We know historical novelist Anne Easter Smith through her books A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York and The King’s Grace, all of which are favourites with a lot of Ricardians.
She was recently interview by the Examiner Pittsburgh, where she talks about her previous novels as well as the upcoming Queen by Right, which is about Cecily Neville, the wife of Richard Duke of York and mother of Richard III. You can read this interesting interview here.
Tags: Books, Family, Ricardian Authors, Richard III
To fit in with our Scottish theme of Win’s fascinating talks, Showtime Premiere is showing on Wednesday, 24 November 2010, at 18h35 the movie “The Stone of Destiny”.
It tells the story of the attempt by four young members of the Scottish Nationalist Party to regain the Stone of Destiny, that icon of Scottish Independence. The film is based on the book by one of the four, Ian Hamilton.
This could not have been timed better. Find out more here.
Tags: Scotland
My daily Google alert recently included an item about a theatre scandal in 1885.
In that year at least 59 students of the Ohio Wesleyan University in the US were suspended for skipping mandatory chapel and attending a performance of Shakespeare’s “Richard III” at the Delaware Opera House instead.
At that time church leaders regarded the theatre as being “detrimental … to the morals” and students of the University were not allowed to attend any performances. However, the pull of the celebrated Shakespearean actor Fredrick Warde was stronger than the ban on theatre visits and the students went to see him perform in “Richard III”. When the University administration found out, 59 students were suspended. They were allowed to continue their studies only if they re-signed their matriculation cards as well as a confession of their wrong doing and promised not to break the rules again.
This attitude changed though not long after and Shakespeare has a strong tradition in the University’s drama department and one of his plays was performed in nearly every year in the 20th century. This year this event will be dramatized and included in their 2010 Heritage Day under the title “Stand and Be Counted: Risking It All for the Stage.”
It seems Richard III has for a long time inspired an independent way of thinking. I just hope that they also approached the historical Richard with the same challenging spirit to accepted orthodoxy.
You can read the news release from Ohio Wesleyan University here.
Tags: Richard III, Shakespeare
Should you feel like escaping the heat of an Australian summer (not that we have noticed much summery weather so far!), why not head to Wakefield? To commemorate the 550th anniversary of the Battle of Wakefield on 30 December, Wakefield Museum is organising a “Battle of Wakefield Exhibition”.
The organisers tell us that the exhibition “looks at the lead up to this infamous battle, the characters involved and its effect on England’s history.” They promise to excite the visitor with rare and fascinating objects. However, the “specially commissioned comic strip of the battle” does intrigue me and I would love to find out more.
The exhibition runs from 16 October 2010 to 29 January 2011. You can find out more here.
Tags: Battles, Richard Duke of York
We have reviewed this new book by Peter Hammond for your information. Read the review here.
The book is a thorough analysis of the lead up to the Battle of Bosworth and the battle itself, based on the recent discovery of the actual spot where the battle was fought. Fascinating reading!
Tags: Battles, Books, Henry Tudor, Ricardian Authors, Richard III
This is the third part of Win’s talk about Scotland which was presented to our Branch on 9 October 2010.
James III of Scotland reigned 1460-88. He cultivated friendship with England by a marriage being arranged between his son James later IV and Edward IVs 3-year-old daughter the Lady Cecilia. This marriage did not take place as it was cancelled by Edward IV.
James IV of Scotland
When negotiations broke down skirmishing broke out between the two countries. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Edward IV, Henry Tudor, Richard III, Scotland
This is the second part of Win’s interesting talk presented to our Branch on 9 October 2010.
On February 4th, 1818, a group of distinguished men, including the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Senior Legal Representatives, the Commander in Chief of the Army and Sir Walter Scott, the poet and author, gathered outside the sealed door of the Crown Room in Edinburgh Castle.
Scott’s pleas to the Prince Regent, later George IV, had resulted in a Royal Warrant permitting him and Officers of the State to open the Crown Room. Masonry was removed from the doorway. Inside was a great oak chest.
They approached it apprehensively because there was a strong suspicion that the chest would be empty and that the Honours had been spirited away. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Scotland
This is the first part of the fascinating talk Win presented to our Branch on 9 October 2010.
The Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland that is the present Regalia have separate histories as they were never used together in a coronation.
The Stone of Destiny is the block of sandstone on which the ancient Kings of Scotland were crowned at Scone until it was stolen by King Edward I who took it to London where it was housed in Edward the Confessor’s chair until it was returned in 1996 except for a brief period in 1950 when four young Scottish Nationalists repossessed it.
The myth of the origin of the Stone is traced back to Biblical times when it is supposed to have been the pillow on which Jacob rested his head when he dreamed of the angels climbing up their heavenly ladder. It was acquired by Scota, daughter of a Pharaoh of Egypt and brought to Ireland and then to Scotland by Kenneth M’Alpine who became King of the Picts and Scots in 843 AD. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Scotland
On Saturday 9 October 2010, 21 Members and Friends of the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society gathered for our AGM. The interest was high as there was to be a two-part talk given by long-time member Win Tonkin after the business of the day had been concluded. We were pleased to welcome Rosemary back to the group, as well as our Friend from the Dorset, UK, Richard III Society Group, Babs Creamer, who was in Australia to attend her grandson’s 18th birthday party. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: NSW Branch, Scotland
We heard from Susan Higginbotham of the American Branch that her latest historical novel Queen of Last Hopes is supposed to come out in the US on 1 January 2011. An idea for a belated Christmas present? The Queen of the title is Margaret of Anjou and promises to be fascinating reading for anyone interested in the period.
By the way, I spotted Susan’s previous book The Stolen Crown the other day at Abbey’s in the city. This novel deals with the Ricardian period through the eyes of Katherine Woodville, the wife of Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.
To see more about Susan’s books, have a look at her website!
