The New South Wales Branch of the Richard III Society has been on Facebook for quite a while and we would like to thank all our loyal supporters.  Now you can follow us on Twitter, too!

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/NSW-Branch-of-the-Richard-III-Society/269971479692592

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RichardIIINSW

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Our next general meeting will take place on Saturday, 10 August, at the Harry Jensen Centre at 14h00. The speaker will be Dr John Twyford.  Dr Twyford is a lecturer at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS).  He will be talking to us about Medieval Contract Law, and will show us the lesser known aspects of the Magna Carta.  He also indicated that his talk will also cover the burning of witches, so be prepared.

A talk about the Magna Carta is a fitting topic for our August 2013 meeting.  The (northern hemisphere) summer of 2013 marks the 800th anniversary of the first meeting meeting between the barons and the clergy to discuss severe grievances against King John at St Albans, in August 1213.  It was this meeting which ultimately led to the articles that became Magna Carta, sealed at Runnymede two years later in 1215.

Our meeting will more than make up for missing the celebrations planned in St Albans.

Should you not yet subscribe to the ‘Lives of the Week’ by the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, today is a good day to do so.  Today’s ‘Life’ is that of Richard, duke of York, the father of Edward IV and Richard III.

If you subscribe to the ‘Lives of the Day’ you will receive each day one of the biographies of the ODNB by email free of charge.  So even if you don’t have regular access to the ODNB through your library or similar institution, you can read some of their valuable resources.

You can read about Richard, duke of York, for the next week or so and subscribe to the ‘Lives of the Week’ by clicking on this link:  http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/lotw/

The biennial convention of the Australasian branches was held on 12 to 14 July 2013 at the Novotel, Darling Harbour Sydney.  Hosted this year by the New South Wales branch, the convention attracted over 40 attendees from all the wide spread parts of Australasia. Representatives came from New Zealand across to Western Australia and all parts in between.
Registration was on Friday night followed by an informal meal at Pancakes on the Rocks (Darling Harbour branch), which was within easy walking distance from the venue.  Several tables of keen Richardians made a good start to the weekend, setting the scene with good talk and fellowship.

Saturday started with a warm and humorous greeting from weekend Master of Ceremonies Ann (NSW) who introduced the theme for the convention.  As a start to exploring “Richard III: the man behind the myth”, Ann declaimed a pair of clerihews specially written for Richard and I include a sample,

Clerihew 2
In Bosworth Field, did Richard fall
Without a horse, he was nought at all
But forget the nag, and Percy the cheater
My kingdom is for the parking meter.

She also invoked the modern poet Bob Dylan with a final piece of advice ‘don’t trust leaders and watch the parking meters.’ Despite recovering from surgery to an arm injury, Ann gently guided the convention with her special brand of persuasion and humour keeping all on track and informed.

The richly textured programme of speakers began with long term Richardian Peter  from Queensland presenting for the first time at an Australasian convention.  As a consulting physician for 35 years, Peter was very qualified to discuss the various kinds of deformities that Richard has been accused of having and then look at the actual new evidence from the recent discovery at Leicester.  Graphically illustrated with eye catching medical slides and clearly delivered interesting information, Peter’s talk was a fresh and interesting approach.  Though this was Peter’s first appearance at a convention we hope it will not be his last.

Karen (NSW), author and linguist, presented on the Fitzhughs of Ravensworth with a focus on Henry Fitzhugh, a prominent northern lord of a prominent northern family.  This detailed and interesting examination was enlivened with shots of humour.  Karen was an illuminating and knowledgeable guide to the turbulent events of the War of the Roses, following Henry whenever she could see him.  Bringing historic names to life as a good novelist can, Karen brought strong research and human details together to bring the historical figures to life.

Beautifully illustrated with photos from her research in Norfolk, Carole’s (WA) presentation on iconography in medieval churches was informed and revealing. As well as the beautiful carved images made for the main public sections of the churches, she also showed many of the small details tucked away in architectural nooks and crannies.  These ranged from amusing small animals like the singing pigs to fierce demons. This research is part of her doctoral thesis on the relationship between medieval devotional literature and iconography in medieval parish churches.

