David Maddox: Yesterday’s history and for the vanquished there is never the chance of a final right of reply

THE news that archeologists may have at last found the final resting place of one of England’s most controversial kings may act as a timely reminder for politicians from across the UK that history is unkind to losers.

Richard III is perhaps most famous for offering his “kingdom for a horse” as he was about to meet his bloody end at the Battle of Bosworth field in 22 August 1485 but he lost far more than his crown that fateful day.

This writer was once a member of the Richard III Society which largely dedicates itself to clearing the good name of the much maligned monarch.

Following his defeat the victor, a Welshman Henry Tudor who became Henry VII, ensured that the name of Richard III would continue in infamy.

So it was that he was given a hump – added to his portraits – and branded the murderer of the Princes in the Tower.

The political spin carried on two generations and was completed by Shakespeare in what many consider to be the best of history plays which completely transformed the image of the deformed murdering monster from whom the Tudors rescued England.

The truth is that while he became king in controversial circumstances, Richard was a decent and reforming ruler, brave fighter who had no deformity and almost certainly did not murder his nephews. But none of that matters, it is popular memory of history that counts not what went before.

Former Labour Prime Minister Jim Callaghan may have some sympathy with this with the famous misquote in 1979: “Crisis? What crisis?” He of course never said it.

The Tories are still blighted in Scotland by popular myths that has become true. Scotland was not used to test out the poll tax as is always believed and Margaret Thatcher did not close down the old Ravenscraig steelworks.

John Major’s astonishing victory in 1992 is now often forgotten compared to the Tories’ annihilation in 1997.

Tony Blair is now best remembered for Iraq which has overshadowed all the reforms and achievements – including devolution – which went before. And Gordon Brown, once the iron Chancellor, is now considered to be a disaster.

The Battle of Bosworth which did for Richard III was an epoch making moment in English history. It ended generations of civil war and ushered in what eventually became a period of innovation and prosperity under Elizabeth I.

But for politicians now it is often elections and perhaps for Scotland a referendum which provide similar moments.

This is why it is being claimed by some that SNP First Minister Alex Salmond is trying to avoid a referendum on independence or at least one with a single straight question.

The evidence at the moment suggests a heavy defeat for the Nationalists and if that were to happen how would history remember Mr Salmond? As the man who led the SNP to power or the one who led it to a crushing defeat?