A few items discovered in my never-ending task of trying to relieve my bookcases of excess material (96% of those selected to be discarded always return home).

In a copy of No Turn Unstoned * by Diana Rigg (a wonderful actor mainly remembered for her leather-clad Emma Peel in television’s “The Avengers”) she compiled a collection of awful theatrical reviews and among them:

Ian Holm in The Wars of the Roses.  Shakespeare’s Richard III, Stratford- on -Avon, July 1963.   Reviewed by The Times.

Mr Holm still presents Gloucester as a likeable juvenile, open-faced and friendly in spite of his hump and surgical boot. Mr Holm’s reading  …fails totally to develop in Satantic magnitude.  Instead of the boar, the bottled spider or the bunchbacked toad, Mr Holm remains a high-spirited minor;  he exhausts his lung power in the later scenes, but finishes up on Bosworth Field loaded down with an armour of medieval weapons crooning to himself like a baby inside his visor. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Shakespeare

Today the website of the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society is celebrating its second birthday.  We asked our members to share their thoughts about Richard III, the Society or the branch or all of them.  Following are some of their replies.  Celebrate with us and read their experiences.

From Narelle Bartley (QLD):

In the early eighties I read an historical novel which gave Richard a pretty good image but it was a very small statement at the bottom of a page that really intrigued me.  The statement simply advised the reader that “this document is extant”.  That statement led me to investigate the truth about Richard by reading books written by professional historians.  What I actually discovered was the truth about historians and historical chroniclers i.e. that like lawyers in criminal trials only the facts that support their particular view are used to make their argument.  Also, many of them, both for and against Richard, employ extraordinary feats of extrapolation about his motives with phrases such as “he must have” or “this meant”.  There is, in reality, so little actual evidence about Richard’s motives and thought processes that extrapolation at a personal level is futile.  And that’s why I thank goodness for the Richard III Society whose aims include the promotion of research into the life and times of Richard III.  The truth may emerge yet!

From Julia Redlich (Secretary, NSW Branch):

I’m one of the NSW Branch members who talk to various groups on a variety of Ricardian and medieval subjects.  Admittedly a fair percentage of each audience is there mainly to have a chat with friends, enjoy a cup of tea and maybe find the guest speaker interesting.

How rewarding it is when people come up afterwards – and want to know more.  And they are not just being polite!  This echoes the excitement I felt, aged 10, after watching a stage production of Stevenson’s The Black Arrow and realising that the Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was portrayed as someone quite different to the monster in my history book.  I became determined to learn more about “the real Richard”.

Now, when I answer questions about his life and times, explain the connections of obscure characters on the family tree during a tea break or talk about the achievements of his short reign, I recognise the same spark of interest I felt so many years ago.  I hope they continue on the same path I did, that brings fresh ideas and logical explanations – and the pleasure of meeting friends on the same voyage of discovery, and enjoy the loyalty that binds us all.

Happy birthday to our website that brings us so many friends from around the world!

From Isolde Martyn (Former Chairperson of the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society and author of two published novels set in the Wars of the Roses):

In this age of ultra-communication when information, public and private, significant or trivial, is spinning across the globe like invisible cobwebs, often there is no time to stop and say, ‘Wait a minute…’, ‘How?’ or ‘Can this be really true?’

The existence of the Richard III Society is a continual reminder that historical events can be — and should be — seen from many angles.  The right to be open-minded, to evaluate the facts in discussion, is a precious liberty that is lacking in many countries of this world.  Five hundred years on, it doesn’t really matter whether a fifteenth century king murdered his nephews when he seized the crown, but isn’t it wonderful for those of us who are members of the Richard III Society to have a present day society (both with a small ‘s’ and a big ‘S’) to discuss it?

From Leslie McCawley (NSW):

Discovering Richard III

My husband, Doug, follows the lovely Victorian custom of reading aloud to me every evening for an hour or two, as we wind down from our busy days apart. In our 14 years of marriage we have, in this way, shared hundreds of wonderful books, and we share the memories of them as other couples recall their shared journeys – for, of course, that is what they are.

