RICHARD III
Fall of the White Rose

I
Woe, woe for England! Civil war lasts for years.
The aristocracy fights for the throne.

The two roses, red and white. This is the last medieval war.
The kings draw their swords. The kings of England.

Fly Yorkist colours, fly! Our king is rivalled once again.
The young pretender to the throne has returned from France.

Fly, White Boar, fly! Richard is on the battleground.
The noblest son of the land, the last Plantagenet!

II
The reign of Edward IV started at the Towton.
Later at the Tewksbury Yorks became unchallenged.
The formidable Edward reigned for twenty-two years.
When he died there came a time to fight for power.

Richard claimed that former king’s sons were bastard.
They were thrown into the Tower and died suspicious death.
Thus no direct heirs were left, and by the will of God,
Duke of Gloucester became King of England, Richard III.

Two years of Richard’s reign were good for the kingdom,
But in the eyes of many he still was illegitimate king.
A new pretender to the throne emerged from the Tudors.
From France, where we was hiding, he came back with an army.

III
…Oh, motherland England! War and woe for you.
Oh, motherland England! Your sons are discontent.

Oh, Crown of England! Blood and lives are upon you.
Oh, Crown of England! Fly, Yorkist colours, fly!

IV
The battle. The field of Bosworth. Let York be victorious.
Fight, the bold men of England, fight for your King Richard!
Betrayals are now unveiled. Battle’s outcome is uncertain.
Fight, the bold men of England, those who still are loyal!

Yorkists fall. Death draws nearer.
King takes horse and leaves the cover.

The resolute attack. The challenge. The will to face Tudor.
The noble deed made for redemption of all the king’s past sins.

The war has ended as the swords found Richard.
He didn't flee. He died. Noble, brave York.