Have you come across the BBC TV film ‘Bus to Bosworth’, made in 1975? Actor Kenneth Griffith led 20 Welsh schoolchildren from Mill Bay to Bosworth Field by coach, telling the story of Henry Tudor’s march to battle in 1485, and visiting all the relevant places along the way. It is a very entertaining and informative film, running for one hour. Hopefully it may be repeated on TV again one day. It was made by BBC Wales at Cardiff, and filmed on location throughout the journey.

With best wishes,
Terry Jones.

I am never one to pass up a good historical mystery, even if I know nothing about it! But looking at the map and thinking about the Dale peninsula and surrounding terrain, I suspect the answer is more military than nautical. Although Dale Fort is of 19th Centruy construction, the peninsular has obvious strategic advantages. It is relatively easily accesible from the sea, but only in defined and therefore defendable places. Land access is across a relatively narrow section of ground – again, defensible, or al least patrolable.

As for other more hospitable landing places, Henry may well have been uncertain of his welcome and therefore the castle was a potential threat, at least until he had established himself. The Dale peninsular is 20k from the bridge at Pembroke – more than a day’s march for infantry, but just about reachable by horseback, if he wanted to send messengers to test the waters before sending ships and men there to land in greater numbers.

Also, I seem to recall from a distant history, that his main purpose was to gather support from the gentry of the area (including my own purported forefathers) who held rich estates across the Pembroke area.

But from a mariner’s point of view, I can see what you mean. i can just imagine the argument between Henry and the ship’s master (with the latter muttering all the way in about lee shores, deep waters for an anchor, and the lack of insurance!)

Good luck with the research.

O.