Anyone who has been reading my blog for some time will know of my long standing interest in Richard III as I've written quite a few posts over the years about him or places connected with him.This last week we've been in Wales on a short break before Paul starts his seasonal job. We never have internet access whilst away and very rarely buy a newspaper, this coupled with the fact that the cable TV was down on the site where we were staying leaving only a few channels available - there are only so many episodes of Noddy in Welsh you can watch no matter how cute it is - that by Thursday I felt I should perhaps find out what was going on in the world and bought a newspaper. I was so glad I did because this article set my thoughts whirling.
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| Article from the 'i' newspaper Thursday 13th September 2012 |
It was only on August 28th (see my last post) that we visited the 'dig' in a Leicester car park where archaeologists from Leicester University were searching for the remains of Greyfriars priory and at the same time hoping against hope to find the remains of King Richard III who, according to records, was buried in the choir of the priory church. Who would have believed that they would actually find any remains at all let alone those of an English King?
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| A print of the portrait of Richard III from the National Portrait Gallery bought and framed for me by a friend for my 21st birthday. |
All the evidence gleaned so far seems to point towards one of the two skeletons found being that of Richard! If the DNA matches that of known descendants then this is marvellous beyond measure. Who'd have thought it possible that Richard's remains would be found after all this time in just a few weeks?
I said as I read out the article 'if it is him, I wonder where he will be re-buried?'. It would be wonderful if he stayed in Leicester but there are a few other options. Possibly York as he was so popular and well-loved there and was indeed a 'northern' King, which politically was part of his downfall, but also his birthplace Fotheringhay (which I visited for the second time earlier this year) where he was born at the castle and where his parents Richard, Duke of York and Cecily Neville are buried in the church. The York chapel there which would be ideal.
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| The York chapel in the church at Fotheringhay - photo taken by me in May this year. |
The DNA test will take 12 to 15 days to process we await the results with great interest, excitement and hope.
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| Sundial on Ambion Hill which offers panoramic views of the site of the Battle of Bosworth. Taken by me at the Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park, July 2011. |
Link - to my post about Fotheringhay
Link - to the latest news from the Leicester Mercury
I read about this too. Shakespeare has a lot to answer for in his 'version' of Richard III. Hopefully he can now be laid to rest somewhere more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI love Shakespeare too and always find it hard to equate the two. I just think that Shakespeare was writing for the Tudors as patrons and had to 'tow the line' in those hazardous days. I think his play Richard III was written very 'tongue in cheek' so that the audience could take it at face value and boo the villain or, by reading between the lines, see how over the top the portrayal was:)
DeleteI agree, bury him York he's too good for London. This is so exciting!
ReplyDeleteIt is exciting, if he can't stay in Leicester then York would be great. I always think of it as his city:)
DeleteI've also been following this news story with real interest. I do hope that one of the skeletons proves to be royal. Jx
ReplyDeleteOf course in all the excitement about Richard no one is wondering whom the other skeleton belonged to - as it is a female it may be one of the nuns from the priory - an important one perhaps?:)
DeleteI thought of your recent article when I read about this in the paper. Lets keep our fingers crossed that it is Richard III!
ReplyDeleteJune
I'm keeping mine firmly crossed!:)
DeleteKeep us all posted. We don't get that kind of news in America.
ReplyDeleteI certainly will, Ruth:)
DeleteYes, I thought about you too when I saw it on the news. Also, the TV coverage of the researchers looked like it was taken in the Guildhall - somewhere just like your photographs anyway.
ReplyDeleteGood grief - do they still do Noddy in Welsh? That really takes me back!!!!
Yes he is still on TV - Channel 4 Wales, in cartoon form of course. We watched him at breakfast time as we were missing BBC Breakfast and the ITV thing is so inane with hardly any proper news:)
DeleteIt's great news. I really hope it's him!
ReplyDeleteOh, me too - it would be wonderful:)
DeleteI agree that it is a truly amazing story - who would have thought it - on King Richards Way as well - I live in Leics. and know the town centre well - always wondered why it was called that - now I know.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about King Richard's Way - I expect the way he went out to or was brought back from the battle:)
DeleteIt is a very interesting story, I'm looking forward to the result, it would be wonderful if the remains are him!
ReplyDeleteIt is all very intriguing isn't it?:)
DeleteThe best place for him to be reburied, I think would be back with his parents at Fotheringhay- then he would complete the circle, having been born there and where his parents lie. I think he is a very interesting and possibly misunderstood character who has been maligned by Shakespeare and so for many hundreds of years had a terrible reputation. I do not think that he murdered the boys in the tower, there were many factions at that time jostling for power.. Whatever happens I do hope he is buried in peace and dignity.
ReplyDeleteFotheringhay was my first thought when I heard that the skeleton may be his - as you say to complete the circle but I'd also be happy for him to stay in Leicester. If it has to be somewhere more important then York. Have you ever read Josephine Tey's 'Daughter of Time'? you would enjoy the detective story re the princes and etc I think:)
DeleteInteresting story.Now Noddy in Welsh may be what I need!I am learning Welsh at the moment and it is soooooooo hard.Something for children would be about my level!
ReplyDeleteWe found it at breakfast time on Channel 4 Wales whilst looking for a news programme - we'd lost all BBC channels:)
DeleteI knew that there would be great excitement at your house when I heard this news. Its amazing! xxxxx
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? I do so hope that the male skeleton they've found is his:)
DeleteHow fascinating! I still remember your post about the dig!
ReplyDeletex
Thanks, Michela. I'd love to go back and see what has been achieved since our first visit:)
DeleteOoh I love a bit of history. Have been following the story. Let's hope it is him - how exciting.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
It is very exciting indeed:)
DeleteIt's so exciting, and thank goodness they found him as his line is about to die out on the female side I believe, the side they need for DNA testing?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if knowing that spurred them on or if it is just fortunate that the skeleton has been found now?:)
DeleteWow what an interesting post! You must have been just bursting with excitement when you saw the article! My Mum is an archaeologist and I cant wait to show your post to her (we are down under in NZ now and she really misses the ancient history of the UK). Take care hon, Becks xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca - hope your Mum enjoys the post and the links to the newspaper reports:)
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