Bosworth Boar Badge

iBase ID

17617

Title

Bosworth Boar Badge

Description

The boar is the symbol of Richard III's household. The fact that it is gilded silver suggests it would have been worn by a high ranking person, close to the King. This alone is very interesting, but the fact that it was recovered from the site identified as the marsh where Richard is said to have been cut down in battle means that this little piggy is very important indeed! The Boar has helped us to confirm that we had indeed found the Battle of Bosworth Field and the very spot where the last king of England to die in battle actually fell.

It is complete except for the lower part of three of its legs. It has patches of gilding behind its ears, on its hind leg, tail and across the row of bristles along its back. This would suggest that the whole surface was heaviliy gilded originally. The reverse contains a single sub rectangular patch of solder, which would have held a pin in place.

LCC ID. No.

X.A19.2011.0.0

Image Use

Personal use only unless otherwise agreed

Notes

Held at the Bosworth Battlefield Centre

Visit Bosworth

For further information about the artefacts depicted please contact: museums@leics.gov.uk

Exhibitions with this image

The Bosworth Boar

Date: 1485

Object Details:

The Bosworth Boar is a silver-gilt livery badge depicting a boar and was recovered from the edge of Fen Hole, a medieval marsh. The Boar image was King Richard III's own personal emblem and would almost certainly have been worn by a Knight of King Richard's retinue. The Bosworth Boar is a vital clue in locating the site of the battle and also in pinpointing what could be the exact location where King Richard III died.
The Battle of Bosworth fought between Richard the III and Henry Tudor on the 22nd of August 1485 was the last time that an English King was killed leading an army into battle. The exact location, which has been the topic of much debate amongst historians for years, was discovered as part of a groundbreaking archaeological survey.
Bosworth archaeologists have been looking for evidence of a medieval marsh, as historical documents and written accounts say that Richard III is said to have lost his horse in a marsh - could this be the place where Richard died?

The latest discoveries pinpoint the exact location of Bosworth Battlefield, and shed new light on the way the battle was fought and where King Richard III died.

Object Location:

Bosworth Battlefield

Visit Bosworth Battlefield Centre

For further information about the artefacts depicted please contact: museums@leics.gov.uk

Subjects

Archaeology > Artefacts

File metadata

File name

Treasure images 2009T480-A6C834.b.JPG

File size

0.57 MB

File extension

JPEG

Width

1493 px

Height

1606 px

Uploaded on

2013-10-17 12:32:00