Events Archive

Zoom Talks

‘THE MONEY OF RICHARD III AND ITS CONNECTION TO THE EVENTS OF 1483-5’ BY CRAIG SMITH

SATURDAY 25 JULY 2026 AT 2.00PM (UK BST), 9.00AM (USA/CANADA EDT)

At the beginning of 1483 the production of coins was suspended ahead of an indenture between Edward IV and Bartholomew Reed who was made Master of the Mint in the February. Coins with a distinctive mark were then issued in Edward’s name from 12 February but on Edward’s death on 9 April it is unclear which coins continued to be produced and which can be attributed to the reign of Edward V, the protectorship under Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and the earliest part of the reign of Richard III.

As well as the above, this talk will cover the medieval moneymaking process and mints, the coinage of the late medieval period covering denominations and the legends they bear, and the ways to identify and sequence medieval coins using mint marks.

Craig Smith has been collecting and studying British hammered and milled coins for the last 50 years. He is a member of the British Numismatic Society, the Tyneside Numismatic Society and the Richard III Society.

‘MEDIEVAL PILGRIMAGE 1400-1485’ BY REBEKAH FANNING, SATURDAY 27 JUNE 2026

This talk will offer an overview of medieval pilgrimage from a Yorkist viewpoint, looking at shrines including Our Lady of Walsingham, St Mary the Virgin, and the shrine of St Edmund at Edmundsbury Abbey, with additional information relating to Humphrey Duke of Gloucester.

Rebekah Fanning is writing a comprehensive review of the life and times of Richard, Duke of York. She is the author of Candles and White Roses (2024), a novel set in 1454, and Blood and White Roses (2026). Rebekah is a former Non-Fiction Papers Librarian of the Society.

‘THE YORKIST POWER COUPLE: CECILY NEVILLE AND RICHARD DUKE OF YORK’ BY ANNIE GARTHWAITE, SATURDAY 30 MAY 2026

Cecily Neville’s mother was a king’s half-sister, Richard, Duke of York, was the son of a traitor. Together they became one of England’s most powerful partnerships, leading the House of York during the Wars of the Roses and overthrowing the Lancastrian regime. Two of their sons became kings, and their bloodline has flowed through the royal succession ever since. But who were Richard and Cecily? What made their partnership so powerful, their marriage so successful and their opposition to Lancaster so potent? Drawing on research for her bestselling novels Cecily (2021) and The King’s Mother (2024), Annie Garthwaite examines the personal dynamics of a relationship that re-shaped England.

Annie Garthwaite has been a member of the Society since her teens and is vice chair of the Mortimer History Society.

“FORSOOTH HERE WOLL WE LYE”: REINTERRING A DEPOSED KING, PITFALLS AND POTENTIAL BY EUAN ROGER, SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2026 

In 1483 Henry VI’s body was reinterred at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, after his death at the Tower of London and burial at Chertsey Abbey. The decision would subsequently provoke a furious debate over the deposed king’s final resting place: Westminster, Windsor or Chertsey? This talk explored the narratives behind the decisions made; the potential impact of the reinterment of a divisive king and the political context in which events unfolded. It also referenced previous attempts to reinter a deposed king under Henry IV and debates over the reinterment of Richard III.

Dr Euan Roger is a Principal Medieval Specialist at The National Archives, specialising in the records of late-medieval and early Tudor English government, the central law courts and the secular clergy. He has published on a wide variety of subjects and is currently writing a book on the late medieval college of St George’s, Windsor, to be published by Boydell & Brewer.

“ST GEORGE’S CHAPEL, WINDSOR, THE JEWEL IN THE YORKIST CROWN”, SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 2026 

Last year St George’s Chapel within Windsor Castle celebrated its 550th Anniversary. Building started in 1475 at the instigation of Edward IV, and it was completed some 50 years later in the reign of his grandson Henry VIII. The talk will explain the origins of the College of St George and its Chapel, the rationale behind the building of the Chapel we see today, and its purpose as the spiritual home of the Knights of The Garter. Particular attention will be paid to the connections to the Chapel of the three Yorkist Kings, Edward IV, Edward V, and Richard III, as well as their relatives and supporters. Brief reference will be made to what happened to the Chapel after the Yorkist period.

Michael Pitfield has been associated with the College of St George for the last 50 years. He has been a Steward, a Tour Guide at the Chapel, and latterly Director of the Society of Leadership Fellows at St George’s House. With a background of Board level roles in international business, alongside his career, Michael has been fascinated by history since childhood. He has published numerous articles on historical and genealogical topics. An article about his ancestor Sir Giles Daubeney (1451-1508) is in the March 2026 Bulletin.  He lives in Windsor and is a member of the Society.

Each lecture is restricted to 200 attendees. To attend send your name, email address, membership number and country (if outside the UK) as soon as possible to the event administrator, Julia Langham, j.langham39@btinternet.com. Please state clearly which Zoom lecture(s) you wish to attend. These events are free to Society members, but please note that bookings for places on the Zoom details will be registered strictly in order of receipt.  The Zoom details will be sent to all those registered about a week before each lecture.

If you are not a Society member and are interested in joining, please go to https://richardiii.net/membership/join-the-society/

LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH

‘MEDIEVAL BEE KEEPING’ BY CAROLINE WRIGHT

KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, 19TH MARCH 2026 AT 7.00PM

Beekeeping flourished during the Middle Ages with increased demand for honey and beeswax. Honey was used in food , drink and medicine, and the superior beeswax candles found favour with the nobility and the church. Caroline Wright will look at the industries that developed around bees and the practicality of keeping hives.

For more information please contact Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com

THE WARS OF THE ROSES: THE RICHARD III SOCIETY’S FOURTH ONLINE SCHOOLS CONFERENCE

TUESDAY 3RD MARCH 2026 – open to all sixth formers studying the Wars of the Roses

Programme:

Late Medieval Kingship – Professor John Watts, University of Oxford

Margaret of Anjou – Dr Joanna Laynesmith, University of Reading

Warwick the Kingmaker – Matthew Lewis, Author and Broadcaster

Richard III – Dr David Grummitt, Open University

Lady Margaret Beaufort – Lauren Johnson, Public Historian and Author

Yorkist Rebellions against Henry VII – Dr Sean Cunningham, The National Archives

Debate: Was Edward IV successful in 1471 more because of Yorkist strengths or Lancastrian weaknesses – Dr Hannes Kleineke (History of Parliament) and Dr James Ross (University of Winchester)

UCAS Presentation – Professor Helen Cowie, University of York

Find out more at our Education Website.

TELLING THE BOSWORTH STORY: 50 YEARS OF THE BOSWORTH BATTLEFIELD CENTRE BY RICHARD KNOX

SATURDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2026

Richard Knox, heritage development manager at Leicestershire County Council, offered an insight into the history and development of the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre which was opened by the Duke of Gloucester on 1st September 1974 at Ambion Hill Farm in Sutton Cheney. Since then both the research and understanding of precisely where the battle was fought has moved on – as has the Visitor Centre itself which has expanded. New discoveries, meanwhile, led to the battlefield trail being updated in 2010.

THE ANNE SUTTON MEMORIAL LECTURE

THE PRECINCT OF ST BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL, LONDON IN THE 15TH AND 16TH CENTURIES BY PROFESSOR CAROLINE BARRON

SATURDAY 24TH JANUARY 2026 

Professor Caroline Barron spoke about the community who lived in the precinct of St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London in the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. There is a mid-fifteenth century rental which gives the names of all the inhabitants and she will discuss who these people were and the community they formed. Recently, Professor Barron discovered (quite by accident) another rental account from the 1520s which now makes it possible to discuss how the inhabitants of the hospital precinct changed over the years. Caroline is an emeritus professor of medieval history at Royal Holloway, University of London. The focus of her research has been the history of London in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

This talk will appear on the Society’s Youtube channel in due course.

‘THE BLACK DEATH 1348-9’ BY JOE ROBEY, 6TH DECEMBER 2025 

Joe Robey will give an introduction to the Black Death and the doctors who tried to fight it. This talk will discuss the spread of history’s most devastating plague, its symptoms and its legacy. It will also discuss the attempts throughout history to combat the plague ranging from treatments to the origins of the infamous plague doctor uniform.

Joe is a living history interpreter at the Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester, specialising in swordsmanship. He gave a previous Zoom lecture to the Society entitled ‘Richard’s World’, about the events happening in Europe and beyond in 15th and early 16th centuries.

‘DEATH OF A YORKIST MAYOR:EXECUTING THE WILL OF SIR RALPH VERNEY (D. 1478)’ BY DR RICHARD ASQUITH, 22ND NOVEMBER 2025 

This talk will look at a remarkable and rare document: the accounts of the executors of Sir Ralph Verney, a Mercer and pro-Yorkist mayor of London who was knighted by Edward IV in 1471. Although many thousands of fifteenth-century wills survive, records detailing the work of executors and demonstrating how wills were actually carried out generally do not survive. Questions therefore arise that provide insights into all manner of aspects of life in fifteenth century England: what were the circumstances of creation and preservation for this document? How does it compare to Verney’s will? What do executors’ accounts tell us about life, death, commemoration and litigation in late medieval England?

Dr Richard Asquith was awarded his PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2022 for a thesis that examined the rare surviving sets of executors’ accounts relating to late medieval Londoners. He has published on London merchants, commemoration, and church building in the period, as well as treason and sedition during the Wars of the Roses,, and he co-edited with Dr Christian Steer Loyalty Binds Me: Yorkist Studies for Peter and Carolyn Hammond. He is archivist at the Vintners’ Company, London, a researcher on The New Complete Peerage, and a research assistant on the Historic Towns Trust’s new atlas of London on the eve of the Great Fire. He is secretary of the Yorkist History Trust and the Harlaxton Medieval Symposium, and is currently preparing an edition of the accounts of the executors of Sir Ralph Verney, to be published with the Yorkist History Trust.

