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22 August 1485
Henry Tudor, earl of Richmond, defeats Richard III in battle near Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, after invading England to pursue his claim to the throne. Henry is descended from the Lancastrian royal John of Gaunt, while the Yorkist Richard seized the throne from his nephew Edward V, the rightful ruler, in 1483. Although Richard chooses a strong position on Ambien Hill, his numerical superiority is offset by the last-minute defection of Lord Stanley to Henry. During the battle, Richard is killed while fighting on foot; his naked body is slung over a horse and buried in an unmarked grave in nearby Leicester. Henry Tudor is crowned Henry VII. |
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