The Richard III Society
Promoting research into the life and times of Richard III since 1924
Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
Courtesy of Amanda Geary
Courtesy of Marion Moulton
© Creative Commons Licence
Middleham, Sheriff Hutton and Penrith: Former Neville holdings granted to Richard, Duke of Gloucester on the 29th June 1471
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.
Find out more about events organised by Society Branches and Groups in your local area and beyond.
Contrary to reported quotes in the media, the Richard III Society does not support the performance of Shakespeare's play 'Richard III' due to take place in Leicester Cathedral in July.
It is both insensitive and disrespectful to stage a play that denigrates Richard III, an anointed king of England, in the very place where he was re-buried with 'dignity and honour' only two years ago.
Many people, and not just members of the Richard III Society, will be perplexed and disheartened at the prospect of this particular play being performed in the cathedral. We will make our feelings known to the cathedral authorities and will ask that their decision be reversed so that 'dignity and honour' can prevail.
The Executive Committee
Richard III Society
It is with great shock and deep disappointment that we have learned of Leicester Cathedral’s plans to stage in July two performances of Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’ by Antic Disposition Theatre Company (‘Something Wicked This Way Limps’). The performances are to take place in the cathedral itself where King Richard now lies at rest.
Philippa Langley MBE
Led the Search for Richard III. You can read the full statement here.
Guided Battlefield Walks at weekends & Bank holidays, a special talk about the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the annual Medieval Festival are taking place this summer at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.
Dates, ticket details and links to more information can be found on our What's New page.
Members of the Society receive a 20% discount on standard admission tickets to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre on production of their Membership Card.
King Richard’s ‘Book of Hours’ which was last seen as part of the ceremony when the king was reburied in March 2015 is now on display as part of an exhibition called Battles and Dynasties in Lincoln. Along with many other historical artefacts, including the ‘Domesday Book', it will be on display until 3 September 2017. For more information about the exhibition please visit The Collection Museum’s website.
On Friday 30 June, before the festival celebrating Richard’s life and connections with Middleham, there will be a special event for local school children. Three schools are participating in an Education Day which will involve a range of displays and interactive sessions including candle making, cooking and archery. We are very pleased to announce that the Society will be sponsoring the coach transport which will take the local children to and from the event on the day. more …
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.
The list of venues which offer discounted entry rates for holders of a Richard III Society membership card.
See all What's New items.
Event dates for your diary in 2017:
• 20 August: Bosworth Battlefield visit: Our annual pilgrimage to remember King Richard. Late morning service in Sutton Cheney Church and afternoon looking round the battlefield. more …
• 9 September: The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth. We have been to see the Mary Rose at different stages of its preservation, but now she is in her new permanent home and we will be able to see her clearly. more …
• 30th September 2017: Members' Day and AGM. The 2017 Members' Day and AGM will take place on Saturday, 30th September at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel, 2-8 Hanger Lane, Ealing, London W5 5HN. The guest speaker will be Jo Wilkinson, author of Richard III, The Young King to Be. more …
• 16 December: Always an eagerly awaited prelude to Christmas. Generous and delicious home cooked meal in the village hall followed by glorious music and traditional readings in the church. more …
Notice is hereby given of the Society AGM. Please follow the links below to access the proposed running order for formal business and the application form for nominations to the Executive Committee. Nominations must be accompanied by this form and should be sent to the Secretaries by 16th September 2017.
• AGM Notice.
• Executive Committee Nomination form.