‘GARDENS IN THE AGE OF CHIVALRY’ BY MICHAEL BROWN, 1ST NOVEMBER 2025

The gardens of the medieval castle and houses were very important to their owners as places to enjoy leisure time, but also for herbs grown for medicinal purposes. Presented by the North Mercia Branch.

‘THE BATTLE OF NORTHAMPTON 1460: A KING BETRAYED’ BY GRAHAM EVANS, SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2025 

The Battle of Northampton is one of the less well known battles of the Wars of the Roses. This was partly because it was believed that the battlefield had been lost in the 19th century to industrial development. Research by Glenn Foard for Historic England and the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society means that the site is now securely located in the grounds of Delapre Abbey and is one of two registered late 15th century battlefields in Northamptonshire. The battle is important for several reasons. After the battle Richard, Duke of York, made his claim for the throne thus making it a dynastic conflict rather than one for influence in the king’s councils. The battle is notable for several reasons – not least as it showed the Lancastrians trying to adopt a new form of warfare. The outcome of the battle would shape how combat would develop in England over the next two decades.

Graham Evans has been the Chair of the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society since 2022, having previously been both the Secretary and Treasurer. He studied Modern and Medieval History at the University of Sheffield. Following graduation he pursued a very successful career in wholesale Financial Services before retiring to follow other pursuits. He regularly delivers talks to history groups around the country on subjects such as the Battlefields of Northamptonshire, Civil War Northamptonshire, medieval kingship and Edward IV’s mid-reign crisis. His book on the battle of Edgcote published in 2019 to coincide with the 550th anniversary received the Northamptonshire Heritage Forum award for best publication. It has been described as a model for books about medieval battles and praised for its forensic approach to source materials. He achieved his 15 minutes of fame in the media by pointing out to Royal Mail that there were errors in their Wars of the Roses stamp collection.

‘WILLIAM HERBERT, EARL OF PEMBROKE AND THE YORKISTS IN WALES’ BY KATIE DUNGATE, SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2025 

The life and career of William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke (c.1423-1469) one of the forgotten men of the Wars of the Roses, is the subject of this lecture. Born in Raglan, south Wales, Herbert’s career was meteoric; he rose from a knight to earl in only eight years and became an influential adviser to Edward IV. Feted by Welsh poets but loathed by the premier ‘overmighty subject’ of England, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, Herbert’s story is one of a remarkable and ambitious man whose tactical skill and cultural identity made him ‘a bold lord with sword and dart…and keeper of Edward’s peace’ in Wales during the 1460s. By the end of his life, nearly all the judicial offices of Wales were held by Herbert himself, one of his family or affinity. How and why did a man rise to such prominence in Edward IV’s government? Katie will draw on government records, Welsh poetry and material culture from Herbert’s life. The focus will be on what he did and how this was remarkable in the context not only of the Wars of the Roses but within his status as a Welshman favoured by an English king.’

Society Zoom lectures are limited to 200 attendees. 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 meetings. 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 (j.langham39@btinternet.com). Please state which Zoom lecture(s) you wish to attend. These events are free to Society members, but please note that bookings for laces on the Zoom lectures will be registered strictly in order of receipt. The Zoom joining details will be sent to all members registered for a place about a week before each Zoom lecture. If you are not a Society member and are interested in joining, please visit this page for rates and benefits.

‘WHAT RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER HAD TO FEAR FROM THE WOODVILLES’ BY STEPHEN DAVID –

SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST 2025 

While Thomas Grey has been described as a political gadfly and the Woodville family characterised as being of little threat, this disregards their position around the Prince of Wales at Ludlow. Over a period of ten years Earl Rivers, Richard Grey and a variety of Woodville cousins came to monopolise power in Wales and the marches. By 1483 they controlled the principality plus three other great inheritances which combined had an income of over 10% of royal revenues. In addition they had control over the largest concentration of castles in the realm and over 300 offices. What is more, with Prince Edward they had control of the future.

Stephen has published two books through Amberley, Last Champion of York, a biography of Viscount Lovell and Birth of the Red Dragon, Wales and the Wars of the Roses. He has another, The Children of Perdition, the sons and daughter of Simon de Montfort, coming.

‘SPLENDOUR, INNOVATION AND DYNASTIC DISPLAY: THE BEAUCHAMP CHAPEL AT ST MARY’S WARWICK’ BY TIM CLARK – SATURDAY 26TH JULY 2025

Tim Clark, church historian at the collegiate church of St Mary’s Warwick and honorary research fellow at the University of Warwick will speak on the Beauchamp Chapel at St Mary’s regarded as the most spectacular funerary chapel of the late Middle Ages. Begun in 1441 to house the tomb of Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick, oversight of its construction became vested in his daughter, Anne in 1446. Anne was married to Richard Neville, eldest son of the 5th Earl of Salisbury, and in 1449 she became Countess of Warwick, with her husband earl jure uxoris.

The talk will concentrate on three aspects of the chapel: what makes it so highly regarded; the context of its art, unlike anything produced in England before; and the extent to which it can be discovered a work of Neville dynastic ambition.

‘THE WARS OF THE ROSES: HOW DID THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF LONDON AND THE LANCASTRIAN AND YORKIST QUEENS AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE STRUGGLE FOR THE THRONE?’ BY MELITA THOMAS – SATURDAY 28TH JUNE 2025 

During the Wars of the Roses, support for the House of York was strong in London. In 1461, and again in 1470, the City elite’s support for Edward IV helped secure his victory. To what extent can the City’s perspective on the conflict be attributed to the quality of relationships between it and the queen consorts – Marguerite of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville?

This session will explore the City’s expectations of its queens, comparing them with the women’s own conceptions of their role and their individual performances of it, to identify how similarities or discrepancies influenced the fortunes of the royal houses. Finally, it will discuss how the City’s relationship with Elizabeth of York contributed to the eventual resolution of the wars.

Melita Thomas has a MA in historical research from the Institute of Historical Research and is a final year doctoral candidate at UCL. Her thesis, ‘The Power of Networks and the Networks of Power’, uses social network analysis to re-examine the political and social networks of Mary I while her master’s dissertation examined how the relationship between the medieval queens of England and the City of London affected national politics.’

NORTH MERCIA BRANCH

‘COLDRIDGE CHURCH, DEVON’ – A ZOOM TALK BY JOHN DIKE –  7TH JUNE 2025

Presented by the North Mercia Branch. John Dike speaks about this tiny Devon Church via Zoom. There is a strong tradition that Coldridge was the last refuge of Edward V – older of the two Princes in the Tower. Philippa Langley is investigating this tradition as part of her ‘Missing Princes Project’.

‘FLOWERS “SPRUNG OF A TREE”: ANALYSING LANCASTRIAN AND EARLY YORKIST GENEALOGICAL DIAGRAMS, C. 1421-1471’ BY LAURA MELIN – SATURDAY 24TH MAY 2025 

During the reigns of Henry VI and Edward IV, a wide variety of condensed genealogical diagrams were created to underscore their right to both the English and international thrones in an easily-digestible format. This Zoom lecture will first explore a selection of Henry VI’s diagrams before examining how, given the rapid political turnover, Yorkist artists drew inspiration from them to create diagrams which elevated Edward’s Yorkist ancestry while ignoring, or suppressing, that of the Lancastrians. Laura Melin is a PhD student at the Courtauld Institute of Art whose research focuses on fifteenth-century English genealogical rolls.

‘THE DEVIL’S BROOD; POWER AND POLITICS UNDER THE PLANTAGENET KINGS OF ENGLAND 1154-1272’ BY DR NICK BARRATT, SATURDAY 12TH APRIL 2025

Dr Nick Barratt will explore the troubled relationship between Henry II and his sons, and the ways they created a machinery of government that enabled them to rule England whilst spending their time in their continental possessions across the Channel. When the bulk of these lands were lost under John in 1204, these same administrative institutions were used to generate vast sums of money to fund a campaign of re-conquest – leading to revolt, rebellion and a fundamental reform of the relationships between the Crown, the ruling elite and wider society.

Dr Barratt is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a visiting academic at the Open University and the Executive Director, Student Journey at Royal Holloway University London. He has presented and appeared on various TV shows and his books include The Restless Kings, The Forgotten Spy and Lost Voices from the Titanic: The Definitive Oral History.

‘ANTHONY WOODVILLE – SOPHISTICATE OR SCHEMER?’ BY DANIELLE BURTON, 8TH MARCH 2

Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer – Was Anthony Woodville, brother-in-law of Edward IV, really as bad as some have portrayed him, or was he really a man of many talents?

Danielle Burton is a historian, writer and history blogger. She has had a keen interest in history from a young age, having been a member of the Richard III Society since the age of 9. She has a First in History and an MA in Public History and Heritage. She has also worked in the heritage sector since 2016, most recently as an archive assistant at the Derbyshire Record Office.

‘THE YORKIST SURGEON – THE LIFE OF WILLIAM HOBBES’ BY STUART ORME – 22ND FEBRUARY 2025

William Hobbes was a remarkable character – the first Sergeant Surgeon (chief military surgeon) in our history, physician to Edward IV and Richard III, and a rarity in that he was a university educated physician, whilst also being a trained barber surgeon, the highest paid of his day. What was the story behind Hobbes’ scandalous personal life, sued by his wife for divorce? How much did he know about Richard III’s scoliosis? Discover the remarkable story of Hobbes’ life, times, and the medical professions in this talk.

Stuart Orme is an historian, writer, and Curator of the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon. He has long had an interest in both medieval and medical history and began researching William Hobbes as part of a role as a medieval re-enactor.

ANNE SUTTON MEMORIAL LECTURE

‘Y IS FOR YORK THAT IS MANLY AND MIGHTFUL’; VERSE ON THE YORKIST CAUSE IN ENGLISH MANUSCRIPTS C. 1450-1485 BY PROFESSOR JULIA BOFFEY – 18th JANUARY 2025

Short, anonymous poems in circulation in the years between around 1450 and 1485 allude variously to the Yorkist cause, some in straightforwardly celebratory mode, others more guardedly. What can the forms these poems took, and the nature of their transmission, reveal about the status and allegiances of those who composed, copied and read them? This talk will explore these issues through investigation of the range of fifteenth-century manuscripts that preserve poems about the Yorkist cause.

