The Richard III Society
Promoting research into the life and times of Richard III since 1924
Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
© Tony Groves
19th August 1485: Richard left Nottingham for Leicester.
Nottingham Castle Gatehouse.
© Amanda Geary
20th August 1485: Richard may have heard Mass
here prior to leaving Leicester for Bosworth.
St Mary de Castro Church, Leicester.
© Sharon Lock
22nd August 1485: The Battle of Bosworth.
'King Richard' surveying his troops at the 2016
re-enactment of the battle.
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 Saturday 19th August 2017 at 5.30pm Choral Evensong at Leicester Cathedral will commemorate the anniversary of the death of Richard III. There will be white rose petals scattered at the graveside in the Richard III Visitor Centre and white roses laid at the statue.
Then on Tuesday 22nd August there will be a Rose Laying Ceremony at Bosworth Battlefield at 11.00am - 12.00pm. The ceremony will take place at the Bosworth Sundial Memorial to remember all those that died on both sides of the Battle of Bosworth. more …
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.
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.
The list of venues which offer discounted entry rates for holders of a Richard III Society membership card.
See all What's New items.
Find out more about events organised by Society Branches and Groups in your local area and beyond.
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.
Philippa's open letter to the Dean of Leicester Cathedral regarding Shakespeare's Richard III can be read on her website here.
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.
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 Chris Skidmore, author of Bosworth: the Birth of the Tudors, and Richard III: Brother, Protector, King. 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.