Saturday 21 September 2013

Piteously Slain

“King Richard, late mercifully reigning over us was piteously slain and murdered to the great heaviness of this city.” York 1485.

When I was a child, I remember standing with my mum in the Bloody Tower (originally known as the Garden Tower) while she told me about the wicked uncle murdering his little nephews. Yeah, yeah, I thought, but I want to see the block! In those days you could go right up to it. I remember examining the cut marks in it, searching for blood stains. It was without doubt the highlight of my visit.

But the wicked uncle? Well that’s what happens when the victors rewrite history. Heck, Henry VII even changed the date he took the throne to predate the Battle of Bosworth so that he could have Richard III’s supporters executed for treason. He later had Richard’s 24 year old nephew, Edward Plantagenet, (son of George, Duke of Clarence) executed having kept him prisoner in the Tower from the age of 10.

And in later years Henry VIII, had George’s daughter executed. You have probably heard of the 67 year old Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, who was dragged struggling to the block and had to be held down. It took ten or eleven chops by the inexperienced executioner before the deed was done. But I digress…

So what did Richard III do? Plenty in his lifetime. But in his short time as King?

Among other things, he made major reforms to the legal system which we still use today. Bail. Innocent until proven guilty. A jury of people only of good character. And fair dos for all – that is money, power and privilege brought you no advantage if you’d committed a crime and justice would be done. He was the first king to make his coronation oath in English.

Of his personal life, much is speculation, but I believe that he loved his wife and was faithful to her. I don’t believe that he had his nephews murdered nor do I believe that he was planning to marry his niece Elizabeth of York.

Now there is controversy over where his remains should be buried. Westminster Abbey with his wife Anne would have been the obvious choice I would have thought, but as I understand it, there’s no room and they’re not quite sure exactly where Anne is.

Leicester has the right to bury him because they found him and it was all part of the agreement when they began the excavation – in a car park!

In my own personal opinion, I think he should go to York where he was held in high regard and affection. His heart was in the north and it certainly appears from his association with York Minster that he planned to be buried there. His son was invested Prince of Wales in York Minster and was buried at Sheriff Hutton.

After the disrespectful way his remains were treated in Leicester prior to his burial and then lost, forgotten and built over – it just doesn’t seem fitting that he should be left there.

There are even e-petitions doing the rounds. You might want to sign one depending on your point of view. You may not care either way.

For York you have one which runs out on the 24th September - sign for York here!

And for Leicester there is this one which runs out on the 12th October (ironically created by a man called Shakespeare!).

My final word is that if we can afford a lavish funeral for Margaret Thatcher, then surely a proper ceremonial funeral for the last and much maligned King of England to die in battle should be possible – wherever it takes place.

What do you think?



41 comments:

  1. Buried in York. Definitely. I fell in love with Richard when I read We Speak No Treason by Rosemary Hawley Jarman. A fantastic book. You must read it, Teresa but get your tissues ready. You'll cry.

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  2. Thanks, Lynne. That's one of several on my Amazon wish list - I'll definitely get it now you've recommended it x

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  3. Can't say it bothers me where he's buried. I was interested when they found him and I think it's good they've used the discovery to learn more and it would seem wrong to bung him back in the car park and tarmac over him, but the location of where he's buried next seems unimportant.

    Spending money on a lavish funeral for anyone seems a waste to me - especially so when there's no one left who knew the deceased.

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  4. Makes our royals look rather tame!

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  5. I would like to put in a word for Leicester! For one thing (selfishly, I admit) it's not far from me and I could go and visit. Plus, while York is a lovely city, it has loads of visitor attractions already and Leicester could do with the boost!

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    1. That's one of the arguments I've heard about the boost for Leicester, but they could have a memorial and they still have the dig story! Leicester would be closer for me too x

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  6. As my blood ties are to Yorkshire... He must be buried were he wanted to be. We bring our fallen soldiers back to their home so we must make sure all those who fall in battle are put to rest where they wanted to be unless it is unknown. As we know where he wanted to be so we should carry our his wishes. I agree with Patsy we shouldn't go overboard but he should have a respectful service as he was one of our kings.

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    1. My feelings too. I don't think a funeral on Mrs T's scale is needed, but I do think he should have a fitting send off after the way history has treated him x

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  7. I'd say Leicester Teresa, because if he's lain there that long, surely, it's where he's intended to be. If York thought so much about him, then why didn't they claim his remains at the time. I wouldn't sign a petition though, only my thoughts. Enjoyed reading your 'Call of home' story on my computer kindle. Lovely.xx

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    1. Susan my understand was he died in battle and was buried where he fell over time he was forgotten so no one knew where he was until he was uncovered.