Julia Boffey is Professor Emerita of Medieval Studies in the Department of English at Queen Mary, University of London. She works on the production, transmission and reception of lade medieval and early sixteenth-century literature in Britain, especially poetry, and on late medieval literary culture more generally. Her publications include an edition of Middle English dream visions, a modern translation of part of The Great Chronicle of London, a book on Manuscript and Print in London c.1475-1530, and essay collections on Middle English lyrics and on Performance, Ceremony and Display in Late Medieval England. She has recently co-edited (with A S G Edwards) The Oxford History of Poetry in English. Volume III, The Fifteenth Century. She is a member of the council of the Early English Text Society and of the Harlaxton Symposium Steering Committee, and a managing trustee of the Yorkist History Trust.

A VOICE FOR KING RICHARD III – AFTER THE REVEAL BY YVONNE MORLEY-CHISHOLM – 5th DECEMBER 2024

Following the international launch event at York Theatre Royal on Sunday 17th November, Yvonne Morley-Chisholm will talk through the complex nature of the pioneering collaboration, the range of experts involved, their contributions over the ten-year process and how the final presentation came together.

Yvonne has been established for 44 years as an internationally recognised voice teacher and vocal coach. Credits at home and abroad to include America, Canada, the Middle East and Europe. Her work is mostly with actors, voice artists, performers and public speakers.

Formerly Head of Voice for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Yvonne’s theatre credits include the Royal National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on London’s South Bank. She has numerous West End credits as well as regional theatre including a long-standing relationship with York’s Theatre Royal. Beyond theatre her credits are in TV, radio and the ever-expanding world of voice artistry for animation, narration and computer games.

Both the art and science of voice have always appealed to Yvonne. The interface with medical practitioners has enabled her to work in relationship with Ear, Nose, Throat Consultants and a range of medical practitioners, particularly Speech and Language Therapists.

Over twenty years ago Yvonne developed the methodology and skills to create vocal profiling as a way for performers to safely and accurately imitate the voices of others. This approach has been used for stage and screen productions; most notably in several documentaries where historical re-enactment has been required.

Papers delivered to various conferences at home and abroad include for Voice Care Network UK and the British Voice Association. She co-authored More Care for Your Voice and published an App: Voice Coach (Apple and Android).

SAXON BARTON’S LIVERPOOL BY PATRICIA OXLEY – 16TH NOVEMBER 2024

Patricia Oxley’s talk will cover the sites associated with Saxon Barton with some history and background to each location and what he was doing professionally and with the Society at the time. Patricia has been a Ricardian for many years and is a member of the Society. She is a contributor to the Bulletin

SHIPPING IN THE MIDDLE AGES BY MARTIN MALE – 26TH OCTOBER 2024

Martin Male will offer an insight into the marine world of the Middle Ages, what life was like aboard and the challenges mariners faced then. His presentation will cover the gradual improvement in ship construction and design and how this affected maritime trade and the ‘Voyages of Discovery’ in the fifteenth century who owned and operated the ships and how sailing ships ‘work’, their navigation and limitations, and Martin hopes to bring some ‘sea air’ to the proceedings!

Martin has been interested in history all his life: many years ago a radio adaptation of Josephine Tey’s The Daughter of Time with Stratford Johns as the irascible policeman tweaked his interest in Richard. He became a member around the time Richard’s remains were discovered. Through the Society he has been to some very interesting talks by history re-enactors. The lesson learned from literally Living History’ by these dedicated folks helps to give us a more informed view of how our ancestors lived. Martin and his wife Jane have sailed many thousands of miles since buying their first yacht back in 1988. They have circumnavigated Britain and crossed the Bay of Biscay under sail. Martin was an Auxillary Coastguard for 14 years and has been trained to Yachtmaster Offshore level with the Royal Yachting Association.

THE SCOLIOTIC KNIGHT: RECONSTRUCTING THE ARMOUR OF RICHARD III BY DR TOBIAS CAPWELL –14TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Tobias Capwell will talk about his work on The Lost King and also about his work on the skeleton of Richard III and the TV programme Richard III: The New Evidence in which he was involved in building an armour and did some training with an acquaintance who has a scoliosis almost identical to Richard III’s. The two projects complement each other in many ways.

Toby is an independent scholar and leading authority on medieval and Renaissance arms and armour. Over the last 30 years he has worked with many of the world’s great collections, including the Imperial Armoury in Vienna, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Royal Armouries in Leeds, and has served as curator of Glasgow Museums and the Wallace Collection, where he worked for 16 years until January 2023. He is  a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Armourers in London. He is the author of many books on armour, weapons and tournaments.

THE CORONATION OF RICHARD III CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF THE RICHARD III SOCIETY BY MATTHEW LEWIS – 6TH JULY 2024

Join the New South Wales Branch for their discussion with Society Chair Matthew Lewis.

THE 1475 FRENCH CAMPAIGN: WAR AND CHIVALRY IN YORKIST ENGLAND BY DR DAVID GRUMMITT – 29TH JUNE 2024 AT 2.00PM

Edward IV’s 1475 French campaign is usually dismissed as a half-hearted attempt to restart the Hundred Years War, one that was greeted was indifference by many of the King’s subjects. The army that crossed he Channel that summer, despite being the largest assembled by any English King for service overseas in the late Middle Ages, has been derided for its lack of military effectiveness. Yet both the official documents and the reflections of foreign observers point to a different conclusion, placing Yorkist England at the vanguard of European military-chivalric culture.

Dr David Grummitt is an academic historian who has worked extensively on the fifteenth century, particularly the military and political aspects of the Wars of the Roses. He has published widely on the Calais garrison, the wider effects of war in late medieval and early Tudor England, and the reigns of Henry VI  and Henry VII.

THE GOLDEN WIDOWS & MISTRESS TO THE CROWN, ZOOM BOOK DISCUSSION WITH ISOLDE MARTYN – 15TH JUNE 2024 

Join the New South Wales Branch as Isolde Martyn discusses her novels The Golden Widows and Mistress to the Crown.

MUSIC, MUSICIANS AND SOUND IN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND BY JEZ SMITH – 20TH MAY 2024 

The presentation will explore the role of music in medieval society, looking at not only the types of instruments and who played them, but also the context of the music – including the social as well as the acoustic and auditory elements of music The historical record is not silent and by reviewing the evidence with a multi-disciplinary approach we can develop a greater understanding about this often overlooked aspect of historical research.

Jez Smith has more than 35 years if experience in playing music, with a focus over the last 20 years of playing and researching historical music and playing instruments such as bagpipes, hurdy gurdies, lute, gittern and the cittern. Jez is also a qualified museum professional and sound therapist.

HENRY II & ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE, ZOOM BOOK DISCUSSION WITH MATTHEW LEWIS – 28th APRIL 2024

An event organised by the New South Wales Branch.

Matthew Lewis will be discussing his book on Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

‘ARISTOCRATIC WOMEN’S READING CIRCLES’ BY SHEILA SMITH, 14TH APRIL 2024

A talk hosted by the Canadian Branch

ARTHUR KINCAID AND THE HISTORY OF RICHARD III BY GEORGE BUC –  A TALK BY ANNETTE CARSON, 13th APRIL 2024

In her book, Richard III: The Maligned King, Society Fellow Annette Carson earned Arthur Kincaid’s approval for her insightful handling of his publications on Sir George Buc and Sir William Cornwallis. Not only was she one of the few writers who actually brought his work to a wider readership, but it had prompted her into following certain lines of research herself, particularly concerning Richard’s Portuguese marriage negotiations.

It was during reburial week in 2015 when Annette and Arthur met and launched a plan, over dinner in Leicester, to realise his long-cherished dream of producing a thoroughly revised edition of Buc. Her involvement in the work meant that Arthur turned to her when plans for its publication were struck by disaster in 2021. Thus it was that she was responsible for the 2023 edition.

In the talk Annette will offer a taste of the Jacobean world of antiquarianism that Arthur Kincaid knew so well, but primarily she will discuss Arthur’s life and work, and his unwavering support for the real Richard III.

THE NEWPORT MEDIEVAL SHIP BY DR TOBY JONES – 23RD MARCH 2024

Nautical archaeologist Dr Toby Jones, curator of the Newport Medieval Ship – a fifteenth century clinker built merchant vessel found in the River Usk in Newport, South Wales, in 2002 – offers an introduction to this astonishing artefact and what it tells us. Jones has worked on several other projects around the world, including the Red River Wreck in Oklahoma, the Aber Wrac’h I wreck in Brittany and the Mica shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico. He has also participated in shipwreck surveys along the southern coast of Cyprus and in the Algarve in Portugal.

‘THE CORPUS CHRISTI GUILD OF YORK’ BY SHEILAH O’CONNOR – 10TH MARCH 2024

A talk given by the Canadian Branch.

THE BATTLE OF MORTIMER’S CROSS, 2/3 FEBRUARY 1461 BY IAN MADDOX – 24TH FEBRUARY 2024

Ian Maddox’s talk will bring the audience up to date on the current thinking on the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross in 1461. It follows a six year archaeological and landscape survey by the Battlefields Trust in conjunction with the University of Huddersfield. Famous for the three suns (parhelion), the battle was fought in the Yorkist heartland of North Herefordshire where Edward, Earl of March, spent his early ears growing up and playing in the local landscape. Edward’s victory at Mortimer’s Cross was the first step towards him becoming King and was the precursor to the decisive battle of Towton in 1461. Ian is the Charman of the Mortimer’s Cross Battlefield Project.

MARGARET OF YORK: HENRY’S DIABOLICAL DUCHESS BY JULIET HOWLAND – 11TH FEBRUARY 2024

An online talk arranged by the Canadian Branch.

