AIM

Against the background thought of embedding art to help the landscape find its voice, we developed a conceptual framework that actually has two stories to tell. There is the story of one day in 1485, and there is the story of the 500 year shadow it has cast through the historical account.

By moving from one to the other we are able to present a story-within-a-story that begins half a millennium ago and runs right up to today - and on into the future. A combined story broken down into 5 chapters, each of which relates to a significant location in the landscape.

Chapter 1: Calm before the Storm

Chapter 2: The Storm Breaks

Chapter 3: The New Order (not yet built)

Chapter 4: The Healing

Chapter 5: Piecing Together the Past

CONCEPT

Each artwork in its location has been embedded in its setting well enough to tell its part of the story. But these are artworks, not illustrations in a history book. They must pull people into the story by reaching beyond historical details to touch universal themes we can all relate to.

Linking each location is a walking trail that takes us through the landscape. The process of leading us from one chapter to the next is cumulative, in the sense that the trail is taking us not just from field to field, but on a journey through a story.

Hence, completing the trail brings with it a sense of having arrived at an understanding - of the landscape, of a slice of history, of themes we see being played out in the world around us.

DESIGN PROCESS

The sculptures developed through an extensive engagement process, which spanned a significant number of years.

Through throughly understanding the site and context, the individual pieces respond to both the landscape and the history.

PROCESS

Below are some examples of the design boards developed throughout this process.

Chapter 5: Piecing Together the Past

Located in the courtyard of the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre on Ambion Hill. This symbolic sculpture of a two sided coin portraying both Richard III and Henry VII speaks to the detective work of archaeology and the ever-evolving nature of historical understanding

Chapter 4: The Healing

Set within the churchyard ofSt James the Greater Church in Dadlington and is intended to be a gentle, resonant representation of grief, reconciliation, and the long road to peace.

Chapter 2: The Storm Breaks

Captures the chaos, uncertainty, and mythic scale of the Battle of Bosworth Field and stands close to the actual location where Richard is believed to have launched his final, fatal cavalry charge. It can be found at Fenn Lanes near Bosworth Battlefield

Chapter 1: The Calm before the storm

Carved from elegant white Portland Stone and rests upon a base of polished black granite, depicting King Richard III kneeling in solemn contemplation. It can be found in St James’ Churchyard, Sutton Cheney

The trail officially launched on the 22 August 2025 – the 540th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth – and was commemorated by the Bosworth 1485 Festival of History