One such book was an old favourite of his, The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey, that he was pleased to introduce me to one winter several years ago. We would lose ourselves every evening into the quest for the historical truth about King Richard and the tragic fate that befell his nephews.  Who was truly to blame?  After we finished that excellent volume, we decided to seek out more books about Richard III who we now agreed had been unfairly maligned by the conquering Tudors.  We were hungry for more.

Doug’s next selection was The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman, and we enjoyed immensely being immersed in the cultural milieu of the War of the Roses.  It also had the effect of making us yearn for yet more information about this historical underdog.  It was during a search for biographical information on the internet that I came across the website of the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society.

I was both astonished and thrilled that other people actually had the same interest in, and the same sense of indignation about the maligning of a good man, even though it had happened many centuries ago.  Seeing the posted titles of the upcoming Branch programs, we couldn’t wait to go along and learn all we could.  Until then though, I could enjoy the website’s riches:  wonderful book reviews, articles of interest, information about meaningful anniversaries such as birthdays or battles.  I learned a lot in the interim waiting for the first meeting we could attend.

What a nice group of people we encountered at the meeting room at the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts!  True history buffs with a profound love of books, ideas, and learning.  It was like coming home to find so many fascinating people who shared our, we had thought, rather arcane interests!  We joined the Branch on the spot and have not missed a meeting since.  That was several years ago.

Membership in the Richard III Society has greatly enriched our lives, offering us intellectual stimulation through excellent programs and the fun companionship of a wide range of personalities.  And our reading list is now so full of books recommended by fellow members that we shall never get through them all in this lifetime!  But what a joy it is to open another volume about Richard III and hear once again the tales of 15th century England.

From Judy Howard (Treasurer, NSW Branch):

Being a member of the Richard III Society, I have access to like-minded people and a wealth of knowledge regarding King Richard III, the House of York and this fascinating period of mediaeval history.  The website is great and I often marvel at how convenient and easy it is to keep up to date and in touch with people with the internet and websites such as ours.  The quarterly Ricardian Bulletin and the annual Journal are also a wonderful source of information which provides up to date knowledge of the latest thinking and discoveries regarding all things Ricardian.

From Denise Chambers (QLD):

I became of member of the Richard III Society after reading Sharon Penman’s famous novel The Sunne in Splendour.   Up until that time I had not the slightest interest in medieval history and had only vaguely heard of Richard III.  I now read any book or article on medieval history I can find (or afford!).  The excellent journals published by our local branch and our “head office” in England keep me informed on so many topics regarding people and events from this fascinating period in time.  Now, being retired, I’m so happy to have lots of time to spend doing something I love.

From Margaret Shaw (NSW):

In July 1990 while on a tour of the UK I visited Bosworth Field.  When I saw the well from which it is claimed Richard had drunk just before his death I decided I would like to know more about the life and times of Richard III.

I visited the shop on the site and bought some souvenirs, then I saw a notice that in England there was a Richard III Society.  I thought at the time I am sure Richard III has been unfairly treated through history thanks to the Tudors and Shakespeare.  I certainly did not know that there was a Society in Australia.

Some years later my friend Christena Dawson found out through a friend that we had a branch of the Society in Sydney, we joined and have been members ever since.

Over the years I have enjoyed the many meetings I have attended, conferences and other functions.  I have learnt a lot about Richard and other historical events and made some wonderful friends.

Being a member of the Richard III Society is one of the best things in my life.

Tags: NSW Branch

We are thrilled to welcome a guest post by well-known Ricardian novelist Anne Easter Smith, author of A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York and The King’s Grace.  I loved all her previous novels and am now impatiently awaiting delivery of her recently published Queen by Right about Cecily Neville, duchess of York.  In her guest post Anne examines the rumour that Edward IV was not the son of Richard, duke of York.  Thank you so much, Anne, for sharing this with us.