BUCKINGHAM AND HIS REBELLION BY STEVE DAVID – 10TH FEBRUARY 2024

An online talk arranged by the Worcestershire Branch.

TONI MOUNT – 3RD FEBRUARY 2024

An online talk arranged by the Gloucester and Bristol Branch.

ANNE, RICHARD III AND ME BY DR LIVIA VISSER-FUCHS – 20TH JANUARY 2024

In the inaugural Dr Anne Sutton Memorial Zoom Lecture, the historian, author and Ricardian eminence grise Dr Livia Visser-Fuchs will look back at the research work which she and the late Anne Sutton carried out, and what they found out over the course of 35 years of their collaboration.

Dr Visser-Fuchs will reflect on how and why they worked so well together and use an unpublished paper that they gave at York some years ago to offer an overview of the important changes that they had been able to make to the image of Richard III. ‘Much of what I am going to repeat in this paper is now common knowledge among veteran Ricardians’, says Visser-Fuchs, ‘but that was not always the case. Some of the oddIties and fallacies that we tried to explain away or correct no doubt still linger among students of the fifteenth century and many of them are probably well worth reminding you of, the newer members especially’.

Dr Visser-Fuchs and Dr Sutton collaborated on a series of important Ricardian works including, The Hours of Richard III (1990) and Richard III’s Books (1997) as well as numerous articles published in The Ricardian. With Peter Hammond, Dr Sutton wrote The Coronation of Richard III (1983), and Richard III: The Road to Bosworth Field (1985).

‘RICHARD THREE – A PLAY ABOUT RICHARD AND DISABILITY’ BY PATRICIA ALLISON (EXTERNAL SPEAKER) – 14TH JANUARY 2024

A  talk organised by the Canadian Branch.

‘COMMUNICATION IN THE MIDDLE AGES’ BY JUDY HOWARD – 9TH DECEMBER 2023

A talk organised by the New South Wales Branch.

‘THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER: THE NEW EVIDENCE’ A TALK BY PHILIPPA LANGLEY AND ANNETTE CARSON – 9TH DECEMBER 2023

Philippa Langley is thrilled to be talking to members of the Richard III Society about her exciting news published in November, and her TV documentary putting the findings under scrutiny with various historians under the beady eye of well-known barrister Rob Rinder. This will be a two-hander with author and fellow researcher Annette Carson, who was at her side for the discovery of Richard’s grave in 2012. Annette will hope to flesh out the story of how Philippa set up The Missing Princes Project, and how it has managed to throw an entirely new light on what we know of the sons of Edward IV.

‘ROYAL WITCHES: FROM JOAN OF NAVARRE TO ELIZABETH WOODVILLE’ BY GEMMA HOLLMAN – 2ND DECEMBER 2023

The fifteenth century was a dangerous time to be at the English court. Between the wars with France and the civil war that exploded in the latter half of the century, even being a royal was not enough to save you. This was a lesson that four women soon found out when they were accused in turn of using witchcraft to manipulate the King. Friends turned to enemies and these women found themselves facing these crimes alone. Did they survive? Or were their lives ruined forever?

Gemma Hollman is an author and historian who specialises in the late Medieval period. Her two books, Royal Witches and The Queen and the Mistress focus on the lives of the elite women at the English court during this time. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, she also runs the Just History Posts blog and social media accounts.

‘HOW TO SURVIVE IN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND’ BY TONI MOUNT – 18TH NOVEMBER 2023

What was everyday life like in Medieval England? Imagine you were transported back to the time of Richard III and had to start a new life without mobile phones, sat-nav or social media. When transport meant walking or, if you’re lucky, horse-back, how will you know where you are or where to go? Where would you live and what is there to eat? Who can you turn to if you fall ill or are mugged in the street? What should you wear and how can you avoid causing offence? All these questions and many more are answered in this fascinating talk.

Toni Mount is the best-selling author of popular history books such as Everyday Life in Medieval London. How to Survive in Medieval England was the first of Toni’s three book ‘survival’ series for Pen & Sword History and was published in 2021. Her eleven-book Sebastian Foxley medieval murder series has an international following and more novels are on the way.

Toni is a long-standing member of the Richard III Society’s Research Committee, and a regular contributor to the Ricardian Bulletin. She teaches history to adults, gives talks to groups an societies and has produced a unique collection of online courses at MedievalCourses.com.

Toni has a Masters Degree by Research from The University of Kent, which was supported by a bursary from the Society, a first class honours degree and Diplomas in European Humanities and in English Literature and Creative Writing from the Open University. You can find more about her studies, books and classes at tonimount.com.

‘MARRIAGE, SEX AND PROSTITUTION IN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND’ BY RAY RAWLINGS – 12TH NOVEMBER 2023

A zoom talk from the Canadian Branch of the Society,

‘MAID OF MIDDLEHAM’ A TALK BASED ON HER BOOK BY BRIDGET M BEAUCHAMP – 7th OCTOBER 2023

Bridget says she has always enjoyed history but with the finding of Richard III’s grave and reinterment, her interest was renewed and focussed to the point of obsession with this fascinating and much maligned young statesman. After reading through everything she could find on Richard and joining the Society, she felt compelled to put down her thoughts, but not being a qualified historian, the only way to do this was in a novel. Historical novels can often be a gentle introduction to a particular subject and like many others before, hers was The Daughter of Time. Living only an hour’s drive from Middleham Castle in Wensleydale, she found herself drawn to this lovely place and climbing up to the top of the castle keep. Maid of Middleham is the result, soon to be followed by a sequel entitled Cleave to the Crown.

Bridget is a retired grandmother from Cumbria and studied for a Graphic Design diploma at art college. She began her career in London as a book designer. After her marriage she moved to Cumbria where she brought up her children. Since reinterment she found time to write and indulge her passion for all things Ricardian. She is an enthusiastic member of the Richard III Society, the Yorkshire Branch and the North Mercia Branch and also the Northern Dales Richard III Group in Barnard Castle. She is delighted to have made many new friends with whom she can share her commitment for seeking out the truth about Richard III.

ANGLO-SCOTTISH RELATIONS IN THE AGE OF RICHARD III BY DAVD SANTIUSTE – 9th SEPTEMBER 2023

David’s talk will provide an overview of Anglo-Scottish relations in the late fifteenth century. This will include some analysis of important political events, including Richard’s invasion of Scotland in 1482. However, David will also take a broader view, considering topics such as migration, religion and trade.

David Santiuste is a teaching fellow in history and humanities at the Centre for Open Learning, University of Edinburgh. He is the author of Edward IV and the Wars of the Roses and The Hammer of the Scots: Edward I and the Scottish Wars of Independence. His other publications include a study of Richard III’s Proclamation for the Reform of Morals, which can be found in Medieval Sexuality: A Casebook.

THE WORLD OF RICHARD III BY JOE ROBEY – 12TH AUGUST 2023

Joe’s presentation will focus on the historical events that occurred during the 15th century beyond the shores of Richard’s England. He will cast a wide net over the period including events in 15th century Central and Eastern Europe and Russia, China, Japan and India. From civil wars to religious revolution, this century was a tumultuous one where the events that took place would change the course of history forever. Joe conceived the idea for his presentation where he was working as an interpreter at the King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester where visitors gain hands-on experience of medieval events in England during Richard’s time into context for overseas visitors.

History with Joe is a living history company based in Leicester that delivers talks, workshops, lectures and interpretation days to a variety of audiences. He has given talks as the Sword Master at the Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester where visitors gain hands-on experience of medieval swords and can find out just how heavy a battle sword is, and the strength needed to go into battle.

THE FOREIGN POLICY OF EDWARD IV AND RICHARD III BY MATTHEW LEWIS – 15TH JULY 2023

Yorkist Foreign Policy is often overlooked as focus is drawn by the internal struggles of England during the Wars of the Roses. Matt Lewis examines the relationships, friendships and rivalries across the Channel that helped to define he reigns of Edward IV and Richard III. Exploring these connections offers a different perspective on the downfall of the House of York and the Plantagenet dynasty.

Matt is an author and historian, senior presenter at History Hit, co-host of the Gone Medieval podcast, and Chair of the Richard III Society.

THE DEATH OF RICHARD III: CSI MEETS HISTORY BY PROFESSOR SARAH HAINSWORTH – 10TH JUNE 2023

After Richard III’s skeleton was discovered in 2012, modern forensic techniques were used to analyse the injuries to the skull, rib and pelvis. Professor Sarah Hainsworth’s talk will discuss what micro-computed x-ray tomography reveal about the injuries inflicted on him, and his probable cause of death, and how well the findings align with the historical record. This lecture will discuss how modern forensic engineering science has provided insights into analysis of the injuries.

With research interest in materials for automotive and power plant applications, and in forensic engineering related to knife crime and tool mark characterisation, Sarah was at the University of Leicester in 2012 and part of the research team that worked on the discovery of Richard’s skeleton. She is now pro-vice-chancellor (research) at the University of Bath.

BOSWORTH, THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE BATTLEFIELD BY RICHARD MACKINDER – 13TH MAY 2023

Richard Mackinder will explain how archaeological evidence, discovered by painstaking work on the ground, has put this historic battle into the modern landscape. Drawing on the latest research, he will go through each phase of the battle, from the campsites of the armies on the night before, to the movements of men across the field during the battle and the major episodes such as the death of the Duke of Norfolk, the intervention of Sir William Stanley and the death of Richard III. At each stage he will recount what happened, where it happened and what physical evidence has survived. A vivid impression of the battle will emerge that is closely linked to the landscape.

Richard worked at the Bosworth battlefield for over 20 years, starting as one of a team of four countryside rangers who managed the site. He was a key proponent in exploring and discovering the true location of the battlefield. His book, Bosworth: the archaeology of the battlefield, was published in 2022.

ALIENS IN YORKIST ENGLAND BY SHEILAH O’CONNOR – 15TH APRIL 2023

We are delighted to announce that on Saturday 15th April 2023 Sheilah O’Connor of the Canadian Branch will reprise the lecture that she gave to her Branch in 2022, ‘Aliens in Yorkist England’, by Zoom to a wider audience within the Richard III Society.

