News Archive 2020

14th February - Reinterment Events Cancelled

All events at Leicester Cathedral and the Visitor Centre for the weekend of 27th -29th March 2020 have been cancelled following government advice. Members who had booked for Christian Steer’s talk on Friday 27th March will have their money refunded by the Visitor Centre. The Cathedral hopes to be able to reschedule events at a later date. Please refer to their website for further information.

Society Events and Covid-19

Everyone will be aware of the present situation relating to the COVID-19 virus and the ever-changing Government restrictions being placed upon us all. Many of us are over 70 and now in some form of purdah or another. This is to let you all know that we will try to keep as much as possible active – The Bulletin and the website especially. Sadly, however, we have had to postpone the Exeter study weekend and most Branches and Groups are cancelling their meetings until further notice. The events in Leicester to commemorate the fifth anniversary of King Richard’s reinterment have been another casualty, of course. I would ask you to remember that members of the Executive Committee as well as Branch and Group organisers are all volunteers and they are all doing their best to stay safe. Let us get rid of this damned disease as quickly as possible so that life may return to normal again.

With the very best of wishes

Dr  P T Stone, Chairman

A Message from HRH The Duke of Gloucester

I have received the following from our Patron’s Private Secretary at Kensington Palace: ‘His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester has asked me to convey his best wishes to all your members, staff and volunteers while we enter this unprecedented period of uncertainty and worry. He is very much aware of the concerns that your people will have at the moment as this pandemic develops and would want you to know that you are all very much in his mind.’

With all best wishes to you all. Stay safe and stay well.

Dr P T Stone, Chairman

Stay Safe, Keep in Touch

During these difficult times the Society would like to keep in touch with our members as much as possible. The easiest way we do this on a daily basis is through our various social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). However, we are very aware that not all of our members can access these accounts. For any members who wish to be involved but don’t have social media, we are planning to arrange an email to anyone who wants us to every few days with some highlights from our social media pages. These are ranging from the lighthearted (we are currently inviting members to send in photos of their Ricardian pets, because we all need something lighthearted right now)to the more serious (a link to information about the glorious stained glass windows at York Minster), If anyone wishes to receive these emails please contact our Communications Manager, Amanda Geary, and she will be happy to help.

18th April - Membership Re-registration

Following the information in the March Bulletin about the need for all members to re-register their Society membership as we change to a Company Limited by Guarantee, I can now confirm that an explanatory letter and form for re-registration will be sent out to all members in a few days. I would urge everyone to complete and return the form in the pre-paid envelope provided to ensure that your membership continues after September.

Sue Wells, Membership Officer

26th April - Matthew Lewis

It is with regret that we have to let members know that Matthew Lewis has resigned from the EC/Board and from his role as Education Officer. We want to record our thanks to Matt for his contribution to the work of the EC/Board during his short tenure, especially for the energy and ideas he brought to the role of Education Officer. This resignation resulted from a principled disagreement, which raise some issues also of concern to others. The EC/Board will now work to address and resolve these concerns. We hope that, in the future, Matt may be able to return to a frontline role within the Society. In the meantime, he will continue to contribute in other ways.

We would welcome hearing from members with an educational background who would be interested in taking forward Matt’s work as Education Officer.

The Executive Committee/Board

11th May - Inquiry into the conduct of meetings and decision-making processes

The Board of Directors of the Richard III Society has now set up the independent inquiry promised in its last statement to members. Following the resignation of three valued Directors, two of whom were new to the Board, having been elected for the first time at the October 2018 AGM, the inquiry will examine the activities of the Executive Committee/Board in the recent past and its conduct of meetings and decision-making processes.

The full statement and more information.

As we enter a new stage in the existence of the Richard III Society, becoming a legally recognised body for the first time as a Company Limited by Guarantee, the Board welcomes this opportunity to review and strengthen the governance of the Society, while regretting the circumstances that have led to it.

The Board of the Richard III Society

27th May - Society AGM 2020 Cancelled

In these uncertain times it is unclear whether large gatherings will be possible in the foreseeable future. Our intended venue for the 2020 AGM and Members’ Day was York and it seems highly unlikely that we would be able to hold these in the way we had planned in accordance with social distancing requirements. To give venue and members plenty of notice, we have therefore reluctantly had to cancel the planned Members’ Day and AGM in early October. To ensure that we do not disappoint our members who were looking forward to visiting York, we now plan to hold the 2021 Members’ Day and AGM in York.

In the meantime, we do have a legal responsibility to hold an AGM. However, Companies House has stated that more flexibility on the timing and format of AGMs will be allowed due to the current coronavirus situation. Click here to read how the Board proposes moving forward in 2020.

