Ricardian Bulletin Contents Autumn 2006 2 From the Chairman 4 Society News and Notices 10 Media Retrospective 12 News and Reviews 16 Celebrating 50 Years: Reception and Prize-Giving at Barnard’s Inn by Howard Choppin 21 Ricardian Heroes: Patrick Bacon by John Saunders 26 The Age of Richard III: Memories from the NPG Exhibition 1973 by John Saunders 32 Memories from Scotland by David Fiddimore and Philippa Langley 34 The Society’s Earliest Members 37 Are we there yet? Or a Medieval Pilgrimage by Lynda Pidgeon 41 Notes from Fotheringhay by Phil Stone 42 Scurrilous Songs for Ruthless Ricardians by Helen Astle 43 The Man Himself by Gwen Waters 48 The Debate: Who murdered the Princes? 50 Was Norfolk a Traitor? by David Johnson 52 Logge Notes and Queries by Lesley Boatwright 55 Only if it May Stand with the Law of the Church by Marie Barnfield 58 Lord Olivier – a ‘closet Ricardian’? by Geoffrey Wheeler 61 Correspondence 67 The Barton Library 68 Letter from the Continent 70 Future Society Events 72 Branch and Group Contacts 74 Branches and Groups 81 New Members 81 Recently Deceased Members 82 Obituaries 84 Calendar Contributions Contributions are welcomed from all members. All contributions should be sent to the Technical Editor, Lynda Pidgeon. Bulletin Press Dates 15 January for Spring issue; 15 April for Summer issue; 15 July for Autumn issue; 15 October for Winter issue. Articles should be sent well in advance. Bulletin & Ricardian Back Numbers Back issues of the The Ricardian and The Bulletin are available from Judith Ridley. If you are interested in obtaining any back numbers, please contact Mrs Ridley to establish whether she holds the issue(s) in which you are interested. For contact details see back inside cover of the Bulletin The Ricardian Bulletin is produced by the Bulletin Editorial Committee, General Editor Elizabeth Nokes, and printed by St Edmundsbury Press. © Richard III Society, 2006 1 From the Chairman n my piece in the last Bulletin, I expressed the hope that those of us north of the equator I would have a good summer, and depending upon your point of view, this has certainly been the case so far and I’m happy to report that the heat and humidity haven’t stopped the Bulletin team and other contributors putting together another great anniversary edition. Continuing our celebratory theme, there are articles on our first chairman, Patrick Bacon; the never-to-be forgot- ten 1973 NPG exhibition, which had such a positive impact on the Society; more memories from long-standing members and the Scottish Branch; as well as a fascinating article on Lord Olivier by Geoffrey Wheeler. Historical features include the thought-provoking suggestion that John Howard may not have been as loyal as we all thought; and the final part of Marie Barnfield’s important article on the marriage of King Richard and Queen Anne. Many of you will have read Michael Hicks’ controversial article on the dispensation required for that marriage which appeared in the June issue of the BBC History magazine. We were quick to react - see page 12 for details of our response. This has also had the advantage of enabling us to start a dialogue with that magazine, and in the longer term this may provide opportunities for publishing more positive views of Richard III. The Bulletin Team is aware that having a number of different people to whom to send contri- butions can be confusing and so it has been decided to have just one, the technical editor, Lynda Pidgeon. Please see the notice on page 8 which gives more information about this change. Few Ricardians would disagree with the statement that ‘history matters’ and the Society has signed up to help the National Trust and English Heritage, together with other bodies, promote the ‘History Matters’ campaign. See page 13 for details. It is always sad when a member dies, in the last issue we introduced a ‘recently deceased members list’. This is in addition to the full obituaries that have long been a feature. This time around, I am particularly saddened to record the deaths of two well known and very popular Ri- cardians: Pat Ruffle and Don Fleming. They will both be very much missed by us all. The next Australasian Convention takes place in Wellington, New Zealand, in April, 2007. The branches down-under do a marvellous job in organising their events and when one considers the distances involved, they really do deserve our admiration. If any Ricardians are going to be in New Zealand next April, show the Australasians your support and sign up for the convention. Whether you can make Wellington or not, I do urge as many as possible to come to the AGM and weekend of anniversary events in York at the end of September. We want this to be an occa- sion that is both enjoyable and interesting for members, as well as being one that provides lots of opportunities for members to get together, and also for myself and others of the Executive Com- mittee to meet, listen to and exchange views with you all. The message is simple: be there! After all, you don’t want to be saying afterwards, ‘I wish I’d been in York in 2006.’ Thank you and see you there. Where? In York, of course. Phil Stone 2 York … the Place to be 29 September – 1 October 2006 and be a part of the Richard III Society’s history for the next fifty years 3 Society News and Notices The Richard III Society’s Members’ Weekend Friday 29 Saturday – Sunday 1 October 2006 in The City of York This year, as members will probably be in no doubt, is a special year and our usual members’ day has been extended to an entire weekend in order to celebrate the fifty years of the refounding of the Society. A full pro- gramme has been put together and the Committee look forward to welcoming members to Richard’s favourite city. Friday 29 September 2006 Lecture at the Hospitium Professor Tony Pollard’s lecture on his ‘journey’ with Richard III will take place in the four- teenth century Hospitium in Museum Gardens in York. Ricardian Get-Together at Barley Hall Refreshments will be available prior to the lecture and afterwards members are invited to visit Barley Hall for a candlelit get-together in the Great Hall, home to fifteenth-century York Mayor, William Snawsell. There will be a pay bar for wine, bottled ales and soft drinks. Saturday 30 September 2006 Notice is hereby given that the 2006 Annual General Meeting of the Richard III Society will be held on Saturday 30 September 2006, in the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, York The meeting will begin at 12.00 noon. The formal business of the meeting will include re- ports from the officers, the presentation of the Annual Accounts of the Society to 31 March 2006, and the election of the Committee for the next 12 months. Nominations for the Committee should reach the Secretary, Miss E.M. Nokes, at 4, Oakley Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 5NN not later than 14 September. All nominations must be proposed, seconded and accepted in writing by the member proposed. Resolutions for the Agenda, proposed and seconded, should also reach the Secretary by 14 September. 4 The Annual General Meeting The AGM will be held in a new venue, the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in the centre of the city of York. In addition to the formal proceedings, the day will include the usual attractions of a ‘members’ day’. Because much of the material formerly reported by officers at the AGM has been included in the Society’s Annual Report (included in this issue of the Bulletin – please do read it, and bring it with you on 30 September) officers’ reports will need only to bring matters up to date, and the focus of the meeting can be on the future and on members’ issues. A great deal has been written about the past but the Society now needs to look forward to the next fifty years and the annual general meeting on Saturday 30 September is an opportunity for members to make their feelings known. There will be an open forum to answer your questions, and respond to your issues. These can be raised verbally, or can be written down prior to the meeting and there will be a supply of post-it notes and a board so queries can be anonymous, but if they cannot be answered on the day, you may be asked to supply name/address, so that an of- ficer/member of the executive committee or another committee can respond to you. Programme for the Day 11.00 Opening of Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, refreshments, opportunity to visits stalls. 12.00 – 13.00 AGM 13.00 – 14.00 Lunch 14.00 – 17.00 Workshops on palaeography, Latin, costume, and music will each be held twice during the afternoon. Opportunity to visit stalls and network with mem- bers. 15.30 & 16.00 Optional tour of the Minster 17.00 Conclusion of Members’ Day 19.00 for 19.30 Gala Dinner at Merchant Adventurers’ Hall Tickets for the AGM Please do not forget to order your ticket(s) for the AGM. The venue has a limited capacity as explained in the Summer Bulletin (p. 11). A booking form is available in the centre fold section. Refreshments and Lunch at the AGM Refreshments on arrival and a light buffet lunch to follow the AGM have been arranged and a combined booking form is available in the centre fold section.