Ricardian Bulletin Is Produced by the Bulletin Editorial Committee, General Editor Elizabeth Nokes and Printed by St Edmundsbury Press

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Bulletin Autumn 2005 Contents 2 From the Chairman 3 Golden Anniversary Celebratory Events 5 Society News and Notices 10 Media Retrospective 14 News and Reviews 20 The Holbein Code or Jack Leslau and Sir Thomas More by Phil Stone 23 The Man Himself 25 What’s In A Year by Doug Weekes 27 Logge Notes and Queries: To My Wife, Her Own Clothes by L. Wynne-Davies 29 The Woodvilles by Christine Weightman 32 Rich and Hard By Name by Ken Hillier 34 The Debates 35 Paul Murray Kendall and the Richard III Society by John Saunders 37 Correspondence 43 The Barton Library 49 Booklist 51 Book Review 52 Letter from America 54 The 2005 Australian Richard III Society Conference 56 Report on Society Events 65 Future Society Events 66 Branches and Groups 71 New Members 72 Calendar

Contributions Contributions are welcomed from all members. Articles and correspondence regarding the Bulletin Debate should be sent to Peter Hammond and all other contributions to Elizabeth Nokes. 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, 2005 1

From the Chairman

Nowadays, the increase of historical knowledge requires more than just the study of documents and engaging in archaeology. Today, there is the prospect of using DNA to unlock secrets of the past and Ricardian studies are not exempt from this. In Media Retrospective, you can read about the work done by John Ashdown-Hill in identifying a living descendant of the House of York, traced in an all-female line from one of Richard’s sisters. In May, a press release was issued, generating a number of enquiries and keeping John rather busy. All this has opened up some exciting possibilities as DNA sequencing may help to identify which of the remains found in Mech- elen are really those of Margaret of York, and, perhaps, may also help in identifying the Leicester bones said to be those of King Richard. We shallwatch developments very closely and keep you updated through the pages of the Bulletin. Good progress is being made in organising events for our fiftieth anniversary celebrations next year and in this issue we introduce our anniversary logo, designed by Geoffrey Wheeler. One of the highlights of the celebrations will be the 2006 AGM in York. Some branches are already planning to make a weekend of it and I would encourage others to do the same. Another event that is going ahead well is our schools competition. Prizes are being offered for schools and individual students for the best piece of written work in the 15-18 age group and the best poster design for the 11-16 age group relating to Richard III. Again, we are indebted to John Ashdown - Hill whose idea it was and who, together with Dave Perry, has done all the work to make it a reality. This year, the Annual Report comes as an insert inside your Bulletin, rather than as a separate document. This is partly a cost-saving measure but it also makes the report, which is an easy-to- use reference covering our achievements and plans, more concise. The format and content of our reports is always under review and I would welcome any comments members may have. As members will see, we are advertising for a new treasurer. This follows the retirement of Bill Featherstone, who has been a much valued member of the Executive Committee. Recently, Bill has steered us through some choppy financial waters and, to continue the metaphor, now has us on an even keel. I urge anyone interested in the post to contact me. In this issue, we remember Joyce Melhuish on the tenth anniversary of her death. Many will have their own memories, especially those who were regulars on the trips she organised. Running the visits programme was but one aspect of the prodigious amount of work she did for the Socie- ty for over forty years. She was, as I wrote my 1996 review of her Fotheringhay memorial service ‘a wonderful English Lady’. Finally, we are back in London this year for our Members’ Day and AGM, returning to the familiar venue at the former Scientific Societies, but now English Heritage, Lecture Theatre in Savile Row, after a three year gap. As I write, these are troubling times for London, but nonetheless, I feel sure that Ricardians will not be deterred from travelling to the capital for their AGM. Phil Stone

Golden Anniversary Celebratory Events

ur plans for next year’s celebrations to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the re- O founding of the Society are making good progress. We aim to have a programme that will appeal to all strands within our Society so that as many members as possible can participate in and enjoy the celebrations. In particular we want to ensure that it has meaning for both long- standing and newer members who now have the opportunity to become part of the Society’s history. The anniversary events will of course run alongside our usual range of annual activities such as Fotheringhay, the York study weekend and Bosworth Day, which in 2006 returns to Sutton Cheney and the battlefield. We are very well aware that with more events and activities on offer there will be strains on your budgets! So we have come up with an idea that may relieve some of that strain: we propose to provide full details, including costs, for all events and associated booking forms in this year’s winter Bulletin. This will enable you to book events (or parts thereof) in advance and secure your place with a small deposit. This way, you spread the costs over a longer period than would nor- mally be possible and it will enable us to have an early indication of the likely take-up of places. If an event is unlikely to be well supported we would then have the option to cancel early and thus minimise any potential loss. The highlight of the year will be the Member’s Weekend and AGM which will take place in York over the weekend of 29 September / 1 October. Having seen what a success the Americans and Australasians have made of their weekend conventions we are unashamedly borrowing some of their ideas! However, there are other attractions on offer The preliminary programme is as follows:

Members’ Day and AGM Weekend Friday 29 September 2006  A major lecture in the King’s Manor in the evening.