The Board of the Richard III Society

1st June - Cancellation of Study Days

It is with great reluctance that the Leicestershire Branch and the Norfolk Branch have had to cancel their study days. The Leicestershire event was scheduled for 26th September 2020 and the Norfolk event for 7th November 2020. We do not know if the chosen venues will be open again by then and even if they are, social distancing would be very difficult, if not impossible.

We were not in time to prevent these events being advertised again in the June Bulletin, but they have now been cancelled.

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes but feel that everyone’s safety is paramount in these difficult times.

Branches and Groups Coordinator

22nd June - New Education Officer

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Iain Farrell to the post of Education Officer,

Iain is a retired secondary school teacher and is currently chair of governors of a community school in London. He has also been a schools inspector and is, therefore, fully cognisant with the education system in this country. He has a strong interest in fifteenth century English history and has recently been working with Philippa Langley on the Missing Princes Project, focussing on documents in the National Archives, Kew.

Having done considerable research into the current curricula for all levels of history teaching where the fifteenth century is concerned, Iain’s initial focus will be on producing supporting material for A level and the EPQ.

We wish him well and look forward to an interesting future.

The Board of the Richard III Society CLG

22nd June - Logge and English Wills Books offer

The Society will shortly be making digitised versions of these two publications available online. Before doing so, we are delighted to offer hard copies of both at a special price. Both volumes offer fascinating insights into everyday life and society in fifteenth century England. Please note that all copies of the English wills have now sold out. For further information about these publications and how to order please click here.

22nd June - Virtual Bosworth Commemorations

Virtual Bosworth Medieval Festival, Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd August 10.00am-5.30pm GMT

The Bosworth Medieval Festival has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, to commemorate the 535th anniversary of the battle, there will be a Virtual Festival held on 22nd and 23rd August.

Some of the participants of the Medieval Festival events will be involved, including a contribution from the Richard III Society and a pre-filmed Rose Laying Ceremony. Further details will soon be available here.

Annual Service to mark the death of King Richard III on 22nd August

It will not be possible to hold the usual service in Leicester Cathedral this year to mark the death of King Richard III, but there will be a pre-recorded service instead on 22nd August at 5.30pm GMT. The order of service will be posted on the Cathedral website and there will be a link to the YouTube service on the day itself. The Dean of Leicester will be leading the service and there will be readings by the High Sheriff of Leicester and Professor Turi King. A short sermon will be delivered by the Rector of Bosworth, The Reverend Mark Poskitt. A wreath will be laid at the tomb during the service. For further information, including the order of service and other links, click here.

7th September - Society PayPal Account - Resolved

We are pleased to say that the operational issues with the Society’s PayPal account (richard3society@yahoo.com) have been solved and the account is operational again. Apologies to any member who has been inconvenienced by its short suspension.

John Whiting, Treasurer

7th September - Prize Essay for Sixth Formers 2021

The Richard III Society is offering a prize of £200 or the best essay on a topic relevant to The Life and Times of Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III) 1452-85 submitted either as coursework or an EPQ to an awarding body by the end of May 2021.

There will be a second prize of £100 and a third prize of £50. All entries judged to be of at least grade A quality will qualify for one year’s free membership of the Richard III Society.

An intention to submit an essay should be sent by 31st October 2020 to education@richardiii.net stating the student’s name, their school or college name and the proposed essay title. The judges will be a panel of published authors on 15th century history. The deadline for sending entries will be dependent on the state of play of exams in 2021 and will be posted on the Richard III Society website. This deadline will be no earlier than the end of May 2021. Entrants must be under the age of 19 by 1st September 2021 and attending a school or college in the United Kingdom. Prize winners will be notified by 30th September 2021.

Iain Farrell, Education Officer

4th November - Society Zoom Presentation, 6th December 2020 **Fully Booked**

Following the success of the Zoom presentation given by James Wright on what would have been this year’s Member’s Day, the Society is commissioning a new series of presentations, to be delivered via Zoom and with diverse speakers covering a variety of topics. The first of the series will be given on Sunday 6th December. As before, the event will be free to Society members but please note that we are restricted to a total of 97 places plus the Speaker, Zoom host and Chair.

We are delighted to announce that the first presentation will be given by Matt Lewis.

Subject: The Survival of the Princes

Time: 14:00 (GMT)

Date: 6th December 2020

To attend you will need to be online, and have an email address, so that you can be sent the invitation to join the Zoom meeting. If you wish to attend, please send your name, email address, membership number and country (if outside the UK) as soon as possible to the event administrator Julia Langham. Bookings will be registered in order of receipt.

If you are not a Society member and are interested in joining, please see our membership rates and benefits. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible for another stimulating afternoon.

Susan Ollier, Society Secretary

4th November - Society Education Website Goes Live

The Society’s long-awaited education website on the life and times of Richard III, entitled ‘Wars of the Roses’ is now live. The website has been developed by Iain Farrell the Society’s Education Officer with the support of the Society’s Research Officer, Joanna Laynesmith.

