"Ricahrd III Funeral" Topic

One of my co-workers and I (here in US) are having a relaxing time watching and talking about the funeral rites of Richard III at Leicester. We wonder whether any of the authorities realized how much of an impact this would make. We understand that the cathedral is having to stay open late to accommodate the "viewers" and that the university, cathedral, and police are providing educational talks and biscuits and tea to the well-ordered crowds. Also heard that there were 35,000+ on Sunday along the cortege route out to and back from the battlefield. Thursday will probably be even more crowded.

Thanks for a "good show," cousins!

Jim

Darn this not being able to edit titles – I meant to spell his name Richard but my fingers don't cooperate sometimes. Maybe "Dear Editor" or assistants will correct it.

Jim

It is a temporary internment.

It is a temporary internment.

???

I understand there was a heated argument between officials whether Richard should be buried at Leicester or York, and York lost.

I am slightly surprised that there isn't more of a, well, state funeral for this, something along the lines of the reburials of the last Romanovs in Russia not long ago. Perhaps this would have happened if King Richard had a better historical reputation and literary legacy.

I understand there was a heated argument between officials whether Richard should be buried at Leicester or York, and York lost.

Neither. He should have been buried in Westminster Abbey, alongside his wife.

I am slightly surprised that there isn't more of a, well, state funeral for this,

Funeral procession from the battle site to the Cathedral.
Bier pulled by Army cadets
Three days "lying in state"
Full funeral service at the Cathedral.

… sounds like a state funeral to me.

At the moment, (Former) King Richard is lying 'En Repose' in the cathedral, prior to his final burial on Thursday.

I rather think Richard would have been rather amused by the kerfuffle that has surrounded his funeral! – and rather pleased that he still has a band of loyal retainers!

Glad people are interested … good its going overseas …

Richard is, quite properly, being reburied in Leicester cathedral, the city in which his remains have lain for 500 years. It would have been an excruciating mangling of history had he been carted off to one or other end of the kingdom.

OK, you could make a reasonable case for his birthplace and family resting place, Fotheringhay, just down the road in Northamptonshire – but Leicester is where he raised his flag, Leicester is where he was buried after his defeat – and Leicester is where an appropriate reburial is going to take place.

There have been a few academic and historical eyebrows raised at some of the faux ceremonial that has been invented for the occasion … but given all the competing agendas, I think most of it has been respectful and appropriate.

As a medieval enthusiast and heritage volunteer in the East Midlands, I am, of course, delighted by the way it has given the ordinary folk in these parts a chance to re-engage with their history and am pleased so many of them have taken the story and the occasion to their hearts.

As a champion for the threatened battlefield at Northampton, I hope that we can find suitable ways to keep the interest in the Wars of the Roses going (as the people caring about their history – especially local people – is the surest way we can protect our heritage from short-term selfish development and the vandalism that goes with it) …

Phil

Another point is that Richard died before Henry VIII broke with Rome and it could be argued that Richard should have been buried in accordance with the faith which he would have followed, i.e. Roman Catholicism.

And he will be as I understand the re-interment on Thursday will be a joint Roman Catholic and Anglican service. I have been both astonished and pleased that so many people have felt encouraged to take part in this event (for lack of a better word).

Jim

I would recommend that anyone interested, look up the BBC History Magazine podcasts, there are a couple featuring Richard III's reinternment. One interview is with the head of the Richard III society, another is with the woman who discovered the 'handbook' for reinternment written in 1475. I heartily recommend BBC History Magazine podcasts, something for everyone. Also recommend their Waterloo episode.

"It is a temporary internment"

So was his first one. :)

As I understand it, Leicester was chosen as the Richard III Society who started the search needed the permission of the council, university help and also had to have a detailed reburial order before the dig began. Various deals being struck insisted on this city in the (unlikely) event he was actually found.

Well, not 'Various deals being struck insisted on this city' … Leicester University did the dig and had to have a licence for it (it is a legal requirement before any disturbance of human remains) …

Phil

Hmmm…..

And this licence HAD to name Leicester ?

As the last King of England to die in battle, I can't help feeling it would have been more appropriate to bury him – under a suitable memorial stone/statue – near where he fell, which would have had the merit of avoiding unseemly squabbles over which town should benefit from tourist money &c.

Arthur,

Now we have rediscovered the site where he probably fell, I agree it would have been a good idea to take him back to lie with those who fought and died to maintain him as king, and those who fought and died to depose him. Very fitting.

Mollinary

"…Dickon thy master is bought and sold." Again….

I know this sounds picky but nobody was 'interNed' or 'reinterNed'.
He was interred -ie buried, not incarcerated without trial