News Archive 2023 - Richard III Society

The Princes in the Tower: The New Evidence

This feature length documentary special (UK Channel 4, 18th November, 8pm) focuses a forensic microscope on the evidence published in Philippa Langley’s remarkable new book The Princes in the Tower: Solving History’s Greatest Cold Case. Philippa and eagle-eyed barrister Rob Rinder follow the story of how the two sons of Edward IV disappeared in the summer of 1483 and became the alleged victims of an alleged murder. Posterity (aided by Tudor mouthpieces) spread accusations that Richard III was responsible for ordering their death, as depicted in the most well-known tale of all by Shakespeare. Find more details here.

In line with this Society’s commitment to research, Ricardians demand evidence when accusations are made – and the argument for the Princes’ death at Richard’s hands has never had any vestige of supporting evidence. Philippa set up her Missing Princes Project to ferret out every trace of tangible evidence that could reveal their fate. With no evidence of death uncovered from the reign of King Richard, research groups and individuals signed up for the massive task of scouring archives around the world. And within a few years four documents miraculously came to light.

The irony of these discoveries is that history was already littered with clues that pointed to the elder Prince returning to claim his throne at the Battle of Stoke, and the younger Prince challenging Henry VII in the 1490s. But there was nothing to refute Henry VII’s cover-story that they were both fakes. And until now there was mystery surrounding how they left the Tower and made their way in the world before reappearing publicly. Philippa Langley’s researches offer the missing dimensions that fill in those gaps. Her work continues. But history will never again be satisfied with any unsupported accusation that Richard III killed the ‘Princes in the Tower’.

For information directly from Philippa Langley: https://www.revealingrichardiii.com/langley.html

Missing Princes Documentary Transmission Date Announced

A documentary to accompany Philippa Langley’s upcoming book ‘Solving History’s Greatest Cold Case’, will be shown on Channel 4 on Saturday 18th November at 8pm.

‘The Princes in the Tower: The New Evidence’ will feature Philippa, accompanied by criminal barrister Rob Rinder crossing the continent to find the truth about what happened to the boys known as the Princes in the Tower.

Philippa says: ‘It’s been an extraordinary journey filming The Missing Princes Project and its seven year cold case investigation into the mystery of the Princes in the Tower. By throwing out old mythology and starting with a clean sheet we were able to bring evidence based research to life on our screens, revealing the most remarkable discoveries, and writing a new chapter in the study of this centuries old puzzle. For all those interested in history, and this enduring mystery, this feature length documentary is going to be unmissable viewing.’

Executive producer Malcolm Brinkworth said: ‘After years of determined research, Philippa Langley and The Missing Princes Project have unveiled a series of revelations that could revolutionise our perspective on a notorious period in royal history – the enigma of the Princes in the Tower. Through Rob Rinder and Philippa’s eyes audiences will be taken inside this immersive and exciting new phase in the search for the lost princes.’

Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Emily Shields added: ‘The question regarding the fate of the Princes in the Tower remains one of the most persistent mysteries in British history. I’m thrilled to collaborate with Philippa Langley, Rob Rinder, and Brinkworth Productions on this landmark documentary for Channel 4 – all built on the remarkable research of people from across the UK and Europe.’

‘The Princes in the Tower: The New Evidence’ will be shown on Channel 4 on Saturday 18th November at 8pm.

New book to shed light on the Princes

A new book by Richard III Society Fellow, Philippa Langley is due to shed light on the mystery of the Princes in the Tower.

‘The Princes in the Tower: Solving History’s Greatest Cold Case’ will be published by The History Press on 17th November.

‘Following years of intensive research by Langley and her international team, the book reveals the findings of ‘The Missing Princes Project.’ Using investigative methodology, it places this most enduring of mysteries under a forensic microscope for the first time, unearthing astonishing new archival discoveries along the way.’

The Ricardian 2023

The 2023 issue of The Ricardian will be arriving with members in September.

Among the articles that will feature in this edition are:

‘The funeral and obsequies of Sir Ralph Verney, mercer, of London (d. 1478)’ by Richard Asquith.
‘Anne Plantagenet, Duchess of Exeter, her husband and her lover: the rise and fall of Thomas St Leger’ by Lynda Pidgeon.
‘Richard III’s Commissioners of Array in Hertfordshire’ by Heather Falvey.
‘‘This excellent but ageing Wykehamist’: Hugh Sugar, treasurer of Wells’ (d. 1489) by David Lepine.
‘Richard Lessy, dean of Cecily, Duchess of York’s chapel (d. 1498)’ by Joanna Laynesmith
‘The satin gown of Elizabeth of York’s funeral effigy’ by Lisa Monnas.
‘Abbess Elizabeth Gybbes of Syon Abbey and Anne of York, Duchess of Exeter’ by Virginia Bainbridge.

The Ricardian is published annually and is free to members of the Richard III Society. To join the Society, visit https://richardiii.net/membership/join-the-society/

SGM - 20th May 2023

The Society is holding a Special General Meeting on Saturday 20th May 2023 at 2.00pm. The meeting will be held via Zoom and has been called to discuss the proposal from the floor of the 2022 AGM – that adult subscriptions should be raised by £3 a year from October 2023.

Anyone wishing to attend the meeting MUST register with our Secretary, Sue Ollier, ahead of the meeting. Sue can be contacted at secretary@richardiii.net

Members who are unable to attend, but wish to have their say, can send a proxy vote either to our Chair, Matthew Lewis, at chair@richardiii.net or by post to:

Sue Ollier, Secretary, Richard III Society, PO Box 6430, Milton Keynes, MK10 1LQ.

Proxy votes must be received by 1st May 2023.

The History of King Richard the Third - new edition

Sir George Buc (AKA Buck) was a noted scholar, Ambassador for King James I, and Master of the King’s Revels. He admired Richard III and embarked on a carefully argued book defending him.

This was the very first serious defence of King Richard.

Unfortunately, for centuries his authentic manuscript of 1619 lay ignored and badly damaged…while a stolen travesty of it found its way into print. If you’ve come across that dreadful 1646/7 book, don’t be misled!

This new edition is the real thing – Sir George’s original work, lovingly transcribed by Ricardian scholar Arthur Kincaid.

- Its introduction takes you into Buc’s world of antiquarians and heralds, revealing their earnest search for truth.

- But the real meat for Ricardians lies in Kincaid’s extensive historical notes, reflecting our latest knowledge right up to 2021.

- N.B. Don’t miss his closing salvo, ‘Folklore and History’, with all guns blazing!

ISBN 978-0-85431-304-4 RRP £45 at www.oxbowbooks.com

Trade orders to martinashworth@pen-and-sword.co.uk

Price £36 to members of the Richard III Society: login to the Member’s Area for discount details.

Direct orders in North America can be placed with Casemate here: https://www.casemateacademic.com/9780854313044/the-history-of-king-richard-the-third/ For members’ discounted purchases from Casemate please see the Member’s Area.

Schools Conference 2023

The Richard III Society will once again be holding a Schools Conference on 15th March 2023 (attendance by Zoom). This will not be affected by proposed strike action on this day.

The Conference is aimed at Sixth Formers who are studying a 15th Century module as part of their History A-Level. The cost of registration is £60 per school and speakers include Lauren Johnson, Katherine Lewis, J L Laynesmith, Hannes Kleineke, James Ross, Matthew Lewis, Anne Curry and Sean Cunningham.

To find out more, including how to book, please visit https://www.warsoftheroses.com/schools-conference-15-march-2023/