One story about the rebuilding of the church bears repeating - though goodness knows how much truth there is in it. According to this tale, John de Vere was one of the most influential followers of Henry, Earl of Richmond, in his struggle with Richard III. De Vere helped Richmond defeat the king at the Battle of Bosworth and take the throne as Henry VII, the first of the Tudors. After the defeat of Richard III, de Vere suggested to the townsfolk of Lavenham that they might like to rebuild their old parish church in grand style to give thanks for the Tudor victory. The wealthy merchants agreed, and work began in 1486. So, do we owe this wonderful building to a town's gratitude for the victory of Henry VII at Bosworth? It seems a trifle unlikely, and a rather simplistic explanation, but it makes a good story.

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