Chris (NSW) made an arresting comparison of what he identified as the four ‘invasions’ of England and their profound effect on the development of a distinctive English  democracy and parliamentary and governance conventions and the role of monarch.  These were 1. Roman 2. Norman at Hastings 3. Tudor at Bosworth and 4. Willaim and Mary the last of course not a military invasion but one with comparable effects on community and economy.  He drew compelling parallels between these various invasions all of which he contended marked a paradigm shift for English history and culture. The contribution of Richard III was explored with the range of enduring laws and statutes enacted in his short reign.  As a student of political institutions Chris has an enduring interest in how they develop and function.

NSW Branch webmaster and journal editor, Dorothea, looked at one of the lesser known characters of the period, Thomas Barowe, loyal servant to Richard III.  Tracing mentions of Thomas in primary documents, she followed his career under Richard and later under Henry VII.  Following some of the lesser-known characters gives a richer texture to the more mainstream stories adding to our sense of the period and how it was to live and survive and thrive in times so different to our time.

A raft of book reviews of some classic and not so classic offerings and some new additions to Richardian fiction followed.  Gillian (Vic) offered a clear and warm analysis of Rosemary Hawley Jarman’s We Speak No Treason (1971), which she described as a beautifully written book and though detailed, the meshing of the fictional and historical characters was masterly and believable.  A classic, which stood the test of time.  Not so impressed with the new offering of Phillipa Gregory The Kingmaker’s Daughter (2012), Gillian found this novel careless and historically inaccurate, with wooden unengaging characters.  Despite quite enjoying some past novels from this author she could not recommend this one at all.

Hazel (Vic) also picked a classic Richardian text with The Betrayal of Richard III (1959) by V. B. Lamb.  Hazel enjoyed the clear presentation of the case for a reassessment of Richard III reputation, liking Mrs Lamb’s often dry humour and witty style, one which Hazel herself used to make this entertaining talk a reminder of this excellent classic which can be revisited with pleasure.

Margaret (NZ) looked at some contemporary local writers of Ricardian and historical fiction.  The New Zealand branch journal, The Ricardian Times that Margaret has edited since 1985, has a history of supporting fiction writing with the publication of various kinds of original work from an historical Agony Aunt column to stories and poetry. Members Lorraine McArthur and Jane Orwin-Higgs have now had full length works published.  A booklet of short stories from these writers was generously handed out to participants and eagerly taken up.

Moving to a slightly lighter pace, Helen and Denise (NSW) challenged attendees to identify unnamed quotes from a variety of sources on Richard III that they handed out on scrolls. This experimental game, Outrageous Fortune, looks at the changing face of opinion, conjecture and rumour peddled as history on Richard over the centuries.  From well known through malicious to balanced and laudatory, the quotes had the audience on their feet reading out quotes and guessing or naming the authors. After a well earned afternoon tea for all, Helen and Denise moved on to examine the reputation of Richard in light of the Greyfriars find, looking at tweets, humour, worldwide headlines and controversy as the momentous events unfold in a very different world of communications. The hope was expressed that the exciting contemporary story of the finding of the King’s lost bones will take root in popular consciousness providing a counterbalance to the age-old image of the deformed Wicked Uncle.

The formal dinner on Saturday night celebrating the 530th anniversary of the coronation of Richard III was well attended with many in historic costume.  A candle light ceremony opened proceedings accompanied by delightful evocative choral music composed by Graham Keitch who had given special permission for its use on this special night. The crowd was entertained with original songs and theatre presented by NSW members (thanks to Julia, David, Kevin and Philip) in between enjoying more delicious catering.

As the loyal toasts drew to a close, diners were stunned by a magnificent fireworks display that burst over the nearby harbour.  Even discovering that this was a regular event and not another example of the immaculate timing and organization of the NSW branch committee did not lessen the enjoyment of catching a breath of fresh air on the terrace and watching the spectacle.

Watching the fireworks (Photograph by Helen Portus)

Sunday morning provided more contrasts in topics with Chris briefly introducing a new release of a very early film version of Richard III.  This silent film from 1913 is the earliest surviving feature film made in America and features Shakespearean actor Frederick Ward and his company.

