The Richard III Society has published a 72- page record of the reinterment week of Richard III. This Souvenir Booklet is being dispatched to all Society members this week and should reach us soon. This will be invaluable to everyone.
Tomb of Richard III, Leicester Cathedral (D Preis)
The September Ricardian Bulletin, with the Society annual report, is due to be dispatched in the first week of September.
Tags: Leicester, Richard III, Richard III Society
On 8 August 2015, our guest speaker will be Associate Professor Margaret Rogerson, who is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney. She has written many academic papers and articles about early English drama, with particular focus on the York and Coventry plays. Her topic will be the Medieval plays of York. Margaret is the editor of The York Mystery Plays: Performance in the City.
Tags: Mystery Plays, NSW Branch, York
Our Secretary Rachel, Treasurer Judy and Webmaster Dorothea have all advised us that they will not be standing for another term on the branch Executive Committee. At the next AGM coming up in October 2015, all of these roles will need to be filled by other members.
Each of these roles is necessary for the ongoing administration of our Branch, and we are asking for nominations to fill these roles. All officers need to attend meetings of the Executive Committee which are held every second month before the General Meetings. The Secretary and Treasurer need to be full Society members. If you can serve Richard III in one of these important roles, please contact Chairperson Judith.
Tags: NSW Branch
Johanna was a long-time member of the committee of the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society from the first day she joined in the mid-1990s. She and I connected straight away at that first meeting held at the Don Bank Museum, North Sydney. At this meeting Sue Habgood, who had moved to Coffs Harbour, gave notice that she could no longer continue in the role of editor of the Affinity newsletter, so we had find a replacement.
When no-one else stepped up, Johanna offered to “do the deed” as she put it, and indeed continued, as well as producing the first edition of our journal The Chronicles of the White Rose in 2007. Those who wrote articles for Affinity knew Johanna would carefully edit them using her skills and extensive research, resulting in some very professional final features. She used to say editing my copy was not easy as I tended to deliver a tome not only about a character but his or her family and friends that might cover two years’worth of Affinities. She said it was as well I didn’t decide to cover Noah and the Ark as I’d probably include the life stories of each animal on board as well as Noah and his family. The message got through and I learned not to go off in tangents.
One article I researched on the Percy family (the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland) held so much information that Johanna printed it in three consecutive issues even with her clever editing. Then to my dismay a book called The Kings of the North by Alan Rose was published covering all my work in detail. Johanna encouragingly said, “No harm done – you did it first and it didn’t take a book to cover it!”
Her people skills were many. When a former member, keeper of the archives, had to withdraw through illness and had kept all the articles in question, Johanna tactfully approached her, found a willing helper, and before long all the files were in great order – and stored in many containers in the garage of my home. Her positive can-do approach was encouraging. She had a strong sense of justice, could state her case clearly, but was able to concede opposing and superior points of views and agree to differ. But she was no doormat.
Our Branch had taken part in the annual Brit Fest held at Blacktown Showground, promoting the Society and its cause, provoking a lot of interest. Accepting the invitation for the second year Julia and Johanna galvanised us into a great production, with a roster for manning the stall. Carol, Christena, Elaine, Reg Herbert were among those handing out brochures, answering questions, giving children blue, white and murrey balloons inscribed with Richard’s motto. Screens provided Ricardian information and stalls held goodies provided by the needles and ovens of Johanna and Julia, and Tom and Julie Potts handed out small glasses of mead or malmsey that they had provided. Julia had found a large map of Medieval England, and visiting Poms were invited to place a flag with their name on it near the place from which they had come. The winner would go home with a beautiful basket of food and wine if their home was nearest the place we had deemed most relevant to our cause.
The success of the day was marred when both Johanna and Julia who had arrived at 7am to set up had soldiered on throughout the excessive heat in a huge and open venue unshaded by trees, collapsed from heat exhaustion. Organisers couldn’t help or find a St John’s Ambulance officer on duty but, thanks to Christena, they slowly revived, although it was a close thing and we decided not to repeat the experience until there was better support provided- and maybe a more suitable venue.
