Beloved Cousyn:  John Howard and the House of York, by John Ashdown-Hill will be published by The History Press in November 2009  (£18.99 in the UK).

Impatient readers who loved John’s Eleanor, The Secret Queen might not want to wait until the author’s new book  is published here (probably next year).  The History Press have a offer of  £15 for members of Ricardian Societies from November 2 to January 4, but we suspect that the offer of free postage and packing doesn’t apply to us. For individual orders contact www.thehistorypress.co.uk and quote offer code HPBeloved.  If you would like to be part of a bulk order from either Amazon or The History Press, at about the same price or posssibly a bit cheaper for shared postage costs (to be advised), please let us know at library@richardiii-nsw.org.au by 23 October 2009 (sorry –  members only).

John Ashdown-Hill, the Richard III Society’s tireless and ever helpful Branches’ and Groups’ Liaison Officer, sends this information:

John Howard, a 15th-century Suffolk gentleman founded a dynasty of dukes of Norfolk which has lasted to the present day.  In 1455 Howard was untitled and obscure; at his death in 1485 he was Earl Marshal, Duke of Norfolk, Lord Admiral and a very wealthy man.

…The author examines Howard’s reasons for supporting Richard III, even at the cost of his own life; he reveals how Richard became king in 1483 and looks at Howard’s involvement with the fate of the ’Princes in the Tower’ and of the royal secrets he knew through his association with the private life of Edward IV.

Beloved Cousyn brings out many fascinating details which have previously been overlooked.  The book also re-writes the history of shipbuilding, outlining Howard’s naval innovations, hitherto ascribed to the Tudors.  The details of Howard’s death together with the subsequent fate of his remains are also explored.

Tags: Books, Richard III

Leicestershire Museums report that the Bosworth Battlefield’s annual re-enactment weekend in August was a great success.

In 2008, 2900 visitors made their way to the Bosworth Battlefield site, which had been a record then.  However for the 2009 event, figures rose by around 82% to 5300 visitors, as people from as far afield as Australia and America turned out to witness the death of Richard III and the birth of the Tudor dynasty.  The War of the Roses thrilled audiences with daring displays of jousting, skills at arms and the finale of King Richard III’s last stand.

For the full article, please click here.

Or you might be interested to have a look at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.

Tags: Bosworth, Richard III

An article in a recent issue of the BBC History Magazine deals with a new book by David Hipshot called Richard III and the Death of Chivalry, published by History Press.

For those of you who believe that Henry Tudor had something to do with it, or even the lack of a mount for a suddenly horseless Richard, you might like to think again. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bosworth, Richard III

At the recent meeting of the NSW Branch of the Richard III Society on 11 August those members attending were entertained and enlightened by a group of their fellow Ricardians.  They represented a discussion between Richard’s family and friends entitled Remembering Richard, written by member Kevin Herbert.

Good use was made of medieval costumes, this helped to create the atmosphere of the late 15th century as they took the parts of those involved in Richard’s life and times.

Many aspects of his short but important life were discussed.  His early years at Middleham and the key role he played in military and administrative affairs of the Kingdom.  His marriage to Anne Neville, the tragic loss of their son at only ten years and Anne’s early death.  The relationship with his sister-in-law Elizabeth Woodville and friends such as Francis Lovell and James Tyrell.  There was even a possible solution to the disappearance of his nephews from the tower.  The characters were introduced by Katherine Gordon, and also included the princes Edward and Richard as well as their sister Elizabeth and Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Buckingham.

That afternoon I could almost imagine I was back in the late 15th Century as I listened to these very interesting conversations about Richard’s life.

I am sure it will be well received at the Ricardian Conference in West Australia in October

Tags: NSW Branch, Richard III

We shall be remembering Richard’s cruel death at the Battle of Bosworth on August 22, 1485 with a social event.  This year we will be attending the 10am service at All Souls’ Church, Leichhardt   on Sunday August 23.  They are always so welcoming to those Ricardians who do attend their services, that we urge you to make the effort to attend to show our appreciation of their kindness.  Parking in some of the streets nearby is apparently at no cost on Sundays – and their morning teas after the service are delightful.

Please join your fellow Ricardians for the service.  This is, after all, the most significant time in our year!

We will of course go on to have lunch at La Galletta Restaurant at 161 Norton Street when Tony will present his usual delicious menu choices to us for a very reasonable price.

For more information or if you would like to attend, please contact social@richardiii-nsw.org.au.

Tags: Bosworth, NSW Branch, Richard III

“Remembering Richard”, a discussion between Richard’s family and friends with a possible solution to the mystery of the Princes. Written by Kevin Herbert and read by Judith, Kevin, Carol, Dorothea, Julia, Lynne, Jan and Jackie.

The proposal by the New South Wales Branch that the date on the coverof the Ricardian Bulletin should give the month rather than the season to be in keeping with the Society’s world-wide membership, was passed unanimously by the  UK Executive Committee.  Thanks to the NZ Branch for seconding our proposal.

Unfortunately the UK mailing agency in its wisdom sent the New South Wales copies of the 2009 Ricardian and the June 2009 Ricardian Bulletin to New Zealand.  However, Rob Smith has kindly forwarded them to us, and they arrived earlier this week.  All members will be able to pick up their copy at the meeting.  If you do not come to the meetings that regularly, but are planning to come this time, please let us know at library@richardiii-nsw.org.au so that we can make sure to bring your copy along.  All others will be posted afterwards.

The second issue of our own journal, The Chronicles of the White Rose, is with the printers and should also be available at the meeting.

Surely this should be an extra reason to come and attend what promises to be a very enjoyable afternoon.

Tags: NSW Branch, Richard III

Look out for a new novel by Philippa Gregory published soon by Simon & Schuster. The White Queen is the first in her new Plantagenet series and is about Elizabeth Woodville. It’s very readable, doesn’t gloss over her faults and ambition, but shows a great understanding of her love for her children, her family and Edward, plus an interesting slant on what may be an answer to the Princes’ mystery – although the author admits there is no proof of it. It will be interesting to see who is next in line for her attention

Tags: Books, Elizabeth Woodville, Richard III

For those of you on facebook, I recently discovered (thanks to the WA branch) that there is on facebook  a Common Interest – History Group on Richard III.  If you are on facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=1775&post=44543&uid=2216688256#/board.php?uid=2216688256

So far the group has 601 members with very interesting discussions.  Topics include among others:

• Things Richard Gets a Bad Rap for
• Anyone else wants to scream reading Alison Weir’s books
• Daughter of Time
• Who done it?

The description says “This group is for all of you who want to restore Richard III’s good name. If you believe Richard was innocent from the murder of his two nephews and want to promote the truth of his innocence, this group is for you!”

So if you have facebook, go on and have a look!

Tags: Richard III

Foyles Bookshop in London recently hosted an event called the ‘Battle of the Monarchs’.  Contestants were Edward I, Elizabeth I, James I and Richard III.  The aim was to decide who was England’s greatest monarch.   The big surprise was that Richard was presented by Alison Weir, who – on the basis of her printed work – nobody would have suspected of too strong pro-Ricardian feelings.

As unfortunately nobody from our branch could be in London for this exciting event, we contacted Foyles asking them to let us know how it went.  Today we received an answer .  It seems Edward I was victorious on this occasion, but apparently it was a very close run thing.   However, we were all very excited to see that Richard made the shortlist in the first place.   Clearly,  if they had asked us, the result would have been completely different!

Tags: Richard III