The Richard III Society
Promoting research into the life and times of Richard III since 1924
Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
Richard III by Andrew Jamieson,
© Richard III Society.
Welcome to the website of the Richard III Society. We have been working since 1924 to secure a more balanced assessment of the king and to support research into his life and times. The rediscovery of his remains and their re-interment in Leicester Cathedral have raised the king’s profile and provided us with new opportunities to make the case for a reappraisal of his life and role in English history.
"… the purpose—and indeed the strength—of the Richard III Society derives from the belief that the truth is more powerful than lies; a faith that even after all these centuries the truth is important. It is proof of our sense of civilised values that something as esoteric and as fragile as reputation is worth campaigning for." Our Patron - the present Richard, Duke of Gloucester. more …
Visit the membership section to learn more about how to join the Society. Membership starts from as little as £12 per year.
Introductory Reading list.
The Society's shop contains books, postcards, prints and much much more. To see what is available to buy please view our catalogue.
'A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with the University of Leicester regarding the appropriate use of the images of King Richard’s remains has been obtained. Following a meeting with the University on 29th July 2016 to discuss the use of images, Philippa and I are pleased to announce that the MoU between our two organisations has now been signed and is published here.'
Phil Stone, Society Chairman.
Read full statement.
On 29 May 2018 the Medieval Research Centre (MRC) and University of Leicester are holding a public lecture called Plantagenet Portraits in the 15th and 16th Centuries: Contemporary Contexts for the Image of Richard III. For more information please click here.
Tickets are now available for this year’s Middleham Celebrates Richard III Festival. The Festival will be held 6-8 July at King Richard’s former home of Middleham. A series of events and talks have already been confirmed, please click here to find out more and how to book tickets.
Leicester Cathedral held a special Choral Evensong for the third anniversary of the King's reburial on Sunday 25 March 2018.
Father Alan Hawker, a Society member, who was heavily involved in the special service for Society members before the reburial conducted the service. The banners were carried from the Visitor Centre to the Cathedral, and the Society Chairman, Dr Phil Stone, laid a wreath on King Richard's tomb. Click here to see images from the event.
Further to the AGM hotel information provided in the March Bulletin please note the following: Members wishing to book a room should call bedroom reservations at the Grand on 0844 815 9012 and select Option 1. They should quote the Society’s block code reference of KINR290918. This will bring up the discounted rate of 15% off the rate of the day with breakfast. Members should be aware that this is pre-payable, non-refundable and non-transferable.
Nominations are now being accepted for membership of the Executive Committee. All nominations must be accompanied by a completed application form. Completed forms must be received by the Society Secretary by 1 July 2018.
Submissions are invited for the third round in 2018 of the annual / biennial Mortimer History Society Essay Prize. The closing date for entries is 1st December 2018. The aim of the competition is to promote and stimulate scholarly research into and popular interest in:
• the history of the medieval Mortimer family of Wigmore (and it’s cadet branches, e.g. Chirk, Chelmarsh);
• and, the Welsh Marches in the Middle Ages from 1066 to 1500.
Further information on how to enter 2018’s competition can be found here.
See all What's New items.
Question: What took three years, untold amounts of grit and graft, and produced a glittering result?
Answer: Philippa Langley's quest for the lost grave of Richard III.
Many, including academics and archaeologists – not to mention the media – are still reeling from a success that can only be called stunning!
Philippa Langley next to the grave.
Philippa Langley knew King Richard III had been 'piteously slain' at Bosworth Field. And she knew the Franciscan Friars of Leicester had laid him to rest in a simple grave. But where to look? Was he still there? And would they let her try to find him?
On 25 August 2012 Philippa Langley's quest for the lost grave of Richard III finally came to fruition!
Find out more …
The Looking for Richard team have compiled some frequently asked questions about the project that found King Richard's final resting place in 2012.
Learn more about Philippa’s exciting new research project, and how you can help.
Read the Reburial Diary and Events held by the Society during the historic week in March 2015 and first anniversary in March 2016.
As John is no longer able to take bookings for talks, he has added updated versions of some of his Powerpoint presentations on his web site where you can download them to view.
• 2 June: A day in Essex
• 19 August: Bosworth Commemoration and Medieval Festival
• 22 September: Stonor House and gardens
• 29 September: AGM and Members Day at the Grand Hotel, Leicester
• 15 December: Christmas at Fotheringhay
The list of venues which offer discounted entry rates for holders of a Richard III Society membership card.
The Society will also have stalls at the following 2018 festivals:
• 7—8 July: Middleham Celebrates Richard III Festival
• 14—15 July: Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
• 18—19 August: Bosworth Medieval Festival
Find out more about events organised by Society Branches and Groups in your local area and beyond.