Louise (WA) then took attendees on a journey through the wild and turbulent world of 15th century Scotland.  She proved a deft guide to the sometimes complex and often bloody politics and events of this most unsettled times as nobles clashed with monarchs and power shifted frequently.  Invasions, armed encounters, skirmishes and full scale battles followed thick and fast interlaced with treaties and negotiations, in a time when being the Scottish king was a risky career move.  It was a fascinating time with many colourful and vivid characters.

Andrew in full armour (Photograph by Dorothea Preis)

A real life vivid character next strode into the room clothed in full 15th century battle armour.  Following a quick medieval striptease, the next speaker was revealed, slightly sweaty but ready to talk. Andrew (NSW) is an active historical jouster at an international level. Involvement with historical martial combat has given him a good working knowledge of the design, construction and function of medieval armour and for the next hour he spoke and answered a stream of questions from his audience.  During this time he covered the history, function, making and different styles of armour as well as discussing war horses, knight training, knights on horse and foot and then bringing it all together into what happens in actual battle. As well as giving an overview of the knight in his world it was also an introduction into the world of trade and innovation that was generated by the making and selling of this tool of war.  The 15th century is considered the peak of technical development of armour and weapons.  Andrew’s suit was in the English style, so plainer than some continental makes but with wonderfully engineered articulated joints and protection, so it provided a great deal of movement and flexibility.

Following a business session with Rob (Australasian Vice President, NZ), which will be reported separately, the convention closed with an original piece written by Michael (Vic).  Michael has invented the English Broadcasting Guild and written 3 radio style plays that have been ‘broadcast’ by the Guild at different Ricardian events.  In this one, an Interview with Richard III, reporter Reginald Peacock (played by the author) is supported by Hazel delivering a delightful rich BBC accent, Kevin as Francis Lovell speaking about his life with Richard and Rob as Richard himself moving and very human with a well sustained and very real Yorkshire accent. This provided a very suitable ending to a weekend rich with new ideas and information, offering insights and a different angle on the facts and mysteries of Richard’s life and reign.

The closing formalities paid tribute to the NSW branch committee who organised the convention, with Rob proposing a vote of thanks and applause on behalf of the attendees.  Thanks also went to Lynne for her invaluable work on the merchandise stall and to the many others who helped with the raffles and books sales and donated goods and time and energy to this most successful event.

In closing Master of Ceremonies, Ann, commented on the varied and detailed presentations that informed, instructed and entertained in turn and thanked all the speakers for their contributions.

All look forward to the next meeting in 2015 in New Zealand.

Denise Rawling and Helen Portus

Just in time for the weekend we all heard the good news from Leicester that Leicester Cathedral has agreed to a tomb for King Richard III.  You may recall the suggestions that a slab would be more suitable given the constraints of space.  The Richard III Society has always maintained that as anointed king Richard should have a raised tomb.  And the Society was not alone, a poll in the Mercury, Leicester’s local newspaper, resulted in an overwhelming 90% majority for a tomb.  Leicester Cathedral say that they “have listened carefully to the different views that were expressed” and are now planning to bury Richard with honour beneath a raised tomb within a specially created area in the Cathedral.

The news were welcomed by the Richard III Society.  Dr Phil Stone, Chairman of the Society, stated “I think that the design is absolutely fantastic”.  Philippa Langley said:

“I am thrilled that the last warrior King of England is to be honoured with a tomb and that Yorkshire stone is being investigated as the material for it. We had always hoped that any design would convey what was important to Richard in his life but also his move into the light of a new future for his much-maligned reputation. The white rose, I believe, conveys this aspect beautifully and the designers, Cathedral and staff are to be congratulated on all their hard work.”

You can find a press release on this topic on the website of the Richard III Society here.

If, however, the ad hoc poll carried out at the Australasian Convention last weekend is anything to go by, any cathedral would be much too small for the number of people wishing to attend the reburial, at least something the size of a big stadium would be necessary.

I would also like to clarify here the misconception which was fairly often repeated that Leicester authorities had objected to a depiction on Richard’s boar on the tomb, as they were afraid of offending people with other religious believes.  I have been assured on very good authority that this was based on a misunderstanding.

