We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our next general meeting on 12 August. Our speaker will be HSC student, and Society member, Christopher, who will be presenting his research on Richard III, entitled “The Changing Perceptions of Richard III over Time.”

We will also have a ‘Bring and Buy’ table to pass on Ricardian related books, memorabilia and other interesting items. Please be sure to take home what does not sell, as we have no storage space onsite.

There will also be a Scrabble letter draw by those members willing to prepare and give a presentation on an apt topic at the first meeting of 2018.

As per usual, the meeting will be held at the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, CBD, at 2 pm.

Members of the New South Wales branch of the Richard III Society will be sad to hear of the passing of John Shaw, the husband of long-time member Margaret Shaw.

John Eric Shaw was an Antarctic Researcher and a scientist with CSIRO. He was not a member of our Society, but a welcome attendee at many of our occasions celebrating events in the life and times of Richard III. John’s knowledge and humour made his company such a pleasure. How we missed him when his health prevented him from joining us.

Many of us have partners, family, and friends who, even when if not members of the Richard III Society, give us interested support that is beyond value. Our love and thoughts are with Margaret (“Maggie”) and her and John’s large and loving family.

Julia Redlich

TROUBADOUR, by Isolde Martyn,
Published by Harlequin Mira, rrp $24.95.ISBN 9781489220370

Members of the New South Wales branch of the Richard III Society will have read and enjoyed our fellow member Isolde Martyn’s historical novels. Most of them have concerned real people from the period that interests us most: from Katherine Bonville to the Duke of Buckingham,  and women who play a role in Edward IV’s life – Elysabeth Woodville and Elizabeth “Jane Shore” Lambard. Her presentation of real characters and the events of their time in English history is always combines romance with impeccable research.
Now be prepared to take a step back a century or two  to a world of deception and danger, love and loyalty where the violence and cruelty of a religious war not only appals us, but sadly seems so terrifyingly familiar.
At the centre of it all are Adela, a lowly attendant to King John’s queen, Isabella, and Richart (note this spelling is correct) Lord of Mirascon in the far south of France. They first see each other at Corfe Castle where Richart is negotiating an alliance with King John to protect his land and his people.
Fleeing England and the king’s lust, Adela makes her way to France where she joins the entourage of John’s discarded mistress Lady Alys. She is on her way south,destined for a political marriage with Richart, but a unexpected fiery and vicious attack leaves only a few survivors who finally reach Mirascon where  Adela, still beautiful despite all the dramatic hardships, is acclaimed as Alys, the Lord of Mirascon’s bride to be.
No more plot lines from now on! But know you will meet both loving and evil kinsfolk, memorable historical characters, some traveling troubadours ( whose genuine songs are important)  and some delightfully clever characters you may well wish were your friends. How they all fare in fighting for what is right against the massive army leading Pope Innocent III’s crusade  against the Cathars or Albigensians is told with ruthless reality –so be prepared. It is can be uncomfortable, even distressing –but as the pages turn,  reason, dreams and  love bring hope.

Note: Thanks to Isolde who, as always, provides a list of characters, real or otherwise, and a welcome glossary of medieval terms and translation from Occitan (the language of Languedoc at the time).

We are pleased to announce the World Premiere of 4th episode of Searching for Richard III – One Man’s Journey by documentary film maker Mark Porter
Sunday 20 November 2016 6pm
Valley Kitchen, 290 Wellington Bundock Drive, Kooralbyn Qld
$20 including film and dinner
Contact: Mark Porter on 0412 231 902

You can see the first three episodes of the mini-series online:

EP1 “Bosworth”

EP2 “Leicester”

EP3 “York”

November 1st saw the New South Wales Branch welcoming Ricardians from Victoria, Queensland and South Australia to the conference held between biennial conventions. The Society’s Vice President Rob Smith from New Zealand also found time to join us. The Manor House Hotel in Albury was a great venue – all those beams and white roses everywhere made us feel quite at home. However, as Queenslander Peter Stride commented at the start of his presentation “Mock Tudor is not a style; it’s an order!”