Sheilah will describe the importance of European merchants, craftsmen and apprentices who made their way to England largely for trade purposes. She will also explain how aliens such as Sir Edward Brampton could become citizens and serve the King directly.

She will cover the activities of the Hanseatic League and the Merchant Adventurers, and will touch on how members can search England’s Immigrant Database to learn more about the aliens who made England their home.

Sheilah has been Secretary of the Canadian Branch for many years, having previously served as the Chair and Librarian. She also runs the Canadian Branch’s website and helps out on the Wars of the Roses website. She is a knowledgeable and well respected amateur historian. Her paper ‘Francis Lovel and the Rebels of Furness Fells’ in the March 1987 Ricardian was the first mention of the Letter of Safe Conduct issued to Lovel from Scotland after the Battle of Stoke. Her talk at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, during the summer of 2022 was to a sold out audience although since she was one of three speakers, Sheilah says that she can’t claim full credit.

BRITAIN’S BLOODIEST DAY? THE BATTLE OF TOWTON 1461 BY DAVID SKILLEN – 25TH MARCH 2023

Ask people to name famous battles in Britain and you get Hastings, Bosworth and occasionally Waterloo! Yet few have heard of Towton, one of the most decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses, and, possibly, the bloodiest battle on British soil. On a bitterly cold day in March 1461 the houses of York and Lancaster struggled for the crown on a snow-covered plateau in Yorkshire. Here fought kings, dukes, lords and ordinary men. And here they died. David Skillen will talk about the two kings who fought, walk the Bloody Meadow and cross the Bridge of Bodies and see how one Yorkist Lord had a ‘cunning plan’.

David is a professional speaker on historical subjects. He was a member of the Towton Battlefield Society in Yorkshire and was also a battlefield guide for the Society for seven years.

REVEALING GREYFRIARS BY DR MATHEW MORRIS – 25TH FEBRUARY 2023

Saturday 25 February 2023 at 14:00 (GMT)

The discovery of King Richard III’s remains, lost for 500 years, during an archaeological excavation at Greyfriars in 2012 was a worldwide news sensation. In this talk Mathew will describe what the latest archaeological and historical research reveals about the history and development of this important medieval institution and the people who worshipped in and were buried in the church of the Grey Friars. This includes the discovery of a mysterious high status lady buried in a lead coffin.

Mathew, project officer at University of Leicester Archaeological Services, has extensive archaeological experience, having excavated a wide range of rural and urban archaeology across the Midlands.

THE UNSUNG HEROINES OF THE WARS OF THE ROSES BY DR JOANNA LAYNESMITH – 21ST JANUARY 2023

Evil queens, helpless pawns and even witches: these are the women who appear in most versions of the Wars of the Roses. Yet there were dozens of women who played their part courageously in the politics of this turbulent age. This talk will share stories of women whose roles have been written out of the history books.

Joanna Laynesmith will be repeating her presentation first given in February 2022. Priority will be given to members who were on the waiting list last time but unable to get a place. Joanna serves on the Research Committee of the Society and on the Ricardian Bulletin Committee. Her books include The Last Medieval Queens and Cecily, Duchess of York.

CREATING HISTORICAL MONSTERS: KING RICHARD III AND VLAD TEPES DRACULA FROM A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE BY DR CRISTINA MOURON-FIGUEROA, UNIVERSIDADE DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (SPAIN) – 19TH NOVEMBER 2022

Cristina Mouron-Figueroa’s lecture will undertake a comparative study between Richard III and Vlad Tepes Dracula, voivode of Vallachia. The original idea for the analysis arose from the reading of M J Trow’s Vlad the Impaler: In Search of the Real Dracula (2004) in which the author points out some obscure similarities between Richard III and Vlad Dracula. William Shakespeare and Bram Stoker created two of the most evil characters of universal literature out of two historical contemporary rulers. The lecture offers a comparative analysis of these two mythical ‘monsters’ by taking as a reference the historical men behind both myths. It will also prove how two contemporary historical rulers of the 15th century, living around 1,550 miles apart, were brought together and transformed into historical and literary monsters due to the political propaganda of their enemies and the inspiration of Shakespeare and Stoker. Indeed, the lives of these two controversial princes share more similarities than one might think.

Cristina Mouron-Figueroa is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of English and German Philology of the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (Spain). She has taught a wide range of subjects with a progressive specialisation in the history and culture of the British Isles and William Shakespeare. Her research profile is related to the history and culture of Later Medieval England, analysing evidence from historical and literary sources. At present, she is researching on the role of the historical and mythological figure of King Richard III. In this regard, she was awarded a grant by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports to develop a research project entitled Adaptations and Reinterpretations of the Historical Character of King Richard III in Recent British TV-series and Literature: History, Fiction and Mythology, which she carried out as an Honorary Visiting Fellow of the University of Leicester in 2017-18. She is also a member of the Richard III Society.

THE LOST KING: A ROYAL JOURNEY WITH PHILIPPA LANGLEY AND MATT LEWIS – 30TH OCTOBER 2022

Join Philippa Langley and Matt Lewis as they discuss The Lost King film. Matt will be asking Philippa a series of questions about the film and her ‘Looking for Richard Project’ which inspired it. In the first 40-50 minutes, Matt will pose questions to Philippa which have been submitted by members at time of registration, and in the final 20 minutes of the lecture Philippa and Matt will take questions from the online audience.

The Lost King tells the story of Philippa’s discovery of the lost grave of King Richard III in a council car park in Leicester in 2012, for which she received the Society’s Robert Hamblin award. Staring Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan and directed by Stephen Frears, The Lost King is the life-affirming true story of a woman who refused to be ignored and who took on the country’s most eminent historians, focusing them to think again about one of the most controversial kings in England’s history.

Matt visited the set of The Lost King in Edinburgh during filming in the spring of 2021. He also visited the archaeological dig at the car park in Leicester in 2012 for its open day.

Philippa Langley is an author and producer and Honorary President of the Scottish Branch of the Richard III Society. She is also a Director and Fellow of the Society.

Matt Lewis is an author and historian, senior presenter at History Hit, co-host of the Gone Medieval podcast, and Chair of the Richard III Society.

THE FOODS AT THE CORONATION OF RICHARD III BY MARC MELTONVILLE – 24TH SEPTEMBER 2022

Marc Meltonville, food historian, will be giving an illustrated talk looking at the food served at the coronation of Richard III and Anne Neville on 6th July 1483 from the perspective of production, cookery, serving and status. From this menu he will attempt to unpick the world below the table and bring a sample list of dishes into focus in a medieval world.

Marc has been a food historian for nearly 25 years. His projects have ranged from events for the Historic Royal Palaces, through preparation of chocolate in Georgian kitchens to Neolithic feasting at Stonehenge.

Marc originally trained in ceramic history, starting as assistant curator of a museum full of furniture. He was taken under the wing of noted food historian Peter Brears, with whom he worked on many of the great stately home kitchens.

Marc points out that the study of food is actually the study of life, it is so much more than eating.

THE SURVIVAL OF THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER BY MATT LEWIS – 13TH AUGUST 2022

Matt is repeating his lecture from December 2020 so that those who missed out will get a second chance to hear his fascinating presentation.

Matt takes a fresh look at the enduring mystery of the Princes in the Tower. Using documentary evidence, as well as the behaviour of key people wrapped up in the story, Matt examines what we really know, and whether we have been asking the wrong question for centuries. Instead of thinking about who murdered the Princes in the Tower, what if we ought to be considering the Survival of the Princes in the Tower?

Matt is an author and historian, senior presenter at History Hit, co-host of the Gone Medieval podcast and Chair of the Richard III Society.

THE MIDDLEHAM JEWEL IN CONTEXT: DISCOVERY, ANALYSIS AND MEANINGS BY DR KATE GILES – 16TH JULY 2022

In her lecture, which was first given to the Society at the Members’ Day in York in October 2021, Dr Kate Giles will reprise her analysis of this exquisite object in the Yorkshire Museum, telling the story of its discovery, analysis and interpretation, including new thoughts resulting from recent research by the York Museums Trust and the University of York. The Middleham Jewel was found in the 1980s by a metal detectorist and acquired by the Yorkshire Museum in the early 1990s. Since then, further discoveries and analysis have shed light on its possible meanings as a late medieval jewel with a complex biography, which raises intriguing questions about its commission, ownership, use and loss.

Kate will share her thoughts and invite further reflections with members, who may have their own stories or ideas about its relevance to Richard III and his household.

Dr Kate Giles is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at the University of York and Co-Director of its Centre for the Study of Christianity & Culture, with particular expertise in historic buildings.

HERBERT FAMILY OF RAGLAN BY DR MATTHEW WARD – 25TH JUNE 2022

We are delighted to announce that June’s Zoom presentation will be given by Dr Matthew Ward, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham.

Dr Ward will focus on the Herbert family of Raglan (Monmouthshire) and their role in the Wars of the Roses. The Herbert family played a crucial role in the Wars of the Roses, particularly during the period up to 1469. William Herbert (d. 1469) and his Welsh affinity were key to early Yorkist success and Edward IV rewarded him handsomely for his support, creating him Earl of Pembroke. Herbert, along with several of his kin, were killed after the Battle of Edgcote in 1469 and the family subsequently became less influential. Despite their fall from grace, the Herberts left a rich cultural legacy including manuscripts and church monuments. The also made extensive additions to Raglan Castle.

In this talk Matt will look at the Herberts’ involvement in the Wars of the Roses and discuss their legacy. Matt also teaches for the Lifelong Learning Department at Aberystwyth University, offering courses on Richard III and the Wars of the Roses. His first book The Livery Collar in Late Medieval England and Wales (Boydell Press) is now available in paperback. He is currently writing his second book which examines loyalty during the fifteenth century. This will be published by Manchester University Press.

