With thanks to Karen, who brought this to my attention.

The 2010 Winners of Leicestershire’s favourite museum objects have just been announced.  These objects were chosen by public vote from the top 100 items on the ‘Leicestershire Revealed’ website which showcases the county’s finest museum objects.

There were two joint winners:  the silver boar badge which one of Richard III’s supporters lost at Bosworth over 500 years ago and the British toy Action Man, which was designed and produced in Coalville.  The boar can be seen at Leicestershire County Council’s Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre and the Action Man at Snibston Discovery Museum.

For the Ricardian, the boar badge is obviously the more interesting winner.  I can easily identify with the reason given by a woman who voted for the Bosworth Boar: “It conveys as strong a message now as it must have done when its owner wore it into battle.”

However, the reason given by a man for voting for the Action man, “Action Man is still popular – he has his own army of collectors!”, can easily be made to suit Richard as well:  “Richard III is still popular – he has his own Society of fans!”

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities, sums it up:

Both of these items reflect Leicestershire’s true history and identity and show just how wide and vast the county’s history is. On the one hand we have a truly remarkable badge which tells us so much about the battle that was pivotal in shaping the future of England and on the other; we have one of last century’s most iconic toys that was enjoyed by people all over the world.

It is great to see that finally after more than 500 years Richard’s badge is victorious and enjoys the support it deserves!

You can read the full article here, there are also pictures of winners.

Tags: Bosworth, Richard III