A 36ft (approx. 11 m) long sign has been erected at Bosworth Battlefield saying “Bosworth 525”.  It is supposed to draw attention to the Anniversary Re-enactment of the Battle.  The sign is so large that it can be seen from a mile away.

This year marks the 525th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth in which King Richard III was killed on 22 August 1485.

It is questionable whether such a Hollywood style sign is appropriate to mark the death of a person, whatever your personal view of him.  It creates the image of a Disney World extravaganza rather than an interpretation of an actual battle based on factual evidence.

Source:  BBC Leicester

Tags: Battles, Richard III

To mark the 525th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth this year, Bosworth Battlefield has launched an international search for the descendants of those who fought at the battle on 22nd August 1485.

The Visitor Centre has a list of names of many men who fought in the battle, but there is still much to be learned about them and bring them back to live, so to speak.  As Curator Richard Knox explains:  “We have a list of names of men who fought at the battle from sources, including the Italian historian Polydore Vergil, but we know very little else about them. We would love to hear from families who believe their ancestors are connected to the battle and start to add some flesh to the bones of the Bosworth story.”

One of those they found is James Orrell, whose ancestor Ralph Orrell was a cousin of Lord Thomas Stanley, whom he helped to decide the battle for Henry Tudor. As a reward he was paid ten marks a year for life, for good and faithful services.  Fortunately his descendant displays for us more acceptable loyalties when he says:  “I can’t help but feel Ralph fought for the wrong side, but understandably you didn’t argue with the Stanleys!”

On the weekend of the anniversary itself there will be a spectacular re-enactment of the battle, to which the descendants will be invited.  The event will also include a thrilling jousting tournament, majestic falconry displays, skill-at-arms, guided walks, medieval market, living history encampment and expert talks.  You even get the chance to meet King Richard III at lunch with his Commanders and ask him any questions you may have about the impending battle.

You can find out more from the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre as well as Leicestershire Museums.

Tags: Battles, Richard III

Just a reminder that The Richard III Society, NSW Branch, is planning to remember the death of Richard III and his gallant band who fell with him (as well as those who survived) at Redmore Plain on 22nd August 1485 with a lunch at:

The Hero Of Waterloo Hotel,
cnr Windmill & Lower Fort Sts,
Millers Point, Sydney

Time:  from noon

Date:  Sunday, 22nd August 2010.

Room:  Downstairs Luncheon Room, off the bar.
Access from Lower Fort St or through bar from Windmill St.

Do hope to see you all there!

Please let Kevin know definitely whether or not you are able to attend this function by Saturday 14th August 2010 (day of General Meeting), as he needs to provide definite numbers to Hotel management by Monday, 16th  August.

Please also contact him if you need help with information on how to get there.

You can contact Kevin at social@richardiii-nsw.org.au.

Tags: Battles, NSW Branch, Richard III

This is the title of a ‘Special Interest Weekend to re-evaluate an historically neglected but pivotal English conflict’ which will be held from 24 to 27 March 2011 at Christ Church in Oxford in association with Holts Battlefield Tours and The Richard III Society.  To a Ricardian the description of a “neglected” conflict is hardly appropriate, as it is essential to our period of interest.

Special Interest Weekends are offered every spring by Christ Church, offering sound scholarship by distinguished speakers to their visitors.  Participants will stay on campus and enjoy college life.  The social highlight of the weekend will be the Gala Banquet on Saturday night.

This weekend promises to take the participant through one of the most complex narratives of English History and to explore the debates surrounding the parts played, not just by the king but by the aristocracy.  The talks include:

•    The Origins of the Wars of the Roses
•    The Role of Margaret of Anjou
•    Edward IV and the Establishment of the House of York
•    Richard III:  Reputation and Reality
•    The Army of Richard III
•    Alice Duchess of Suffolk and the Wars of the Roses – this will take place at Ewelme Church, where she is buried
•    The Battle of Bosworth – Dr Glenn Foard, who led the team that discovered the real battle site, will talk about their research.

What a pity that we are so far away, the weekend does promise to be fascinating!  It would be good if we could find out whether the talks might be published in book format after the weekend.  This would allow people, who live too far away and haven’t got the means to just pop over to Oxford for weekend, can enjoy some of it.

For a copy of the programme and a booking form click here.

Tags: Bosworth, Oxfordshire, Richard III, Wars of the Roses

Our branch members Leslie and Doug have just finished reading the Ricardian classic Some Touch of Pity by Rhoda Edwards.   We are very happy and grateful that they immediately let us know their thoughts on this excellent novel.

You can find their review on our “Book Shelf”  in the “Ricardian Library” or click here.

Tags: Anne Neville, Books, Richard III

If you found us after reading the paper this morning we would like to welcome you to our site.  We hope you find lots of interesting articles and would be happy to welcome you soon again.

A note of explanation to our regular readers.  We reported on Tuesday, 6 July, that Richard III’s coronation was mentioned in Column 8, a regular feature of the Sydney Morning Herald.  We were wondering whether our secretary Julia had anything to do with it, but it turns out that any prompting from her side had not been necessary.  However, efficient as ever she immediately sent an email to Column 8 thanking them for the mention of ‘our Man’ and this appears in full in today’s paper (have a look here).  Thank you very much to Column 8 and Julia as well.

Tags: Media, NSW Branch, Richard III

The anniversary of Richard and Anne’s coronation in 1483 made it into today’s Sydney Morning Herald (could Julia, our excellent secretary, have anything to do with this?).  Column 8 lists several events connected with 6 July.  In case you are wondering about “St Sexburga’s Day” (and did not read Column 8 yesterday), St Sexburga was an Abbess of Ely in the seventh century.

Read today’s Column 8 here (the first entry) and yesterday’s here (the last entry).

Tags: Media, Richard III

A review of John Ashdown-Hill’s latest book, The Last Days of Richard III, is now available on our website.  You can find it in the “Must Read” section on our Book Shelf or click here.

Tags: Anne Neville, Books, Bosworth, Henry Tudor, Medieval Life, Ricardian Authors, Richard III

In March 2010 the Canberra Richardians gathered to attend a small local company (Everyman) production of the Shakespearean play Richard III.  This was performed in a small ‘workshop’ space in the Courtyard Theatre.  There were tiered stands for seating with a red carpet between the two stands.  The actors worked on this carpet.

One member of the group was aware that the stands were labelled with red and white roses.  We had to be careful to make sure we were sitting on the correct side!  The actors at times directly worked or appealed to their side.  The actors were costumed very simply in white, adding accessories to indicate the character they were playing.  The actor playing Richard (Duncan Ley) became more and more covered in ‘blood’ as the play developed.

To see the play performed at such close range magnifies the already powerful drama.  The aim of this production was to highlight the role of the women.  From my perspective this was achieved.

The four of us were really pleased that we had picked up on this production and been able to attend together.  I think we all came away with a better understanding of why the play has coloured people’s perception of Richard III so successfully.

Tags: Richard III, Shakespeare