MEDIEVAL HERALD IN PEACE AND WAR BY DAVID FAWCETT – 14TH MAY 2022

We are delighted to announce that May’s Zoom presentation will be given by David Fawcett.

David Fawcett will explore the role of the Medieval Herald in Peace and War. David is a member of the Society based in Wiltshire, who is part of Salisbury Cathedral’s Education Programme. His historical research has tended to focus on lesser-known aspects of Medieval life, and the Medieval Herald attracted David’s interest as its beginnings seem to be shrouded in obscurity. This would include what their social status would have been. Their role interested David, a former military policeman, whose roles in peacetime and war differed somewhat. It seemed natural that the Medieval Herald might also need to have a second skill set in order to serve his master during times of conflict. The basis of David’s research formed the subject matter of his lecture.

David has been employed by English Heritage, CADW, The Chalke Valley Festival of History as well as local history groups and schools.

AGM & Members' Days

SPECIAL RECEPTION FOR MEMBERS ONLY, GUILDHALL, LEICESTER – FRIDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2025

An opportunity for members to attend a party at the historic Leicester Guildhall built in 1390, which Richard III would have known personally. This evening includes a two-course hot buffet supper. Entertainment will be provided by the renowned storyteller, Richard York and his wife Liz, who plays historical music on early harps, percussion and sings. A short story will be presented at around 7.30pm with supper served at 8pm and a longer story with harp-playing from around 8.45pm

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & MEMBERS’ DAY, THE GRAND HOTEL, LEICESTER – SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2025

Featuring Dr Toby Capwell in conversation with Dominic Smee with demonstrations – ‘Clothing, Armour and Scoliosis’, and Professor Caroline Wilkinson will give the Isolde Wigram Memorial Lecture on recreating Richard III. The AGM will then begin at 2.30pm.

MEDIEVAL STYLE BANQUET, QUEENS HALL, THE GRAND HOTEL, LEICESTER – SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2025

A medieval themed event offering a fun evening for all with entertainment and wine included. A cash bar will also be available. Dress code: medieval dress preferred but not mandatory!

COACH TRIP TO BOSWORTH BATTLEFIELD HERITAGE CENTRE, SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2025

The Society coach trip to Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre stops at Kirby Muxloe, a fortified mansion built for William, Lord Hastings on the way.

CENTENARY MEMBERS’ WEEKEND AND AGM

27TH – 29TH SEPTEMBER 2024, YORK

The main venue is the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, Fossgate, York (costs apply for the optional events on the Friday and Saturday evenings, and the Sunday. The core Members’ Day and AGM are free to members).

Beginning with a party on the Friday (where there will also be a debate between Chair Matt Lewis and historian Nicola Tallis), the Members’ Weekend and AGM centres on the Saturday where there will be a panel discussion on the Society’s centenary with Matt Lewis, Annie Garthwaite, Dr David Grummitt and Philippa Langley, followed by the annual Isolde Wigram Lecture, given by John Saunders – in addition to stalls and stands from Ricardian groups. The AGM is in the afternoon and will include a round-up of the Ricardian year by Matt Lewis, followed by a dinner in the evening. On Sunday there is a Society group excursion to Middleham Castle.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND MEMBERS’ DAY

READING MUSEUM AND TOWN HALL, BLAGRAVE STREET, READING. BERKSHIRE RG1 1QH 

SATURDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023 FROM 9.30AM

The keynote event is the Isolde Wigram Memorial Lecture: this year the Society is delighted to welcome Dr Joanna Laynesmith, the newly named Editor of The Ricardian, who will speak on ‘Political Prophecy and the House of York’. In addition this year we will also be hosting a second event at the Members’ Day – a question and answer session with Philippa Langley, who will be talking about The Lost King, the latest on The Missing Princes Project and Ricardianism in general.

The day will also include a presentation from Matt Lewis, the Chair, about the Society and updating members on the status of various projects it is undertaking. ‘I encourage all members to come to the Members’ Day,’ says Matt. ‘It’s a great way to meet other Ricardians and discover more about the Society – as well as the life of Richard III’.

This year’s meeting will again be a hybrid event with the keynote speakers and AGM streamed live via Zoom for those not attending in person.

In addition there will be stalls and stands from different Branches and Groups, the Barton Library and various Society committees for attendees to visit and enjoy.

SOCIETY AGM & MEMBERS’ DAY – 1ST OCTOBER 2022 

Mercure Grand Hotel, Leicester

Our annual opportunity for members to meet old friends and new, alongside hearing the latest news about the Society’s current and future plans. As with last year’s meeting, the event will take place in person and streamed via Zoom.

Conferences

TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, HOLIDAY INN BARNWOOD, GLOUCESTER – 19TH-21ST APRIL 2024

The Society’s 15th Triennial Conference will take place on 19th-21st April in Gloucester. For the first time it is also planned that talks from the conference be broadcast over Zoom. The talks are –

From Fellowship to Company Limited by Guarantee – reflections on 100 years of the Richard III Society from the origins in 1924 to its refounding in 1956 and development over subsequent decades. This will be delivered by John Saunders, a long-standing member of the Society and the former editor of The Ricardian Bulletin.

Richard’s Itinerary, 1452-1483: work on this important aspect of Richard’s life was begun by the late Dr Lesley Boatwright and continued after her death by Marie Barnfield, who will deliver this paper. She will describe the development of the project, the multiple challenges along the way and, most importantly, the valuable contributions it will offer to the long-standing debate around where Richard spent his time and why.

The English Court through Burgundian Eyes: the Smithfield Tournament May-June 1467 by Dr Livia Visser-Fuchs

The Death of a Yorkist Mayor: Sir Ralph Verney (d. 1478): reconstructing the afterlives of medieval people can be just as difficult (and rewarding) as studying their lives. Using the accounts kept by the executors of Sir Ralph Verney, a mercer, this paper takes the example of one exceptionally well documented death from the Yorkist period and investigates what happened in the days, months and years that followed. The paper will be delivered by Dr Richard Asquith, secretary of the Richard III and Yorkist History Trust who is editing the executor’s papers for publication with the Trust.

Ricardianism: Where next? by Matthew Lewis, Chair of the Richard III Society.

The conference will begin with registration from 4pm on the Friday and the first talk will be early evening followed by a three course dinner. After breakfast on Saturday morning there will be two further talks followed by a buffet lunch. In the afternoon there will be the opportunity for attendees to make their own way into the city or to join one of two proposed excursions. The day will end with the conference dinner. The final talks will take place on Sunday morning, followed by lunch and dispersal.

SCHOOLS CONFERENCE – 27TH FEBRUARY 2024

This conference is open to schools and colleges teaching a 15th century history module. Speakers include Professor John Watts, Dr James Ross, Dr Rachel Moss, Dr Hannes Kleineke, Lauren Johnson, Professor Steven Gunn, Matthew Lewis, and Nathen Amin.

SCHOOLS CONFERENCE – 15TH MARCH 2023

This conference is aimed at 6th formers who are studying a 15th century module as part of their history A-level. Speakers include Lauren Johnson, Katherine Lewis, Joanna Laynesmith, Hannes Kleineke, James Ross, Matthew Lewis, Anne Curry and Sean Cunningham.

SCHOOLS CONFERENCE – 28TH JUNE 2022

Wars of the Roses: The Key Personnel – Schools conference for year 12 students

This conference is sponsored by the Richard III Society and is being provided at the request of teachers. It is aimed at Year 12 students studying a 15th century option with an A level provider.

The event, which will be held online, contains a full programme of speakers who will present and discuss primary sources on key individuals of the Wars of the Roses, Q&A sessions are to be provided at the end of each presentation to allow students to interact with the speakers.

In Person Talks

LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH

‘JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM IN THE 15TH CENTURY’ BY RICHARD SMITH, 16TH APRIL 

Richard Smith’s talk was based on William Wey’s own itineraries of his journeys to Jerusalem in 1458 & 1462.

JOHN ASHDOWN-HILL MEMORIAL LECTURE 2026

UPDATE ON A VOICE FOR RICHARD WITH YVONNE MORLEY-CHISHOLM, 11  APRIL 

Delivered by Yvonne Morley Chisholm, the founder of the A Voice for Richard project, and organised by the North Mercia Branch.

‘CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE AGES’ BY EDDIE SMALLWOOD, 20TH NOVEMBER 2025

Eddie Smallwood will tell us all about Christmas customs from late medieval times. Where do our Christmas customs originate and how much of what we do today would someone from the late Middle Ages even recognise? Presented by the Leicestershire Branch.

‘THE BATTLE OF STOKE FIELD’ BY KEVIN WINTER, 16TH OCTOBER 2025 

The Battle of Stoke Field fought on 16th June 1487 was the last battle in the Wars of the Roses. Kevin Winter, of the Battlefields Trust, will examine the details of the battle. By October results from stable isotope analysis may be available, giving us more information on human remains found on the site. Presented by the Leicestershire Branch.

‘OUTLAWS IN THE MIDLANDS’ BY GARETH KING, 18TH SEPTEMBER 2025 

A welcome return to Gareth King who will enlighten us about the outlaws in our area, starting with the early 14th century Folville gang. The Folvilles were led by Eustace Folville who came from Ashby Folville in Leicestershire. Presented by the Leicestershire Branch.

‘KATHERINE SWYNFORD AND JOHN OF GAUNT’ A TALK BY FRANCES SPARROW – THURSDAY 26TH JUNE 2025

A 14th century love story between a king’s son and a foreign governess. Richard III’s grandmother was their daughter Joan. The rest of their descendants, known as the Beauforts, played a considerable role in the Wars of the Roses. Presented by the Leicestershire Branch.

‘RICHARD III – A TURNING POINT’ BY MATTHEW LEWIS – 10TH MAY 2025

Presented by the North Mercia Branch.

‘RICHARD III – THE NORTHERN KING’ BY GRAHAM MITCHELL – 8TH MARCH 2025

Presented by the North Mercia Branch. Graham is the Secretary of the Yorkshire Branch. He gave this excellent talk at the Middleham Festival in July 2024. It is very informative for beginners and consolidates the facts about Richard III for other Ricardians.