In 2005 it was our Branch’s turn to host the biennial Australasian Branches Ricardian convention. Unforeseen circumstances led to a small committee preparing the event – Nancy, Carol, Julia and myself, but Johanna played a great role in finding the venue at the Women’s College at Sydney University, a delightful nearby restaurant “The Peasant’s Feast” for an opening night dinner, and – thanks to her professional work in the tourism business – a reasonably priced motel nearby for overseas and interstate guests not staying at the university. And for those who stayed on after the conference she drew up a great list of things to do in Sydney.
Johanna finally reduced her contribution to the Branch when she moved to her dream home in Bowral, with its beautiful conservatory and gardens (worthy of many magazine pages) which of course she shared with her beloved dogs. Her wonderful dinner parties given in her various homes in Sydney continued there – I’ll never know how she and Julie organised a surprise 60th birthday party for me, but her magic must have done it.
Her talents were many and creative, especially the beautiful dolls she made and dressed so superbly. My plans to attend the Sydney convention banquet as Richard’s cousin Cardinal Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, meant my costume was in the hands of Julie and Johanna. However the best-laid plans … Julie fell ill, Johanna fell and broke her arm and could no longer attend the conference. But my cousin Kay, visiting from Tasmania, completed Johanna’s work. I appeared as the Archbishop – and what happened when after, the banquet, we made a visit to Star Casino is another story!
Her work away from Sydney, life in the Southern Highlands and, sadly, her later illness prevented her attendance at many of the Branch meetings and events. She visited our day-long conferences held in Bundanoon and Mittagong, and was a welcome delegate to the recent 2013 Ricardian Convention in Sydney. Julia recalls her joy in learning that she had won the raffle prize of the Looking for Richard mug from Leicester University. Her interest would never fade.
Vale Johanna. You will be sorely missed by those of us who were lucky enough to be blessed with your friendship, warmth and example.
R.I.P.
Tags: NSW Branch
Members will be saddened to learn of Johanna’s death after a long illness. Our sincere sympathy goes to Johanna’s daughter, Abbie.
Johanna will best be remembered for her friendship and her enthusiastic organisational skills in various executive positions on the Richard III committee. Her love of research into the Medieval age enhanced her position as editor of “Affinity” over a number of years
The Society’s Australasian Conference at the Women’s College, Sydney University owed much of its success to Johanna’s overall planning and great attention to detail. Her creativity was appreciated by members especially in constructing period costumes and dainty artefacts.
Johanna’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 14th July 2015.
Tags: NSW Branch
The June branch meeting of the NSW Richard III Society was held on Saturday, 13 June 2015, at the Sydney Mechanics’ Institute. Chair Judith welcomed all members and visitors; several new members were introduced. The meeting was cut short to make time for the presentations, but one important piece of business was a letter read aloud thanking the branch for our donation to the Leicester Cathedral Richard III fund. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Leicester, NSW Branch, Richard III
There has been a change in the scheduled speakers for the June General Meeting, with Chris Puplick now to be featured in October.
The speakers for June will be three of our branch members, Dorothea, Judy and David, who were fortunate enough to be able to attend the many ceremonies and commemorations in Leicester with the reinterment of Richard III in March this year. Each has a lot to share and will be able to show images and tell about their moving experiences.
It will be wonderful to hear their stories.
Tags: Leicester, NSW Branch, Richard III
In England in the year 1483, King Edward IV died unexpectedly, leaving his son and heir of 12 years still in his minority and not yet of an age when he might rule in his own right. The next most powerful man in the kingdom was Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who was already appointed the High Constable of England for life, and who now, following a series of complicated difficulties, was appointed Protector and Defender of the Realm by the Royal Council. What happened next has been the subject of argument and confusion for the past 500 years.
This small but wonderfully comprehensive little book sets out extensively and clearly what those two titles, Protector and Constable, actually stood for. The responsibilities and powers involved are thoroughly explained using a multitude of sources and citing the relevant precedents from previous years.
There are now many and varied suppositions regarding the actions of Richard, Duke of Gloucester during the short period before his acceptance of the crown in his own right. But the situation cannot be properly understood without first understanding the particular powers he held, what he had the lawful right to do and what was therefore expected of him.