If you are after that extra special gift to the Ricardian in your life, and have the necessary funds, you might like to consider a bid in the silent auction of a unique 18 carat gold replica of a Richard III boar badge,  commissioned by the Yorkshire Museum.  It will be the only gold replica of the badge in existence, accurately based on the rare 15th Century silver badge on show in the museum.  The reserve price is £2000 (approx. $ Aus 3300).  The money raised will go to the museum’s acquisition fund.  More information on the auction, but also on the museum’s boar badge can be found here.

Should this be slightly out of your price range, I believe our Sales Officer Lynne still has some of the pewter boar badges from the Society for sale.  However, of interest to all of us is a short YouTube clip by the York Museum Trust about the ‘York Boar Badge, as worn by supporters of King Richard III (c.1483)’.

All who attended the Australasian Convention will vividly remember Andrew’s terrific talk about medieval armour and jousting, which he delivered in full armour.  Andrew is a jouster and features in another short YouTube clip on modern day jousting featuring some of the jousting from this year’s World Invitational “Grail of Chivalry” jousting tournament at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.

History Matters: Shakespearean Battles at Towton

Helen Cox, author of two excellent books on the Battle of Wakefield, here tells us about her meeting with the Bard at Towton.  We are very grateful to Helen for making this article, which was first published on her blog, Helen Rae Rants!, available to us.  You can find out more about Helen on Herstory Writing & Interpretation.

On Sunday 14th July, history was made again on the battlefield at Towton in North Yorkshire, when the world-renowned Globe Theatre company performed a Shakespearean marathon – all three parts of Henry VI, at the site where some of the action in Part III actually took place in 1461.

I went with some trepidation, I confess; Shakespeare can be hard going, so the prospect of three plays back-to-back, (starting at 12.30 and finishing at 10 pm, with an hour’s break between them), was slightly daunting. However, thanks to Nick Bagnall’s superb direction and an equally superb cast, it was a joy – beautifully interpreted, easy to follow and altogether riveting. I boggled in amazement at what they achieved with imaginative use of a very simple set; no fancy backdrops or painted scenery, just scaffolding towers and a few bits of cloth – but it became everything from the gates of Orleans to Wars of the Roses killing fields to the Tower of London, and much more besides. (You’ll find some pictures of it, and a link to BBC 1′s Breakfast News item about the plays, on the News page of Herstory Writing & Interpretation).

The way the fighting was rendered was also massively impressive. How will they recreate Towton, (a battle where more than 20,000 men are said to have died), with a cast of 14, I’d wondered beforehand. Well, now I know: with the beating of enormous drums, the clash of swords on scaffolding poles, and a handful of actors facing the audience, performing slow-motion, stylised movements with their weapons. It worked beautifully – as did the well-choreographed one-on-one fight scenes that crop up throughout.

Although all the actors were marvellous, Henry VI, played by Graham Butler, was possibly my favourite. I particularly enjoyed his appearance in Part I; as an infant or young child while much of the action takes place, he naturally does not speak; but he was a dominant, silent presence in his central tower, reacting to the dialogue, shrinking in horror from the violence, studying his book or twiddling his thumbs. It was a clever, subtle, very effective way of evoking this hapless king’s character; and sometimes very funny, as when the juvenile Henry reaches down for an important scroll, only to have it whisked away from his groping fingers. Wonderful. But Mary Doherty also played a corking Margaret of Anjou, especially in Part III when she gleefully slays Richard of York. Simon Harrison’s Richard, Duke of Gloucester was another real treat, portrayed as the classic limping, withered-armed hunchback (archaeology has proved that he wasn’t really like that, but the acting had to fit Shakespeare’s script!). And he made a delicious, gloating villain; also very funny, and (not surprising!) warmly received by a Yorkshire crowd.