Cecily’s so-called affair

I was drawn to writing about Cecily Neville as soon as I began researching my first – and what I thought would be my only – book A Rose for the Crown.  I could not write Richard III’s story without knowing a lot about his parents and his siblings.  Oddly, Cecily did not appear at all in that book, but in a few scenes her absence hung over the brothers Edward and Richard and you feel she is an indomitable presence in their lives.  Indeed, I think one of the reasons Edward chose not to reveal his secret marriage to Elizabeth Woodville for so long was because he feared a slap upside the head from Proud Cis.  And boy, did she give him one when the marriage was finally outed, and, according to the Italian visitor Dominic Mancini who was in London in 1484 – twenty years after the fact – and was the first to write about the rumor, Cecily “fell into a frenzy.”  It was partly because of the scorn she had for this upstart nobody Woodville woman who must now be called queen that she began to style herself, “Cecily, the king’s mother, and late wife unto Richard, by right king of England and of France and lord of Ireland.”  Or as my title infers, “Queen by Right.” Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Books, Cecily Neville, Ricardian Authors

The other morning, after my son left early for work, I retreated to bed with a cup of tea and my book. And read the following.  It’s from Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny, Sphere/Little Brown, ISBN 978-1-84744-437-0:

A lot of what we know to be history isn’t,” said Gamache. “You know that, I know that.  It serves a purpose. Events are exaggerated, heroes fabricated, goals are rewritten to appear more noble than they actually were.  All to manipulate public opinion, to manufacture a common purpose or enemy.  And the cornerstone of a really great movement?  A powerful symbol. Take away or tarnish that and everything starts to crumble, everything’s questioned. Can’t have that.

Louise Penny is a Canadian writer, one of the many really first rate ones that flourish there. She has written five detective novels featuring Chief Inspector Gamache, all set in the little Canadian village of Three Pines which rivals Midsomer for body count!  In this, her sixth book, Gamache returns to headquarters in Quebec and has to solve a several centuries old mystery before he can catch a present-day killer.  Won’t tell you any more in case you want to read the earlier ones first!  This one also includes a fascinating sideline on Captain Cook.

The first part of the quote is so Morton/Tudor.  The “cornerstone of a great movement”: Richard III – what would he have accomplished if he’d lived?  No wonder Ricardians question the tarnishing of his reputation.  “Can’t have that”!

Tags: Books

In June, second year students of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) will be performing The Tragedy of Richard III by William Shakespeare at the Parade Courtyard.  The Parade Theatres are part of the NIDA complex at 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW 2033.

NIDA Season of Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Richard III by William Shakespeare
directed by Tony Knight | Featuring Second Year Actors
18, 20 – 23 June 2011, 8.15pm
Parade Courtyard
Tickets on sale through Ticketek from 16 May. Click here to register your interest.

Tags: Shakespeare

The latest issue of The Walkley, the Media Alliance magazine, contains an interview with the Channel 10 Entertainment reporter Angela Bishop*.   I’d like to share the following part of the interview with you:

Beware of rumours reported as fact.

Entertainment journalism (not an oxymoron) is particularly susceptible to an internet rumour suddenly being reported around the world as fact. This is thanks to the number of entertainment reporters who have sprung up whose sole source of information is the internet. Checking facts with a reliable source still applies. (underlining mine)

This applies not only to entertainment reporters, but equally to hobby historians like most of our branch members.  Add novels to the internet and the situation is very familiar!

* The Walkley Magazine, Issue 66, May – June 2011, p 54.  For more information on The Walkley, go to http://www.walkleys.com/home

The current issue of Britain magazine (May 2011) has an article on fighting for the throne in the Wars of the Roses.  It is disappointing that the caption to the reproduction of Millais’ painting of the princes suggests that Richard murdered them.  This may be due in part to the influence of Alison Weir, a number of quotes from her on the subject are included in the article. She cites the discovery of the skeletons as pointing to murder, and says further than Richard’s plan to take the throne was bound to backfire because the shedding of infants’ blood shocked Richard’s contemporaries as much as it does us. Neil Jones provides a potted history of the conflict and the article includes a number of colour illustrations.  Jones mentions that the Richard III Society is today encouraging a reassessment of this much-maligned king, and it is encouraging also that the Society and alternative views about Richard are being given some attention.

