Execution of Anne Boleyn, just 19 weeks after the death of Henry VIII’s first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Tags: Tudors
Members of The NSW Branch of The Richard III Society were saddened to hear of the passing of long time member Harold Bruce Cadell.
A funeral service in thanksgiving for the life of Harold was held at Harold’s parish church, the beautiful St John‘s Anglican Church, Darlinghurst, on Tuesday, 15th May 2012, and was attended by members of the various groups with whom Harold was affiliated over the course of his long life, including several current members of the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society.
It was a beautiful service and fitting for such a quiet, generous and gentle man. The minister conducting the service spoke warmly and well of Harold, the Christian gentleman , who had been such a loyal and well loved member of the parish community for many years and one whom he obviously knew well. The eulogy was given by a long time friend and work colleague, from whom we learnt so much of the working and social life and success of Harold. It was a beautiful classical Anglican Service and was organised at the behest of the trust company, who handled Harold’s estate.
We were quite chuffed when we were talking to the representative of the trust company at the wake, after explaining who we were, and she said: “ Ah yes, Richard III. I know from Harold how badly maligned he was by those Tudors. ”
Two members of our branch, who probably had known Harold the longest were unfortunately unable to attend. They had suggested that white roses (for the House of York) should be included as they were so close to Harold’s heart. Thus two beautiful sprays of white roses were brought into the church and placed strategically on either side of the coffin. Unfortunately they had been initially forgotten and so those two sprays of white roses were all that could be hastily collected at the last minute from a quick run around the various florists in the area. Our thanks go to the organisers for so quickly and unobtrusively rectifying this oversight. White roses were then handed out to the congregation at the close of prayers around the coffin as it lay in the hearse prior to departure.
We then went across the road to a lovely intimate little café for the wake, where we were plied with copious platters of scrumptious sandwiches, savouries, desserts and tea and coffee. It was all done so beautifully, white table cloths, silver service, white crockery, that Harold – the epitome of fine dining and good taste (those of us who were his guests at lunches can attest) – would have approved.
It was here that we learnt complementary facts concerning Harold’s very active and interesting life. Apparently he began work at the Maritime Services Board as a very junior clerk at the age of 15 in 1935 and worked his way through the ranks to become Secretary of the Board for several years prior to his retirement, which occurred over 45 years later. The words constantly used in reference to Harold were integrity, sincerity, principled, unassuming, generous, kind, unaffected, loyal, steadfast and uncomplicated – all of with which we of the RIII Society who knew him so well concur.
Until recently, he had been a full member of the Society and used to anticipate with hardly concealed impatience the arrival of his quarterly Ricardian Bulletin and the Ricardian and the Chronicles of The White Rose. He used to attend meetings and social events regularly and warmly admitted his debt of gratitude to members for their kindness in keeping him in the loop and informing him of current branch news. Many of us were the recipients of his gracious thank you notes in his beautiful copperplate script. He truly was a man for others. It was a privilege and a pleasure to know him.
In later years he used meet up with branch members to escort them to the church services for Bosworth Memorial Service or Queen Anne’s demise before enjoying lunch with many other members at a favourite Italian restaurant nearby. Harold always used to congratulate the staff on the fine food and the service and express his gratitude for their providing us with such a good open private room for our functions and ensure we left a suitable tip.
It wasn’t long after this that we learnt that, regrettably, he had had to go into care since he’d had several bad falls in the street.
He will be sadly missed by all of us who knew him.
R.I.P.
Tags: NSW Branch
On Saturday 12 May 2012 the Richard III Society NSW Branch held their eagerly anticipated biannual mini-conference in the Southern Highlands, at the Mittagong RSL.
A few of us, who had travelled to Mittagong the day before, met up for an informal dinner in the club’s bistro, being happy meeting old friends and making new ones.
