A local Leicester artist, Brad Cooke, has been commissioned to create a stained glass window for the visitors’ centre, currently under construction in the building of the former Alderman Newton’s School in Leicester, next to spot where Richard was originally buried in the church of the Greyfriars in 1485.

The window, 2.8m high and 2.3m wide, will feature Richard III, Anne and their son Edward, all life-sized.  As Richard died in battle, he will be shown in a full suit of armour, probably in silver and gold, clutching his sword and crown.

To make the piece “thought provoking” Richard will be slightly separated from his wife and son.  The plan is to display Anne in the colours she was married in and to drape Edward in the national flag of that time.

The window will be back-lit with three lights, which would go off one by one in the order in which the three family members died to relate to the story.

Stained glass has been used in churches since the 7th century, so this craft which Richard would have known in his lifetime is very suitable for a depiction of him and his family.

More information:

‘Richard III Visitor Centre to get life-sized window of King’, BBC News Leicester (18 January 2014).
Peter Warzynski, ‘Richard III: Knighton artist Brad creating stained glass window of king for visitor centre’, Leicester Mercury (24 January 2014).

Tags: Leicester, Richard III