Home Dedication About the Authors History Bosworth Field Ceremonies Duties Elizabeth I Events Some Facts Organization The Oath Uniforms Playing the Part Military Bearing and Conduct Safety Commands Stationary Orders Marching Drills Polearm Drills Polearm Transistions Sword Drills Battle Standard Sources Yeoman Cast Pictures 1997 1998 1999 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Thesis Author St George Productions

The Yeomen of the Queen’s Guarde Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regina The Battle of Bosworth Field, 1485 The Yeomen of the Guard is the oldest continuously serving military unit in the world. Henry Tudor founded it in 1485 immediately after his victory over Richard III at Bosworth Field. Henry was a challenger to the throne of England, which he believed had been usurped by Richard. Their armies met at Bosworth Field on Monday, August 22, 1485. Yeomen in Green and White Livery During the Reign of Henry VIII c. 1527 Richard’s army of about 12,000 men began the day at the top of a hill to the East of the battlefield. Henry Tudor’s 5,000-man army began on low ground to the west of the field. To the north waited a third 6,000-man army led by Thomas and William Stanley who had not yet committed to either side. During the battle, in which it seemed Richard was going to be victorious, Henry broke away from the fighting to speak face to face with the Stanleys. His goal was to try to convince them to fight for him. As he was riding with 50 of his soldiers towards the Stanleys, King Richard charged the small group with his cavalry, hoping for a quick victory. It was because of the loyalty and bravery of those 50 men that Henry survived. The Stanleys committed their men to Henry’s cause a few moments later, and so, Henry was victorious. The survivors of Henry’s 50-man escort at Bosworth became the first Yeomen of the Guard. Henry VII created the unit as a battlefield acknowledgement of those survivors. The exact date that the Guard was created is not known. What is known is that the unit was founded within the three-week period between the Battle at Bosworth Field and the official coronation of King Henry VII. Samuel Pegge wrote in 1791 that Henry formed the unit from "a certain nomber as well of good archers, as of diverse other persons, being hardy, strong, and of agilitie, to geve dailye attendance on his person, whom he named Yeomen of his Guard."  Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regis, or "The King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard," was the title Henry granted to his guards and it is still their official title today. The literal translation from Latin is "The Yeomen of the Guard (of the Body) of our Lord the King." Feedback This site best viewed at 1024 x 768. Last updated: March 3, 2009 © 2002 - 2009, St, George Productions, LLC