Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485 while defending his crown against Henry Tudor. His death ended his two-year reign and more than three centuries of Plantagenet rule in England.

Henry had landed at Milford Haven in Wales on 7 August after years in exile. His claim to the throne was weak by inheritance, but he gathered supporters as he marched through Wales and into England.

Richard moved to meet him. The two armies faced each other near Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, with Richard commanding the larger force. A third body of troops under Thomas Stanley and his brother Sir William Stanley remained separate. Thomas Stanley was Henry’s stepfather, but the brothers had not openly committed themselves to either side.

Richard had tried to secure Stanley’s loyalty by holding his son, Lord Strange, hostage. Even so, the Stanley forces remained outside the main fighting when the battle began.

As the battle developed, Richard saw Henry with a relatively small group of supporters and led a mounted attack towards him. Richard’s men reached Henry’s immediate defenders, bringing the king close to his rival.

Sir William Stanley then committed his troops against Richard. Richard’s force was overwhelmed, and he was killed in the fighting.

Henry survived and was proclaimed king as Henry VII. He was crowned later that year and married Elizabeth of York in 1486, strengthening his position after years of conflict between the rival royal houses.

Richard was the last English king to die in battle. His death at Bosworth ended the Plantagenet dynasty and left the throne to the first Tudor king.