The Richard III Society held a one-day seminar at the Education Centre of the Tower of London on Saturday 25 March as part of its celebrations for the re-founding of the Society. 

The White Tower

Over fifty members of the Society met at the Education Centre of the Tower for what proved to be an exciting day of talks from leading academics. The first talk was from freelance historian, Dr Michael Jones, whose published credits include Bosworth: Psychology of a Battle  (2002). His theme for the day was the strategy and tactics in the 15th century – Agincourt Revisited and he drew upon his researches for his recent book published by Pen & Sword Agincourt 1415. Dr Jones provided a fascinating account on strategy and tactics in the fifteenth century and on the Agincourt campaign.

He was followed by Dr David Grummitt, a researcher at the History of Parliament Trust, who talked about the French Expedition of 1475 and what the campaign meant to those involved. David’s expertise is based on his extensive research of the Calais Garrison and he edited The English Experience in France c. 1450 –1558. His incisive talk covered the experiences of those involved in the campaign, although not all were present, and included William of Worcester, Sir John Paston, the merchant William Ross and William, Lord Hastings.

Dr David Grummitt's recent paper on 'The French Expedition of 1475 and what it meant to those involved', presented at the seminar held in the Tower of London on 25 March 2006, is now available onlilne.

Chris Gravett, formerly with the British Museum, Royal Armouries, the Department of Tower History, and who is now the curator to the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey, gave a demonstration on the arming of a knight. Assisted by two ‘squires’ and a narrator, the myth of the knight being overly cumbersome was dispelled once and for all. Chris has written many books on all things ‘knightly’ and many of these are available from the military history publishers Osprey.

The final speaker was Professor Anthony Goodman, who retired from the University of Edinburgh five years ago. Prof. Goodman has written two books on the Wars of the Roses and it was the latter book, published in 2005, that he based his talk – ‘The recruitment, array and training of troops during the Wars of the Roses’. This proved to be an enlightening perspective on those who actually made warfare possible.

From left to right:
Dr David Grummitt, Professor Anthony Goodman and Dr Michael Jones.

The Society offers its thanks to all the speakers and to the Education Department of the Tower of London who made the event possible.