One day, Sir Thomas Moyle was inspecting building work on his new mansion in Eastwell, Kent, when he came across an elderly bricklayer reading a book in Latin – an unheard of ability for a lowly bricklayer! He questioned the old man who said that, as a boy, he was boarded out and a mysterious stranger footed the bills.
Just before the Battle of Bosworth, he was taken to the King’s tent and the mysterious stranger turned out to be Richard III, who publicly acknowledged him as his son. However, Richard was killed, the Tudors took over and the lad ran away. He kept his head down and learned how to lay bricks.
Sir Thomas looked after the old boy until he died and was buried today, 22nd December in 1550. His name is entered into the Parish Register of St Mary the Virgin in Eastwell as Richard Plantagenet – who might easily have become Richard IV…
Just before the Battle of Bosworth, he was taken to the King’s tent and the mysterious stranger turned out to be Richard III, who publicly acknowledged him as his son. However, Richard was killed, the Tudors took over and the lad ran away. He kept his head down and learned how to lay bricks.
Sir Thomas looked after the old boy until he died and was buried today, 22nd December in 1550. His name is entered into the Parish Register of St Mary the Virgin in Eastwell as Richard Plantagenet – who might easily have become Richard IV…