Tags: Richard III

Book Review:  The Queen of Last Hopes

Susan Higginbotham, The Queen of Last Hopes.  Sourcebooks Inc., Naperville, 2011.  ISBN 9781402242816 (pbk)

As the red rose on the cover indicates The Queen of Last Hopes is a Lancastrian queen:  Margaret of Anjou, the queen of Henry VI.  Susan Higginbotham narrates Margaret’s life against the backdrop of the earlier part of the Wars of the Roses through the eyes of a variety of Lancastrian witnesses, often Margaret herself, but for scenes where she was not present she uses others, for instance William de la Pole or Henry Beaufort as well as Margaret’s husband and son.

Clearly, Susan sits on the opposite side of the fence when it comes to the conflict between the House of York and the House of Lancaster.  While it initially came as a bit of a shock to see our Yorkist heroes described in a fairly negative light, this is a positive and necessary experience as it forces us to re-evaluate our preconceived ideas.  We need to remember that all too often our views of medieval persons are based on prejudice, so in order to come to a more balanced understanding it is necessary to be jolted out of our complacency every now and then.

Susan’s The Queen of Last Hopes offers us the opportunity to meet Margaret of Anjou as a real person we can sympathise with.  She is not a one-dimensional saint, nor is she the one-dimensional villain we encounter so often in Ricardian fiction.  Her actions are well-motivated by her feelings for her husband, her son and their rights.

The book is based on impeccable historical research, which is also reflected by the Author’s Note at the end.  While I was disappointed by the only appearance of Richard of Gloucester, in which he is committing one of the killings he gets traditionally blamed for, she does explain in the Notes that there is no proof for this.

I still prefer my roses white, but can only recommend this book.  It is an enjoyable read and will prevent tunnel-vision.

Tags: Books, Margaret of Anjou, Ricardian Authors

Barbara Kingsolver, The Lacuna.  Faber and Faber Ltd, London, 2010.  ISBN 9780571252671 (pbk)

Barbara Kingsolver has written another great book.  She is an author with an amazing ability to whisk the reader away to another time and place, and once the reader is there they become totally engrossed.

Her previous novel The Poisonwood Bible was the story of an American missionary who drags his wife and daughters to the African Congo, amid the turmoil and bloodshed of the 60s, where he tries to enforce his religious beliefs upon the native population, who have their own gods and idols, and resent his sermons and interference.

Her new novel is set in Mexico in the late 30s and 40s and is the story of a young boy, Harrison, and his flighty mother who uproots him from his home in Washington DC to follow her current paramour to his hacienda on a small island off the Mexican coast.  The boy is encouraged by his mother to keep a journal of his travels and so he begins a series of notebooks and diaries.

After several of his mother’s affairs end in disappointment they travel to Mexico City, where the boy Harrison finds himself working as a plaster mixer and later as cook and typist to the household of artists (and communists) Diego Rivera and his wife Frida Kahlo, who become his second family.

When his friend and mentor Leon Trotsky, who was seeking political asylum in Mexico and staying with his friends the Riveras, is brutally assassinated in their home, Harrison flees back to the US, only to find himself, due to his friendship with Trotsky and the Riveras, embroiled in the McCarthy era ‘Reds under the Beds’ witch hunt.

By this time he has become a popular author, drawing on his affection for and knowledge of Mexico, creating stories of the ancient Mayan civilisations, but the continuing harassment and threats of treason and possible imprisonment force him to flee once again, back to Mexico.

The unfolding story is told through his stenographer and friend, Violet Brown, and through Harrison’s notes and diaries that he kept as a boy and continued as a young man.  But that’s another story in itself!

For some time I have read much fiction and non-fiction, most but not all of it historical, dealing with the Wars of the Roses and English royals, so when a friend lent me this book it was a nice change.

I found this book a very enjoyable read and hard to put down and recommend it highly.