THE BARBER SURGEON – 9TH NOVEMBER 2024

A talk by Eddie Smallwood. Hosted by the North Mercia Branch.

‘THE FIRST BRITISH MILITARY SURGEON – THE LIFE OF WILLIAM HOBBES’ BY STUART ORME – 17TH OCTOBER 2024

William Hobbes was the first Sergeant Surgeon (Chief Military Surgeon) in our history, court physician to Edward IV and Richard III, and a rarity in that he was a university educated physician who was also a surgeon. There are also questions about how much he knew of Richard III’s hidden scoliosis, as well as Hobbes’ scandalous personal life! Discover his intriguing life and times in this talk. Hosted by the Leicestershire Branch.

THE KING’S WORK: THE DEFENCE OF THE NORTH YORKIST KINGS: 1471-1485 BY ANNE F SUTTON – A TALK BY MARGARET BYRNE – 12TH OCTOBER 2024

A talk given by Margaret Byrne, Secretary of the West Merseyside and Southport Group. Hosted by the North Mercia Branch.

‘MEDIEVAL KING’S TOMBS – 1307-1485’ BY CAROLINE WRIGHT – 19TH SEPTEMBER 2024

This is part II of the fascinating illustrated talk given by Caroline Wright last year. Caroline will discuss the locations of the tombs, their style and decoration and the ceremonies involved in burying kings during the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses. Hosted by the Leicestershire Branch.

HAWKS ON THE WALK –  7TH SEPTEMBER

A day out at the Falconry Centre at the Battle of Shrewsbury Exhibition site near Shrewsbury. There will be a talk on the history of Falconry, followed by a chance to fly the birds. Hosted by the North Mercia Branch.

A VOICE FOR RICHARD – 20TH JULY 2024

A talk by Yvonne Morley Chisholm.

Hosted by the North Mercia Branch.

‘LEICESTER CATHEDRAL REVEALED’ BY MATHEW MORRIS – 18TH JULY 2024

The construction of Leicester Cathedral’s new Heritage and Learning Centre has revealed a snapshot of life in Leicester over the past 2000 years. Mathew Morris will take us on an archaeological journey through time, revealing the lives of the people of St Martin’s parish and the significance for the story of Leicester.

Hosted by the Leicestershire Branch.

LOVELL & HIS COHORTS – 13TH JULY 2024

A talk by Stephen David. Hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Branch.

‘ANTHONY WOODVILLE: SOPHISTICATE OR SCHEMER’  BY DANIELLE BURTON – 20TH JUNE 2024 AT 7.00PM

This talk by Danielle Burton is based on years of research which culminated in a biography of the same name. Danielle will ponder whether Anthony Woodville, brother of Edward IV’s Queen, was as bad as some have portrayed him, or was he really a man of many talents.

Hosted by the Leicestershire Branch.

PRINCE RUPERT – 15TH JUNE 2024

A talk by Steven Luscombe. Hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Branch.

THE LADIES OF THE GARTER – 1ST JUNE 2024 AT 2.00PM. 

A talk by Dr Andrew Gray. Hosted by the North Mercia Branch.

CROWN, PARLIAMENT AND TREASON – 18TH MAY 2024 FROM 9.50AM TO 4.30PM

A Branch study day hosted by the Leicestershire Branch, Richard Smith, Chair of the Branch, will speak on ‘Faggots, Bats and Rebellion – Three Medieval Parliaments held in Leicester’. Dr Nicola Tallis will speak on ‘All the Queen’s Jewels 1445-1548’, followed by Dr Euan Roger, who will speak on ‘Treason and the Wars of the Roses’, and Dr Paul Dryburgh whose talk is entitled ‘Sealing the Deal: Royal Great Seals in the Middle Ages’.

THE FOREIGN POLICIES OF EDWARD IV AND RICHARD III – 11TH MAY 2024

An event organised by the North Mercia Branch.

A talk by Matthew Lewis, Chair of the Richard III Society.

‘WHY MAPS MATTER: DISCOVERING MEDIEVAL LEICESTER AND THE GREYFRIARS LEGACY’ BY GRAHAME APPLEBY – 18th APRIL 2024

An event organised by the Leicestershire Branch.

Explanation of how we use maps to inform our understanding of a place and why the scheduling of Greyfriars preserves more than the original burial place of Richard III.

THE SECOND DR JOHN ASHDOWN-HILL MEMORIAL LECTURE AN AFTERNOON WITH PHILIPPA LANGLEY – THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER, SOLVING HISTORY’S GREATEST COLD CASE – 6th APRIL 2024

An event organised by the North Mercia Branch.

Honoured guest: Matthew Lewis, Chair of Richard III Society.

Also via Zoom: Annette Carson and Dr David and Wendy Johnson – the remaining members of the Looking For Richard Project.

Dr John Ashdown Hill was the academic who discovered the mtDNA of King Richard III, resulting in the search, and discovery, of the mortal remains of the King in the Social Services car park in Leicester in 2012 – the site of the former Greyfriars Friary. Without John’s ground-breaking DNA research, the search for Richard III would never have begun or the King discovered, so we hold this day in memory of a very special man.

‘THE BLACK PRINCE’ BY DAVE ELLIOTT – 6TH APRIL 2024

A presentation arranged by the Devon & Cornwall Branch.

‘BROWNE’S HOSPITAL, STAMFORD: DOMUS DEI’ BY ANABEL MORRIS – 21ST MARCH 2024

A talk arranged by the Leicestershire Branch. The hospital was founded in 1475 by wool merchant William Browne and licensed as an almshouse in 1485 by Richard III. It is still an almshouse today. This talk is about its lifespan of over 500 years.

THE LAST WHITE ROSE BY JUSTIN SOPER – SATURDAY 9TH MARCH 2024

A talk arranged by the North Mercia Branch.

KATHERINE SWYNFORD BY VICKY HORWOOD – SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2024

An in-person talk arranged by the Adelaide, South Australia Branch.

WORCESTERSHIRE BRANCH – ‘BATTLE OF TOWTON BY CHRIS BERENDT – 13TH JANUARY 2024

PHILIPPA LANGLEY’S PRESENTATION ON THE MISSING PRINCES PROJECT – 2ND DECEMBER 2023

This exciting event is being hosted by the Yorkshire Branch with the support of the Society and will take place at 2.00pm in the Tempest Anderson Hall at the Yorkshire Museum in York on Saturday 2nd December. Entry is by ticket only and 168 tickets have already been sold so make sure you have yours! Tickets are £5 for Branch/Group or Society members and £10 for non-members. Society Member Annette Carson has helped Philippa edit her forthcoming book and promises that we will not be disappointed. Philippa herself said at the Society AGM, ‘I will be able to tell you everything’ at this event!

‘IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS – A LIGHT-HEARTED LOOK AT CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS’ BY MIKE BRITTON – SATURDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2023

Meal followed by talk arranged by the Gloucester and Bristol Branch. Attendees are invited to bring a seasonal buffet contribution.

‘THE WINCHESTER GEESE’ BY LESLEY THOMAS – 18TH NOVEMBER 2023

An in-person talk by the Notts & Derbys Group. From 12th to 17th century the Bishops of Winchester owned houses in Southwark, London which housed the local prostitutes and ladies of the night!

‘MEDIEVAL KING’S TOMBS’ BY CAROLINE WRIGHT – 16TH NOVEMBER 2023

An in-person talk by the Leicestershire Branch, concerning the locations of tombs, their style and decoration and burial ceremonies.

‘RICHARD III AND THE MEDIA’ BY MARION MOULTON – 11TH NOVEMBER 2023

An in-person talk by the North Mercia Branch.

‘UNCROWNED – ROYAL HEIRS WHO DIDN’T TAKE THE THRONE’ BY ASHLEY MANTLE – 11TH NOVEMBER 2023

An in-person talk by the Worcestershire Branch.

Miscellaneous

NORFOLK BRANCH STUDY DAY: A MILITARY MISCELLANY   SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 2026 

The Norfolk Branch in association with the East Anglian Region of the Battlefields Trust (Norfolk Region) presentED a series of military themed lectures, including ‘A Family at War: What the Paston letters tell us about the experience of war and battle during the Wars of the Roses’ by Dr David Grummitt, and ‘The impact of Major-General Sir Philip Skippon and Lord Jacob Astley on the outcome of the battle of Naseby’ by Mark Linnell, chair of the Naseby Battlefield Project. In the afternoon, Kevin Winter, chair of the T E Lawrence Society, will talk on ‘The many facets of T E Lawrence’ and Major Tom Mouat of the Defence Academy, Shrivenham, will talk on ‘A Tank called Elvis’.

CHRISTMAS DINNER – A MEAL AT TASTE RESTAURANT, 9TH DECEMBER 2025

A three course meal and coffee is booked for 7.00pm at Taste, Leicester College, Freemen’s Park Campus, Aylestone Road, Leicester LE2 7LW. Run by the Leicestershire Branch.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH, 6TH DECEMBER 2025

The North Mercia Branch Christmas lunch at the Crown Hotel, Nantwich. Run by the North Mercia Branch.

‘PIVA’ – 11TH OCTOBER 2025

A lecture and performance by members of the Medieval/Renaissance Group ‘PIVA’. They will demonstrate the making of certain instruments of the Medieval and Renaissance period and then perform on the instruments. Organised by the North Mercia Branch.

WEEKEND IN YORKSHIRE – A NORTH MERCIA BRANCH WEEKEND TRIP – 1ST-3RD AUGUST 2025

We will stay near Sheriff Hutton Castle. We hope to have a Medieval Banquet in the Sounding Room at the Castle on the Friday night. Saturday: Visits to Ampleforth Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey and Helmsley Castle. Sunday: A Metal Detecting Day at Sheriff Hutton Castle. Return home either Sunday night or Monday. This will be your decision depending on what time you can spare away from home.