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    2. It's very interesting to hear your views, Susan - and thank you for your lovely comment about the story :-) x

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    3. He wasn't buried where he fell, Paula. His body was stripped naked, then further injuries were inflicted after death. They slung him over a horse and took him into Leicester where his body was left on display for three days before they finally let the Franciscan Friars bury him :-( x

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    4. Gosh, what nasty times he lived in. It makes you wonder if they took him back to Leicester out of spite because they know he wanted to be buried in Yorkshire.

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  8. Hello, I have lived in Leicestershire all my life, and can honestly say Leicester has always supported and loved King Richard III, naming schools, streets, pubs etc after him. Also having commemorative plaques, statues and historical tours of places directly associated with him.

    I was very surprised to learn his bones weren't going to be reinterred in Westminster, but then delighted Leicester was going to be his final resting place. I feel it fitting, after all the hard work put in by the dig team, not to mention the money spent on the project by the University. The science has been fascinating, the way the bones were proved to be the remains of the King.

    My worry is that this new situation is going to turn into a circus, with thousands of people having DNA tests to prove they are related, the legal bill for the case sky rocketing, and it all dragging on for an age.

    I feel sad, Leicester has had a distinct buzz about it since the discovery, everyone is really excited, and yes, I'll admit it has been good for the city too, this argument has taken the shine off it, and I fear there will be no winners in the end.

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    1. It is very interesting and heartening to know that Leicester supported him, Maria. And also to hear the view of someone from there.

      It has certainly aroused strong feelings and sadly as you say, there isn't going to be a solution that suits everyone, but hopefully when the decision is made, whichever way it goes, everyone will get behind it and support it x

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  9. I agree with Patsy, but from the information presented here and from what I know myself, I would say York should be the final burial site.

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    1. Thanks, Colette - I hope you are feeling okay x

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    2. I feel great thanks Teresa and despite my one word answer I do believe very strongly that Richard should be buried in York. Its what he wanted. You have to grant a man that wish whether he be beggar or king.. I have a bit of a soft spot for Richard because I think he was mis-understood.

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    3. You look great too, Colette :-) The more I read about Richard, the more I like him and I already liked him a great deal anyway :-) x

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  11. Definitely York, and not only for all the historic association, which you point out, Teresa, but because his present day family is campaigning for Richard's final resting place to be York Minster. Surely that must mean something? I can't see that he had many connections with Leicester, certainly not any he would want to celebrate.
    Excellent thought provoking post, Teresa. Thank you. Rx

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    1. Very true, Rena, the family's wishes should be taken into consideration x

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  12. I'm with you, Teresa. York is the correct choice.

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  13. Great to read your overview, Teresa - I've always had a soft spot for Richard. As to burial - I've no strong opinion but from what you've said, York seems more appropriate. I won't go as far as voting, though!

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    1. The argument does seem weighed in York's favour doesn't it, Rosemary x

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  14. What an interesting post, Teresa. Like Rosemary, I don't have a strong opinion - but I do think York seems more appropriate. XX

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    1. Thanks, Mandy. It is something I've come to feel quite strongly about, but what will be will be :-) x

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  15. A lovely and really interesting post, Teresa. I think York is the more appropriate place to lay him finally to rest in peace. xx

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  16. Thank you for the petition links, Teresa, and the interesting post.
    I have to say wherever he's buried he will probably become part of the tourist trail...

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  17. I suppose one thing to say in Leicester's favour is that there isn't much else there for tourists, so they need him more than the other places! .

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    1. Hopefully they'll be City of Culture in 2017 which will help draw people in, Jenny. I think they could still make much of the archaeology whether they keep him or not x

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  18. I'm all for a fitting last journey for such a king but I really don't like the York v Leicester thing. (Oooh I rhymed!) So I say take him to London! Hah! But seriously - show some dignity people! Compromise - dialogue! Be diplomatic! Nuff bloodshed already! :-) Take care
    x

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    1. Diplomacy definitely needed, Kitty! I hope a happy compromise can be found x

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  19. Coming late to the discussion as usual, but just wanted to say thanks for posting this. I have no strong opinions either way about burial place but wanted to say I am so glad the discovery of his body has reopened dialogue about Richard who I have always thought very hard done by - those Tudors had a lot to answer for - not to mention their playwright Mr Shakespeare! x

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    1. Thanks, Lydia. Yes that is very true, I think more people than ever now know that he was a victim of the rewriting of history! The more I read about him, the more I admire him :-) x

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