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One Last discussion topic: Was Richard III a good general?

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Tas (U11050591) on Wednesday, 21st December 2011

  I thought I would start one last topic before this board is closed forever.
  
  Do you think Richard III was a good Commander-in-Chief?
  
  I was rather disappointed by his handling of the Battle of Bosworth. He seemed to have a much better odds on paper. He chose the ground of the battle, an it was bogged ground, therefore allowing for little manoeuvrings. He did not deploy Norhtumberland properly, and finally he should have known that the Stanley brothers were going for treachery. He must have heard of the note on the Duke of Norfolk's tent:
  
  "Jack of Norfolk, be not too bold, For Dickon thy master is bought and sold."
  
  He should have made sure that the Stanleys were nowhere near Henry Tudor.
  
  Perhaps, at that point Richard had lost his zest for a fight. Probably this was quite unlike the last scene in Macbeth, when he says to Macduff:
  
  Lay on Macduff!
  
  What do you think?
  
  There is very little time, so let us have your say as soon as possible.
  
  Tas

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Tas (U11050591) on Wednesday, 21st December 2011

  If I was fighting this battle, I would have had the battle scouted to make sure the ground was firm, not a swamp. I would have deployed Northumberland on the right and Norfolk on the left. I would have kept myself in reserve, to help either of them in case of need and kept the Stanleys In the woods, one on each flank, to attack Richmond from the side when he least expected it.
  
  I would have tried to outflank Henry in the battle.
  
  That way he would have won the battle and the Plantagenet would still be kings of England.
  
  Tas

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by raundsgirl (U2992430) on Thursday, 22nd December 2011

  
  
  Naughty Tas! Are you trying to provoke a final duel to the death between Minette and Catigern?
  
  Goodbye, my friend. I shall think of you when I hear "Espana" and I hope you will remember me whenever you write 'Courts Martial'

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by CASSEROLEON (U11049737) on Thursday, 22nd December 2011

  Tas
  
  There is a difference between being a Commander in Chief and a general. I suspect that Richard III was not very good at being either.. Minette tells us what a courageous fighter he was, but then so was Harold Godwinson, whose military credentials were largely based upon skirmishes with the Welsh across the border- and I think that William outclassed him as both general and commander in chief.
  
  As for ferval's comment it is a pity (I think) that Catigern's "raids" seem to be only aimed at skirmishing- encouraging conflict and then retreating to his fastness.
  
  Merry Christmas on this D'Day
  
  Cass

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Tas (U11050591) on Thursday, 22nd December 2011

  Hi Raundsgirl,
  
  You will think of me when you hear "Espana", but what assurance do you have that I will continue to spell 'Courts Martial' as that, instead of reverting to my old way of 'Courts Marshall.' It would be so much better if you were around to make sure I was weaned of my previous silly ways. Why don't you join us all at Englistory, where Gran and Temperance, and Cass are all together or some other very good friends of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ board at Jiglu:
  
  Anyway, if this is near the last time, then it has really been a pleasure. I have checked where Raunds is located on Google Earth. If I am England, I might even visit it. You never said whether you still live there or used to in your childhood and just have fond memories of it. Fondest regards, and a very Merry Christmas!
  
  Tas

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Tas (U11050591) on Thursday, 22nd December 2011

  I suspect in medieval times, they mixed up the art of Generalship with being just brave. You can be brave on the field of battle, you can mount a great charge at your adversary as Richard III did at the Earl of Richmond, but the task of a General is to stay back and deploy his various contingents and his various generals according to the needs of the battle.
  
  The mistakes Richard made at Bosworth were also made by James IV at Flodden Field. Instead of staying back and taking charge of the battle, he insisted on being at the front of his army. He also gave them unwise tactics for the type of a battle he had chosen. No wonder the poor Scots were massacred. Almost every famous clan lost its leader. If he had stayed behind and directed his army, there may have been a Scottish victory; or at least a more orderly retreat.
  
  The Commander of a battle, and even more the King must realize he has far more important things to do than just prove his bravery. I think Richard got lost in the Medieval idea of Chivalry; I don' t think he used his head sufficiently on that historic day. He lost to a poor General, Henry Tudor!
  
  Tas

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by raundsgirl (U2992430) on Thursday, 22nd December 2011

  
  I do indeed live there, Tas, OH and I moved back here in 1996

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Tas (U11050591) on Thursday, 22nd December 2011

  Hi Raundsgirl,
  
  I see it is not too far from Cambridge, Bedford is to the South and Northampton is to the West. Why is it so nice? Is it worth a visit?
  
  Tas

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