The very important and relevant differences between the position of Protector, and that of Regent (a position frequently given under similar circumstances in other countries, namely France) are here clarified in some detail. What is even less well understood, and is here also explained, arte the legal powers and responsibilities held by the High Constable. Hence there have been frequent misunderstandings regarding the nature of Hastings’ arrest, and whether Richard was lawfully empowered to order that execution. There have also been misunderstandings regarding the duke’s duty towards his nephews, mistaking the title “Protector of the Realm” as some sort of glorified protector and baby-sitter of the late king’s heir. These mistakes are here corrected with strict accuracy and in simple language,
So here at last is a work of considerable academic interest, which offers us, detail by detail the fascinating facts which would have been already well understood at the time the events occurred but which has rarely been studied since. Now here each aspect is set out according to the documented evidence.
Even more interesting is Part II which is highly original and comprehensively explains just how these two mighty titles affected the events of May and June 1483. Understanding that momentous and controversial period cannot even be attempted without already understanding the powers uniquely held by Richard, Duke of Gloucester – and more importantly still – what the country subsequently expected of him.
To my mind, this books offers a further insight, for these mighty offices and the powers inherent within them go a long way towards explaining the medieval mind in general, the manner in which the people accepted and expected their lords to rule, to protect those they ruled, and how the extensive trust offered to a few was then constructed to benefit the many. The ultimate authority and prevailing decisions of the medieval government and royal council (often underestimated and even entirely overlooked today) are also highlighted here. These days such powers would be utterly unthinkable and rejected by all, but this book shows how the laws of the 15th century prove the very different attitudes which existed at that time. Many now criticise the past using the moral judgements of modern times. This is pointless. This absorbing book explains exactly why.
I not only recommend this very important little book – I actually consider it essential reading for anyone genuinely interested in that period of history.
Richard Duke of Gloucester as Lord Protector and High Constable of England, by Annette Carson
Published by Imprimis Imprimatur, ISBN 978-0-9576840-4-1
Price £8.50 + £1.50 (UK P&P) available from www.annettecarson.co.uk
112 pages, including 10 appendices of original documents, several previously unpublished
Tags: Richard III
The branch met on Saturday, 11 April 2015, at the Sydney Mechanics Institute on Pitt Street, with a very good turnout of regular members, new members, and several visitors.
Following some brief welcoming remarks from our Chairperson, our guest speaker, Maggie Patton, presented her fascinating illustrated program about ancient and medieval maps.
Following the presentation, Judith announced that our branch gave gifts of $100 to St James Anglican Church for their reinterment service in March, and £500 to the Leicester Cathedral towards the costs of the reinterment ceremonies. Announcements were made including the news that our branch will be in need of a new Treasurer to be responsible for branch finances when our long-serving Treasurer steps down in October; but that our Secretary will be staying for another year. The Executive Committee needs a variety of administrative assistance, and if you can offer some of your time and skills please contact the Chair to discuss availability.
The branch will soon be moving to electronic communications. This means that members will need to have an email address in order to receive renewal notices, newsletters, and other communications. One suggestion is for any member currently without email to arrange for a family member or friend to receive email on your behalf. Leslie has volunteered to help any branch member/friend to set up an email account and teach them how to use it, at the public library of their choice. Contact her if you wish to talk about it or have any questions. Moving to email will save the branch time, paper, postage and money, and will be in line with other membership organisations.
After the presentation, the raffle was drawn and we adjourned for a lovely afternoon tea once again provided by Joan, who is spoiling us with her homemade goodies. There was ample time for meeting the new members, catching up with those who had been away, and discussing the wonderful reinterment service and ceremonies that were broadcast from the UK in March. Now, at last, Richard III can rest in peace.
Tags: Maps, NSW Branch
King John signs Magna Carta
Thank you to Rachel who told us about this interesting event at our branch general meeting today.
While it might be a bit far for us in NSW to see the Magna Carta exhibition which is at present being shown at the British Library, there are also events closer to us commemorating the signing of Magna Carta 800 years ago. The State Library of New South Wales is holding a one-day symposium on 7 May 2015 to answer the question ‘History’s Most Important Document?’
The symposium will include five eminent speakers who “will explore the historical and contemporary significance of this groundbreaking document”.
The symposium is free. You can find out more and book online here.
Tags: Magna Carta
