Time Team Specials

The Battle of Bosworth was the decisive battle of the Wars of the Roses. It was the beginning of the end of three decades of treason, rebellion and dynastic warfare. Against huge odds, Henry Tudor won the day to take the English Crown. It was a turning point in English history, the end of the Middle Ages and the savage beginnings of the country we recognise today. For five years, a team of archaeologists have been combing this blood-stained ground. What these archaeologists have found is changing the entire understanding, not just of this iconic battle, but the very nature of warfare at this time.

Experts now believe that the battle was not only fought in an entirely different place from the 'official' site but that gunpowder weapons, including large cannon, were used in far larger numbers than previously thought.

In order to test these theories the team build and fire replica cannons and cannon balls, and deploy sophisticated ballistics cameras. The team visit a neutron facility where archaeological scientist Evelyne Godfrey is making 3D tomography images of the cannonballs.

The conclusions they draw radically change the view of medieval warfare being ruled by knights in shining armour.