LUDLOW – A NORTH MERCIA BRANCH DAY TRIP – 19TH JULY 2025

Guided tour of the Church and also the Castle. A Member of the Mortimer History Society will guide us round the magnificent Parish Church of St Leonard’s in Ludlow. The rest of the day still to be arranged.

‘GUESS WHO CAME TO THE GUILDHALL’ – A GUIDED TOUR OF LEICESTER GUILDHALL – THURSDAY 17TH JULY 2025 

A guided tour of Leicester Guildhall, looking at its visitors through time. The guides are even now busy researching the 15th century. N.B. The tour begins at 6.00pm. This will be followed by a meal at Bistrot Pierre, 10 Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN, for those who are interested. Organised by the Leicestershire Branch.

THE RICHARD III MIDDLEHAM FESTIVAL

ST MARY & ST ALKELDA, MIDDLEHAM, AND THE KEY CENTRE, MIDDLEHAM – 5TH-6TH JULY 2025

Speakers: Philippa Langley, Yvonne Morley-Chisholm, Annie Garthwaite

Philippa Langley will be talking about the latest evidence from The Missing Princes Project, Yvonne Morley-Chisholm, voice coach, on the ‘A Voice for Richard’ project, and novelist Annie Garthwaite will be talking about ‘Richard’s Women’.

There will be stalls and re-enactors in the grounds of the castle.

LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH STUDY DAY, DEATH, BURIAL AND REINTERMENT – SATURDAY 31st MAY 2025 

‘The Face of Death in Medieval England’ by Dr Miriam Gill – By the later Middle Ages, the personification of death was developed and public. This striking imagery was widely depicted and the confrontation between death and royalty was dramatised as the most vivid reminder of its levelling reality. Through a survey of the types of display, this presentation will explore the complex question of how these images were used and interpreted.

‘Forsooth here woll we lye’: Reinterring a deposed king, pitfalls and potential by Dr Euan Roger – In 1483 Henry VI’s body was reinterred at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, after his death at the Tower of London and subsequent burial at Chertsey Abbey. The decision, undertaken during Richard III’s reign, would subsequently provoke a furious debate over the deposed king’s final resting place: Westminster, Windsor or Chertsey? This talk will explore the narratives behind the decisions made; the potential which could come from the reinterment of a divisive king; and the political contexts in which events unfolded it. It will also reference previous attempts to reinter a deposed king under Henry IV and more recent debates surrounding the reinterment of Richard III.

‘Herbs and Plants, Protection in the Medieval Period’ by Elaine Perkins aka The Cunning Woman, Agnes Peterkin –In the Medieval Period, if the church couldn’t help, you turned to the local cunning woman for the answers. From ancient spells, such as the Nine Herb charm and mandrake root Agnes Peterkin, has the knowledge to help. Whatever your problem, she has the answer, using natural items, roots, plants, herbs and trees.

‘England Now Pours Tears’: the death and funeral of Arthur, Prince of Wales by Dr Sean Cunningham – Prince Arthur had been trained from birth to be king of England. His life on the Welsh Marches at Ludlow created an ideal environment for him to learn how to lead people and manage his lands. Arthur’s sudden death aged fifteen in April 1502, however, threw the Tudor regime into turmoil, and Henry VII had to rebuild plans for the future of his family’s grip on power. Managing the implications of Arthur’s death began in step with urgent preparations for elaborate funeral and memorial ceremonies at Ludlow and Worcester. This talk explores Arthur’s final weeks of life, his fatal illness, and the complex details of his funeral procession and interment service at Worcester Priory.

NORFOLK BRANCH STUDY DAY – NORFOLK HEROES, SATURDAY 15TH MARCH 2025

Speakers: David Austin, Dr Rob Knee, Professor Anne Curry, Dr John Alban, Professor Andrew Lambert

The East Anglian Region of the Battlefields Trust (Norfolk Region) in association with the Norfolk Branch of the Richard III Society presents a day of talks on ‘The Early Howard Dukes of Norfolk: Bosworth and Flodden’ by David Austin, ‘The Siege of Caister Castle 1469’ by Dr Rob Knee: ‘Thomas Erpingham and the Battle of Agincourt’ by Professor Anne Curry, ‘The Battle of North Walsham of 1381’ presented by Dr Rob Knee and Dr John Alban and ‘Searching for the sublime: Horatio Nelson, the Battle of the Nile and British Culture’, by Professor Andrew Lambert.

NORFOLK BRANCH STUDY DAY – THE MEN WHO WOULD BE KING: HEIRS APPARENT, 9TH NOVEMBER 2024

Speakers: Dr Michael Jones, Matt Lewis, Dr Charlie Rozier, Dr James Barnaby, Dr Sean Cunningham.

With talks on ‘The White Ship’ by Dr Charlie Rozier, from the University of East Anglia, ‘The Young King’ by Dr James Barnaby, of the University of Southampton, ‘The Black Prince’ by Dr Michael Jones, ‘The Lost Kings of the Wars of the Roses’ by Matt Lewis, and on ‘Prince Arthur’ by Dr Sean Cunningham.

AUSTRALASIAN CONVENTION – 20TH SEPTEMBER 2024 

To help commemorate the Centenary of the Richard III Society, the NSW Branch is holding an Australasian Conference event in September.

If you love Medieval, Plantagenet, and Ricardian history then you must not miss this wonderfully entertaining and informative conference. A great chance to catch up with like-minded friends.

RICARDIAN SONGS – 14TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Ricardian songs sung by Ian and Elaine Churchward. Hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Branch.

BOSWORTH MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL – 17TH-18TH JULY 2024

The Society will be at this year’s event with a special hospitality tent for members, along with the usual Society stand in the Ambion Gateway.

TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL – 13TH-14TH JULY 2024

There will be Society and Branch stalls at the annual Tewkesbury event, billed as Europe’s largest free medieval fair with re-enactors, stands and displays and – of course, portrayals of the Wars of the Roses battle on the site where it actually took place on in 1471.

CENTENARY EVENT – 6TH JULY 2024

Hosted by the Canadian Branch. Members and guests are invited to attend a luncheon at historic Montgomery’s Inn in Toronto starting at noon. A catered lunch including salmon, chicken and 4 kinds of salad followed by a very special cake will be served.

Our speaker for the day will be Daniele Cybulskie, and her topic is ‘Reflecting Richard: Mirrors for a Prince’. The talk will explore the type of chivalric treatises and mirrors for princes that Richard would have grown up with and which would have influenced his perspective on kingship.

WREATH LAYING – 6TH JULY 2024

A wreath laying at the King’s tomb. Hosted by the Leicestershire Branch.

MIDDLEHAM FESTIVAL – 6TH-7TH JULY 2024

Join us at the annual Middleham Festival! The Society will join in the celebrations at the Castle, as well as hosting talks at the Church of St Mary and St Alkelda on Saturday 6th July.

Entry to the talks is free, but donations to the Church are much appreciated.

The talks are:

11.00am – Richard the Northern King by Graham Mitchell BA (Secretary of the Yorkshire Branch of the Richard III Society)

1.00pm – The Princes in the Tower: Solving History’s Greatest Cold Case by Philippa Langley MBE

2.00pm – John Evans – The Missing Princes and the Coldridge Connection by John Dike (lead investigator TMPP Coldridge)

3.00pm – Questions and book signing

RICHARD III SOCIETY CENTENARY TEA – WITH THE PATRON, 16TH MAY 2024, WAX CHANDLERS’ HALL, GRESHAM STREET, LONDON EC2V 7AD

GUEST OF HONOUR: HRH THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER KG, GCVO

Beginning with a drinks reception in the Court Room, where the Royal Charter granted by Richard III in 1484 is displayed along with with the Coat of Arms by Clarenceaux King-of-Arms in 1485, afternoon tea will then be served in the Great Hall.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR KING RICHARD III – 11TH MAY 2024

An event organised by the Devon & Cornwall Branch.

A memorial service for King Richard III followed by a presentation on the history of the Society and a picture presentation of our Branch.

NORFOLK BRANCH STUDY DAY – WHERE THEY FOUGHT: THE FINAL CHAPTER. 9TH MARCH 2024

The Norfolk Branch, in association with the East Anglian Region of the Battlefields Trust, hosts speakers including Dr James Barnaby who will be talking on the Battle of Losecoat Field in 1470 and the Battles of Hedgeley Moor and Hexham in 1464, and Kevin Winter, who will talk about the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487.

YORKSHIRE BRANCH – THE BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD COMMEMORATION – 30TH DECEMBER 2023

The traditional commemoration of the deaths of Richard, Duke of York and Edmund, Earl of Rutland will take place on Saturday 30th December at 2.00pm at the Duke of York’s Pillar on Manygates Lane, Wakefield and afterwards at The Chantry Chapel on Wakefield Old Bridge.

NORFOLK BRANCH STUDY DAY – ‘ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH…’ – 11TH NOVEMBER 2023

A study day is being held by the Norfolk Branch and is open to members and non-members. The talks include:

An English Knight and his Horse – the development of the medieval warhorse from earliest times to a certain charge in 1485  by Nigel Amos.

The Glory Days of the Longbow by Will Sherman.

Steel and Celluloid: reconstructing the real Richard III by Dr Tobias Capwell.

Henry V, Agincourt, and the Psychology of Leadership by Dr Michael Jones.

SGM – 20TH MAY 2023 (VIA ZOOM)

A Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Richard III Society Ltd has been called by the Board to discuss the proposal from the floor of the 2022 AGM: that adult subscriptions should be raised by £3 a year from October 2023.

DR PHIL STONE MEMORIAL SERVICE – 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022

A memorial service for the late Society Chairman, Dr Philip Stone, will be held on 30th September 2022 at St Mary de Castro Church, Castle Street, Leicester. For anyone unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed from St Mary de Castro.

Following the memorial service, refreshments will be served in the Charnwood & Tudor rooms of the Mercure Grand Hotel, 71-73 Granby Street, Leicester. The estimated walking time between St Mary de Castro and the Mercure Grand Hotel is 12 minutes.