The event was attended by both Sydney-based regulars (some of whom braved the long journey on buses replacing the usual trains) and other members, some coming from as far away as the ACT and Victoria. We were especially pleased to welcome Michael, the chairman of the Victoria branch, and his wife Yvonne, as well as Gillian and Bruce from the South Australian branch.
The presentations were very diverse, with competent speakers from a wide range of backgrounds. David Mee spoke on ‘Medieval Coins’ and brought examples of types of coinage from across the centuries, including one from the era of Richard III.
Judith Hughes spoke on ‘Eleanor Talbot, the Spurned Queen’, being the hapless lady the self-serving young Edward IV secretly wed then ignored for the rest of her life, whilst making a public life with Elizabeth Woodville, with whom he had his large brood.
Karen Clark spoke on ‘John Nevill’s Feud and the Destruction of a Family’, an area of particular expertise and one on which she is writing a book. Her detailed grasp of the generations of family members and their competition was impressive. The Percy family still survives, although the Nevilles are long gone, she mentioned in conclusion.
Kevin Herbert spoke on the ‘Royal Relicts’ – the widows of the kings. His handout was chockfull of details worth knowing, and his presentation a highlight of the day.
Lynne Foley and Dorothea Preis critiqued Ricardian books they had recently read. Lynne favourably reviewed Margaret of York: The Diabolical Duchess by Christine Weightman. Dorothea told us about the recently published Richard III by David Baldwin, which has its good points, but does not offer much new for someone well versed in the period. Her wise counsel saved us all some cash and precious time by knowing which books we could safely skip.
Doug and Leslie McCawley spoke about their favourite Ricardian books, having been invited on short notice to replace a speaker who had to cancel. They chose the ever-popular Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey, The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Penman, and Some Touch of Pity by Rhoda Edwards.
Julia Redlich spoke about how Richard III has been presented on stage across time.
Helen Portus and Denise Rawling spoke on ‘Richard III the Posthumous Hunchback’, getting audience members to question what we accept on face value in the media, and encouraging us to be discerning consumers of received opinions and so-called histories.
Ann Chandler gave us a comprehensive (and tricky) 4-page quiz to complete during the day, then graded the results and announced the winners. The more cowed amongst us did not hand our quizzes in, admitting defeat early on! Our congratulations went to Karen for winning by achieving 47 out of 50 possible points.
In addition to the speakers, other attractions included a Bring and Buy table, the sale of the books from the lamented dissolution of the once fine branch library, Ricardian pens, bags and brooches for sale, and best of all the opportunity to catch up with friends in a leisurely manner.
At the conclusion of the day, the representatives of the Victoria branch surprised us by presenting the NSW branch with a beautiful table runner in Yorkist murrey adorned with white roses. We were delighted and would like to give a big ‘thank you’ to our friends from Victoria!
A number of attendees chose to stay for the weekend so the festivities continued after the conference proper with dinner out and a day to explore the attractions of the area. The weather was sparklingly clear and cool, and the venue well chosen. Thanks to the organisers for another successful and pleasurable branch event.
Leslie McCawley
Members, who decided to stay on at Mittagong, as well as several partners met up on Saturday evening for dinner with lots of interesting talk and laughter on a wide variety of topics. We discovered that most of us were addicted to Phryne Fisher on Fridays and Miss Marple on Tuesdays – how we loved the fact that Mrs Lancaster was the baddie in a recent episode! Other topics were the Richard III of Horrible Histories, medieval and more modern jewellery. We wondered why so often in information for the general public there seems to be nothing of historical interest before the Tudors came along – quite contrary to what actually happened.
We all enjoyed the food and, when consulting with the delightful waitstaff, we learned that the chef was new. Yvonne from the Victoria branch immediately told them that they were never to let him go! Although it wasn’t a formal Ricardian banquet, the Man Himself was not forgotten in a loyal toast – and the three fingered salute from Horrible Histories.