The performance ended with a sprightly dance on stage and a standing ovation from the audience – and by heck, those actors had earned it. But I wasn’t sorry to go home, because Part III (featuring the Battle of Towton) had given me the heebie-jeebies. As a member of Towton Battlefield Society, I’ve studied, written about and talked about that battle ad infinitum. I’ve ‘met’ some of the battle dead – at least, their poor mutilated skeletons. And as one of the Society’s Wars of the Roses re-enactors, I’ve been on that field (the site of the Lancastrian camp, close to the location of the mass graves made famous by Channel 4′s documentary, Blood Red Roses), at all hours of the day and night. I’ve even slept there on numerous occasions, waiting, hoping, wanting to feel some frisson of atmosphere – but it never really happened until Sunday. Maybe it was listening to the hours of near-contemporary language that did it… for the first time, I felt the full horror of Towton not just intellectually but physically. Yes, it had really happened, right where we were sitting… and as the evening wore on I kept tensing, expecting a rout of exhausted Lancastrians to come panting over the hill, pursued by screaming Yorkists on horseback, cut down and hacked to pieces; expecting to see blood and body parts around my chair; becoming deeply unsettled.

So I have The Globe Theatre to thank for that – not only the most amazing day of drama I’ve ever enjoyed, but the deepest, most poignant connection with the true history I’ve ever experienced on that field. I commend it to you, if you get chance to go; the company are taking it to three more battlefield sites: Tewkesbury on 4th August, St Albans on 8th August and Barnet on 24th August. (It’s also on at various theatres round the country… but it won’t be quite the same indoors!).

Most of you probably heard that the archaeologists of the University of Leicester have after a very eventful winter started digging again.  They want to discover more of the Greyfriars church, where the remains of Richard III were found last year.

The dig started with removing part of a Victorian wall separating the former Alderman Newton School and 6-8 St Martins.  The wall should be rebuilt once the dig is complete.

The plan behind the second dig is to establish the exact layout of the church to establish where Richard’s grave was in relation to the rest of the church.  The archaeologists also hope to find out other details like the size of the church and whether it had a tower or whether it had undergone alterations during its 300 year existence.  During the previous dig, archaeologists had found evidence that the floor had been changed three times.  Three coffins had also been found and it is hoped to find out more about the other people who were buried here.

However, the researchers also hope to go further back into Leicester’s past and hope to find traces what was on the site before the friary was built.  After all, Leicester was an important Roman centre, so they might even find Roman artifacts.

The machines moved in on Monday and have now finished their part.  Now the areas and trenches which had been dug last year will be uncovered.  A viewing platform for the public will also be erected.

To find out more about the second dig follow the blog on the website of the University of Leicester.  A good selection of photos can be viewed on Flickr.

The Ricardian and June Ricardian Bulletin should find their way into your letter box these days – if you are a member of the Society that is.

This Bulletin is a bumper issue with 88 pages of fascinating information.  It has all the regular features, an extended research section with the first regular update about the Ricardian Chronicle project, plus in depth press and media coverage.

There is a feature on scoliosis and what it means for people living with the condition. Some of these questions are addressed, with contributions from the Scoliosis Association UK and from members sharing their own experience of scoliosis.

For ‘The Man Himself’ Peter Hammond writes about Richard III’s diet in light of the examination of the king’s remains. There’s also a contribution from Annette Carson reflecting on the impact and outcome of the Greyfriars dig and Stephen York takes a look at Kingmaker, a board game with a Wars of the Roses theme.

The Ricardian offers  a variety of research articles and book reviews.  Seeing how volatile the weather has become with climate change, the examination of “Richard III, Bridges and Floods” sounds very interesting.  Other articles looks at the Order of the Garter, Bosworth, Scottish women and a friar.

Happy  reading!

On Saturday, 8 June, the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society, was treated to a lecture on Richard III, called ‘Between Two World Orders:  Richard III and the Priority of Politics over Truth’, by Ben Cross.  Ben has almost completed his PhD in political philosophy and discussed the different political views of the world throughout history.

We learned that the Greek idea of cosmic justice (dikaiosune) was challenged around Richard III’s time, when people began to understand that they could create or choose their own place in the world, rather than have it decided for them.  However, the one constant theme in history is that power wins and that ‘truth is what your contemporaries let you get away with’ (Richard Rorty).

Hopefully we will continue to question and uncover the truth about Richard III! Thanks to Ben for his fascinating talk!

We also celebrated Queen Anne’s birthday with a gorgeous cake afterwards.