The content of the website has been guided by the needs of teachers and exam providers to develop in pupils and students the critical analysis of sources and differing interpretations to reach a considered view of events in the distant past. To that end the website does not take a strongly partisan line in providing information about Richard III. The primary objective is to stimulate readers to find our more for themselves. To engage with young people the site includes many images and links to podcasts and videos.

The focus to date has been to provide information on the Wars of the Roses for students of A level History. However, following a request from teachers, the website also includes background on the 15th century, most of which so far is aimed at younger readers. In order to build up content for each age group and to keep the site lively Iain would be very grateful to receive input from any current or retired teachers. Iain can be contacted by email at education@richardiii.net

Please take time to visit the education website and to explore and enjoy our new resource.

18th November - Society Zoom Presentation, 5th February 2021

The second in our regular series of Zoom lectures will be given on Friday 5th February 2021. As before, this event will be free to Society members but please note that we are restricted to a total of 97 places, plus the Speaker, Zoom host and Chair.

We are delighted to announce that this presentation will be given by Yvonne Morley-Chisholm of the ‘A Voice for Richard Project’.

Subject: A Voice for Richard

Time: 14:00 (GMT)

Date: 5th February 2021

To attend you will need to be online, and have an email address, so that you can be sent the invitation to join the Zoom meeting. If you wish to attend, please send your name, email address, membership number and country (if outside the UK) as soon as possible to the event administrator Julia Langham. Bookings will be registered in order of receipt.

If you are not a Society member and are interesting in joining, please see our membership rates and benefits. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible for another stimulating afternoon.

PLEASE NOTE: The talk by Matt Lewis on Sunday 6th December 2020 is now fully booked and waitlisted. No further enquiries for this one please.

Susan Ollier, Society Secretary

23rd November - Society Essay Prize for Sixth Formers - extended deadline

We have received some notifications of entries for this new essay prize and have capacity for more so we are happy to receive notifications to submit essays to education@richardiii.net stating the student’s name, their school or college name and the proposed essay title, up to the end of January 2021 for submission in the summer of 2021.

So far all the essay titles notified focus on Richard III, but we also welcome titles which focus on his brothers or his parents of other significant personalities such as Margaret Beaufort or Henry Stafford and their relationships with Richard. Broader themes such as the relationship between Church and state, international relations, legitimacy and kingship are all acceptable.

Iain Farrell, Education Officer.

27th November - Fotheringhay Christmas 2020

As you are all aware, thanks to the pandemic, we are unable to hold our usual gathering at Fotheringhay with lunch and a carol service.

We cannot provide you with the lunch but we can offer a virtual form of the carol service. As far as possible, this will follow the usual pattern with the choir providing suitable music, including pieces from their CD, accompanied by appropriate images. The readings have been recorded by members of the Society and members of the choir.

The St Peter’s Singers and the Board of the Society invite you to join the service, most probably on YouTube, which will be premiered on Saturday 19th December at 3pm.

It will then be available until the 2nd January 2021, after which it will be withdrawn. Further details, including an order of service, will become available nearer the time, possibly three or four days before the service goes online.

For those who don’t wish to watch this but who do want to hear the wonderful choir, the CD is available from the Sales Department – details in the Bulletin.

27th November - Editor: RIcardian Bulletin

This key Society role, which has been advertised previously, is still vacant. After further discussion about the amount and nature of the work required, the EC/Board has determined the role should become a paid one. We are therefore re-adversiting it on that basis.

The post holder, with the support of the Bulletin Committee, will be responsible for planning and sourcing the magazine’s content. He or she will also take a lead role in the ongoing development of its style and content to meet the needs of the membership and the aims of the Society. The role and shape of the Bulletin Committee are currently under review and the Editor will play a major part in determining his future. The Editor’s role will require a commitment of up too  300 hours a year, much of it concentrating in the four weeks proceeding each quarterly issue. Renumeration will be determined by negotiation with the candidates.

Applicants should have relevant experience and candidates will be invited to an interview with EC/Board members conducted by Zoom. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will join the Bulletin team during the production cycle of the March 2021 Bulletin and take over the editorship at the beginning of the production cycle of the June edition.

For further information and to express an interest please email the Society’s Secretary by 15th January 2021.

30th December - Phil Stone

We have previously advised members of the sad news that our Chairman, Dr Phil Stone, passed away shortly before Christmas. The funeral will be held on Thursday 21st January at 2.45pm. The Society will be represented though it will be appreciated attendance at the funeral is extremely limited. There will be a live stream of the service (available for a further 28 days) for which we will send out the link.

The family have requested that no flowers are sent please; donations to MacMillan Cancer.