Dorothea Preis and Julia Redlich
Sunday morning saw us enjoying a long leisurely breakfast. Some farewells were said to those who had to return home, then the rest of us prepared for our excursion to the small Southern Highlands town of Robertson.
One group opted for the swiftest way thanks to SatNav; the other decided on the Scenic Route – and what a reward that was: sunshine, blue skies, green fields, magnificent mansions and extensive gardens behind imposing gates – and the trees wearing their most wonderful autumn colours of red and gold.
Colour was also important in discovering the others at our destination, something made simple by spotting Kevin wearing the super-long scarf in Ricardian colours that Alex had made for our sales table!
It was the monthly market day, so wandering around the stalls was a must. Chilly winters mean the locals are knitters beyond compare! The quality of the huge choice of items from sweaters to babywear and beanies was wonderfully enticing, as were the book selections – and as for the vegetable displays …
The obvious choice for lunch was the Fantastic Robertson Pie Shop, where justice was done to piping hot pastries with a mind-boggling range of fillings. One group then went on an antiques exploration, the other chose to return to Mittagong, put their feet up with the Sunday papers and gather strength for return to the everyday life after yet another rewarding Ricardian weekend.
Julia Redlich
Tags: Conventions, Nevilles, NSW Branch, Richard III
Death of Katherine Woodville, sister of Elizabeth Woodville. She was first married to Henry Stafford, second duke of Buckingham. Her second husband was Jasper Tudor. Her marriage to her third husband, Richard Wingfield, in 1496 was not licenced by the king and her eldest son had to pay her fine after her death. Wingfield requested in his will of 1525 masses for Katherine’s soul, while Jasper Tudor had not mention her at all in his will.
Source: ODNB on Henry Stafford, Henry, second duke of Buckingham
Thank you , Susan, for explaining that the ODNB was wrong and that Jasper Tudor DID include his wife in his will (see under comments).
Tags: Woodville Family
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, named Great Chamberlain and Lord High Admiral of England by his brother Edward IV.
Tags: Richard III
Marriage of Henry II, the first Plantagenet king, and Eleanor of Aquitaine
(Photograph of the tomb of Henry II and Eleanor in Fontevraud Abbey taken by Lainestl; obtained through Wikimedia Commons)
Tags: Family
Birth of Edmund, Earl of Rutland, in Rouen, Normandy. Fifth child and second surviving son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York and Cecily Neville. He died with his father in the Battle of Wakefield, 30 December 1460.
Tags: Family, Richard Duke of York
Battle of Hexham, Northumberland, the end of Lancastrian resistance (under Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset) to Edward IV in the north of England. The Yorkists were led by John Neville (later 1st Marquess of Montagu) and Somerset was wounded and then executed. Henry VI fled and was later found wandering helplessly around Lancashire.
Tags: Battles
Order to Sir Edward Woodville (brother of Elizabeth Woodville) to disband the fleet. The Marquess of Dorset (Elizabeth Woodville’s son from her 1st marriage) had immediately after Edward IV’s death arranged to appoint Sir Edward Woodville as commander of the fleet. The king’s treasure was divided between the queen, Dorset and Edward Woodville. This was possible as the Treasurer of England, Earl Essex, had died just 5 days before Edward IV on 4 April 1483. Richard now promised a pardon to all involved, and all but two ships returned to England. Woodville, however, fled with the treasure to Brittany and Henry Tudor.
Tags: Woodville Family
9
May
Vale, Harold Cadell
We regret the passing of an enthusiastic and loyal member of the NSW Branch, Harold Cadell, on 4 May 2012.
Harold Cadell was a member of the Sydney Branch from its early days and always stout in defending Richard III’s reputation. He was a courteous and well-read man, but in latter years, age got the better of him and he no longer could come along to meetings. Those who knew him will remember him as a kindly and quiet presence, with just that tad of flamboyance that was rather fun.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, 15 May 2012, in Darlinghurst.
The NSW Branch would like to extend our sympathy to his family and friends.
Tags: NSW Branch
