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.
The Barton Library contains hundreds of titles, both non-fiction and fiction that are available for members to borrow. For more information click here.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing today (18th May, 2018) of Dr John Ashdown-Hill. A prolific and popular author, John played an important, not to say critical, role in the Looking for Richard Project. It was he who tracked down Mike Ibsen, one of the two whose DNA helped to confirm that the remains in the car park were actually those of King Richard. When we first learnt of John’s illness, one could only wonder how long he had before he succumbed, motor neurone disease coming in various forms, some worse than others. For John, his passing was probably a blessing though he will be much missed by his friends and members of the Society. Our thoughts and prayers go with them all at this time. The news comes too late for the June issue of the Ricardian Bulletin but there will be a full tribute in the September issue.
Executive Committee
'King Not Guilty!' … In a trial of Shakespeare's Richard III held in aid of the Shakespeare Schools Foundation at the Novello Theatre in London on 29 April, King Richard III was found 'Not Guilty' by the jury. The Society's Chairman, Dr Phil Stone, attended the event. more …
New Data Protection laws are due to come into effect on 25th May 2018. The Society will now require consent from Members in order to contact them. For more information please click here.
For Members currently signed up to receive RIII Mailing e-mails you will shortly see an e-mail from us requesting your consent for the Society to retain your details or remove your details from the distribution list.
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.
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.
Updated versions of some of John's Powerpoint presentations are available on his website on his web site where you can download them.
• 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.