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Richard III

(134 Posts)
merlotgran Sat 21-Mar-15 19:08:50

For history lovers there's a drama/doc on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight about the Princes in the Tower. I think we're promised a bit of a Plantagenetfest over the next few days.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-31990721

Galen Sun 22-Mar-15 20:44:02

I'd rather have heard more of the ceremony and less interviews

nightowl Sun 22-Mar-15 19:49:14

whitewave and trendygran I completely agree. I saw a bit of it this evening and was surprised by how emotional it made me feel and how sad that he will now lie forever close to the place where he died but where he had no association in life. Silly to feel that way after 500+ years maybe. I'm afraid the sight of the white roses only made me feel worse for him sad

loopylou Sun 22-Mar-15 19:13:37

I'm really enjoying the TV coverage, learning a lot more than I'd expected to.
Laurence Oliver's portrayal sends shivers down my spine....

Pittcity Sun 22-Mar-15 19:09:59

I thought the Cardinal's sermon was spot on.
A lot of this ceremony is a bit contrived though and aimed at boosting tourism no on doubt.

trendygran Sun 22-Mar-15 18:57:50

Whitewave I totally agree with you. He was Richard of YORK, not Leicester. They are really cashing in on their 'find'.
At least they've had the decency to include some white roses in Leicester Cathedral . As a native of Yorkshire now living in the Midlands (not Leicester) I shan't be watching on Thursday.

grumppa Sun 22-Mar-15 17:48:05

Exactly where she is. He lost the battle; he had no heirs; Henry VII married a York (and the monarchs are no longer buried in Westminster Abbey anyway).

whitewave Sun 22-Mar-15 17:40:07

Wouldn't that sort of legitimize his claim? Where would that leave Her Maj?

grumppa Sun 22-Mar-15 17:32:04

He should have been reburied near his wife. Unfortunately nobody is quite sure where in Westminster Abbey she is.

granjura Sun 22-Mar-15 17:10:51

Watching now. Very exciting, with John Snow.

rosequartz Sun 22-Mar-15 16:05:04

I think you're right, whitewave but he doesn't have much say in the matter unfortunately hmm
Perhaps if they plant a few white rose bushes around Leicester he may like it better.

whitewave Sun 22-Mar-15 15:25:05

Richard of York gives a clue grin plus I think that I would rather be buried with where I was associated and remembered and not where I met my violent death and the way my body arrived in Leicester to be followed by a hurried burial.

granjura Sun 22-Mar-15 15:05:20

Well to be fair ... lol ;) but York has go too many tourists anyhow ;)

hildajenniJ Sun 22-Mar-15 15:05:08

His bones have rested in Leicester for 500 years. I think that it is completely appropriate that he remains there. He was buried by the Monks of Grey Friars in the most honoured position in the Church. Leicester Cathedral is a fitting place for his remains to rest.

J52 Sun 22-Mar-15 15:04:02

Is there a suggestion that Leicester Cathedral is less worthy than York Minster? x

whitewave Sun 22-Mar-15 15:01:14

Although I don't suppose he would have understood the arguments i.e. tourist income comes above the Lord's Anointed.

whitewave Sun 22-Mar-15 14:59:03

Yes!

granjura Sun 22-Mar-15 14:54:49

That door has already bolted, no ? ;)

whitewave Sun 22-Mar-15 14:38:28

I think that he should have been buried in York Minster. I am sure if asked he would not have chosen Leicester.

merlotgran Sun 22-Mar-15 12:16:47

Anything that generates extra income via tourism is OK by me and I wish Leicester all the best with this opportunity.

I didn't think the programme was very enlightening either.

rosequartz Sun 22-Mar-15 11:21:54

Thankyou, granjura for the info.
I must confess that I fell asleep for half of the programme and the bits I did see didn't sem to enlighten me any further!

Surely more historical tours = more tourists = more facilities needed = more money spent = more jobs = fewer food banks.

Money spent on food banks = short term fix.

PS DN volunteers in a food bank and tells me they are very well supplied by generous donations.

granjura Sun 22-Mar-15 11:20:43

When the huge shopping centre was built behind the High Street- all the facades of the old Victorian houses were kept- in order to somehow compensates for the horrors of the 60s/70s- and it works really well.

Shopping in Leics is so much better than in Nottigham for instance, which is split on 2 separate sites quite a distance away.

The Old Medieval Guildhall, next to the Cathedral, is small but wonderful.

kittylester Sun 22-Mar-15 09:53:26

Surprisingly, I agree with Teetime, granjura and J52. grin

We live about 12 miles away, too, and recently spent the day doing touristy things and really appreciated all that our city had to offer. I would add that the area around the Castle gardens is fabulous, the scenery in the county is glorious, the curries are rated world class and we have the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India.

I dislike the self-serving elected Mayor but he has made a good job of promoting and enhancing the area around the Cathedral.

So, come and visit Leicestershire!

J52 Sun 22-Mar-15 09:39:56

I agree, Leicester is often missed out in favour of other cities.it has many redeeming features and history, as outlined by Granjura.

It suffered in the 60s/70s because many of the beautiful buildings were demolished to make a ring road. Fortunately, the unsightly inner city office blocks are being replaced by attractive buildings and open spaces.

It is a harmonious city, with two Universities, the National Space Centre and of course has a fantastic Rugby team, The Leicester Tigers! X

granjura Sun 22-Mar-15 09:33:50

So, according to the documentary last night, Buckingham looks like he could be the culprit!

granjura Sun 22-Mar-15 09:33:03

Yes, what Teetime said- Leicester has been the poor sister as compared to Nottingham from the point of view of tourism, etc so it is time it receives more and better attention. The town centre is very nice, great restaurants, cafés, shops, covered Market, and a magnificent shopping mall, with a great John Lewis, Debenhams, Apple store and so much more.

I am definitely rooting for 'my' Leicester and can't wait to visit.