The first evening saw registration, dinner and reunion with old friends and making new ones, plus a viewing of a cleverly abridged version of The Trial of Richard III. A prompt start on Wednesday introduced a series of great presentations such as the oft-ignored battle of Ferrybridge, and a look at the town of Gloucester in Richard’s day. We were introduced to Dr Hobbys, “the promiscuous king’s promiscuous doctor”, followed by a colourful talk about Jacquetta of Luxemburg – and her husbands! After lunch the portrayal of Richard III by Sir Thomas More and Shakespeare were discussed and we learned some historical deaths were not always what might have been recorded. Then a trip to London and a great guide to where everyone we’ve read about in Richard’s time lived. The final presentation was on what went on behind the scenes in Leicester in March 2015. King Power was obviously at work …

The day wound up with the raffle draw and final session at the sales table before preparing for the banquet with Kevin’s challenging quiz and toasts to absent friends, to Richard III and the Richard III Society.

Conclusion: more please! Some of us find it hard to meet up with our good Ricardian friends in distant parts only once every two years.

Tuesday November 1, 2016, is a significant day for local Ricardians for the conference that  New South Wales Branch organises between biennial Australasian conventions. Longtime members Helen, Denise and Kevin made initial plans that gained ground with other Branches at the convention in New Zealand last year, and they have been the efficient organisers for the event at the Albury Manor House in the city sitting comfortably on the borders of New South Wales and Victoria.

Delegates are travelling from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and New Zealand on Tuesday to enjoy a Melbourne Cup high tea and an evening of reunion and Ricardian discussion before the next day’s programme of presentations of a great array of subjects of medieval interest with Richard III naturally taking centre stage. There is a challenging quiz, a rewarding raffle and a special sales table to empty pockets – and maybe find gifts for unexpected guests at Christmas time! The day ends with the traditional banquet when delegates are invited to come dressed as a medieval personality if they wish.

Here’s to another welcome reunion of old and new friends and fellow Ricardians.

We are pleased to provide some more information on the agenda and speakers for the Mini Conference to be held on 2nd November in Albury NSW.

Peter – Dr William Hobbeys – the personal physician to the Yorkist dynasty and who continued in this role to Elizabeth of York and her offspring till his death . He will also do an analysis of medieval medical studies , training etc.

Hazel – Jacquetta of Luxembourg.

Michael – The Decisive Battle of Ferry Bridge – the prelude to York’s convincing win at Towton\Touton  , in 1461.

Carol – The Gloucester city of Richard’s time.

Anne – The nobility and their homes .

Rita –  The sources upon which The Bard drew in writing his wonderful play.

Julia – The Midsummer Murders perpetuated throughout time.

Glad to report we have members attending from : N.Z. , Qld , A.C.T., Victoria , South Australia and of course  N.S.W.

Helen , Denise and Dorothea are presenting an edited version of their DVDs re the recent re-internment and we hope David Johnson will see his way clear to join them.

If time permits there will be some group activities involving knowledge of the medieval period in general and Ricardian times , in particular :-
a) Ricardian Celebrity Heads .
b ) Medieval History Relay.
c) An individual quiz to be handed out at registration and  completed prior to Medieval Banquet .

Please click on the links below to download Information and registration forms for the 2016 Biennial Mini Conference.

The registration form contains information on where to send once it is completed.

Richard III 2016 registration form

Richard III 2016 conference info

The above forms are in PDF format. The following forms are the same as above but in document format and the registration form can be completed using Microsoft Word or similar PC program.

RIII Mini Conference 2016 Registration Form

Richard III Mini Conference 2016 Information and Contacts

We are pleased to publish on our web site the excellent article on Cardinal Morton by Isolde Martyn and the  possibility that Stonyhurst College may now undertake a reconstruction of Morton’s head.

Please click on the link below to read the article.

  CARDINAL MORTON article