Saturday 30 September 2006 (we have hired the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall for the whole of day.)  The AGM will take place during the day and before and after we will have our usual range of attractions including Society sales, second-hand book sales, and a variety of Society stalls. Additionally we plan to run workshops on such themes as palaeography, Latin, music and costume. There will also be an exhibition of the entries for the Society’s Schools competition (see page x).  We are also looking at the possibility of private tours of the Minster for members.  The day will end with a banquet in the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall.

Sunday 1 October 2006  This day will be focussed on Barley Hall where we are planning activities based on the traditional St Nicholas’ Fair, held annually in the Hall early in December. Working with the management of Barley Hall, we will be inviting craftspeople to display and sell their wares, and also we plan to engage a re-enactment group to provide some ‘living history’ 3

also we plan to engage a re-enactment group to provide some ‘living history’ displays. It is hoped that we shall be able to re-create some of the authentic atmosphere of fifteenth-century l ife in this very special place. Members will have the opportunity to attend all or some of these events.

Staples’ Inn Reception There will be an evening reception in May in the hall of Staples’ Inn, London, to which we will be inviting our Patron, the Duke of Gloucester, to join members for drinks and a buffet supper. Before the reception, we hope the Duke will present the prizes for our Schools Competitions.

The Tower of London The Research Committee will be organising two one-day seminars. The first of these will be held on Saturday 25 March at the Education Centre of the Royal Armouries in the Tower of London. The day will have a military theme and there will be the opportunity for members to visit the attractions within the Tower.

Vicars’ Hall, Windsor Castle The second seminar will take place on Saturday 21 October in the Vicars’ Hall which is part of the complex of buildings surrounding St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. This will be a unique opportunity to see a building not usually open to the public. The theme of the day will focus on St George’s Chapel and the Order of the Garter. There will be time to visit the chapel and the day will end with Evensong.

We would still welcome ideas for other events so please contact the Chairman if you have any. It is anticipated that branches and groups may also want to hold their own events to celebrate the fifty years, in which case we encourage members to support these too. We will keep you all up to date with both national and local events through the pages of the Bulletin and the website. Once again we emphasise that we want the anniversary year to celebrate all that has been achieved over the past fifty years and in so doing reflect all aspects of the Society’s work and membership. The Executive Committee

The Society’s Golden Anniversary logo designed by Geoff Wheeler. The full colour version will feature on the front covers of next year’s Bulletins.

Society News and Notices

Richard III Society’s Members’Day and Annual General Meeting Saturday 1 October 2005

Notice is hereby given that the 2005 Annual General Meeting of the Richard III Society will be held on Saturday 1 October 2005 in the English Heritage Lecture Theatre

The meeting will begin at 12.00 noon and the formal business of the meeting will include reports from the officers, the presentation of the annual accounts of the Society to 31 March 2005, and the election of the Committee for the next year.

Nominations for the Committee should reach the Secretary, Miss E M Nokes, at 4, Oakley Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 5NN not later than 16th 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 16th September.

Welcome back to a familiar venue

Saturday, 1 October is a ‘Members’ Day’ of which the AGM forms a part. There will be the old favourites – a great variety of stalls – including many new ones - and there will be opportunities for members to have their say.

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 1 October) 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.

In addition there will be an open forum/question time to answer your questions, and respond to your issues. These can be raised verbally, or can be written down: there will be a supply of ‘post-it’ notes and a board. Queries can be anonymous, but if they cannot be answered on the day, you may be asked to supply name/address, so that an officer/member of executive committee/ other committee can respond to you.

The focus is on you, the members of the Society ! Please make this approach worth while by coming, and letting us have your views.

A Familiar Venue - The Members’ Day/AGM will be held in The English Heritage Lecture The- atre [formerly known as the Scientific Societies’ Lecture Theatre] 23 Savile Row, London W1S 2ET Public Transport - the nearest underground is Piccadilly Circus. Numerous buses travel up and down Regent Street. Parking - there is a NCP car park in Orange Street

Programme

11.00 Members arrive, time to visit stalls, etc. 12.00-13.00 Annual General Meeting 13.00-14.30 Lunch 14.30-15.30 Lecture – Joanna Laynesmith – ‘Cecily Neville: ‘The Right High and Excel lent Princess and Queen of Right’ 15.30 Open Forum/Question time, to be followed by tea 17.00 Conclusion of Members’ Day

Other Attractions The venue will be open from 11.00a.m. for:

The Major Craft Sale. The twenty sixth Major Craft Sale will be held around the AGM/Members’ Day. The sale will start at 11.00a.m., will run until the start of the AGM at noon and will then continue in the lunch and tea intervals. We shall have on sale: Ricardian embroidery, cakes and sweets [for home consumption only], paperweights, RCRF Christmas cards, knitted items and baby clothes, soft toys, collage ... and Ricardian and other bric-a-brac.

Sales Office Ricardian Sales Stall. With the full range of Society/Trust publications, and society artefacts

Research Officer, Webmaster and Barley Hall Co-ordinator. (Wendy Moorhen, Neil Trump and Lyinda Pidgeon) will have a stall. They will be delighted to talk to members about Ricardian research activities, the Society’s website and Barley Hall. They intend to have a presentation on research activities, demonstrate the website to those members who are not on-line, and show the latest plans and acquisitions at Barley Hall

Branches and Groups Table. The branches and groups will showcase their publications and activities

Visits Team table. This will be hosted by members of the Visits Team, and will display information on past visits, and details of future visits: suggestions for the latter will be welcomed

Membership Manager & Treasurer’s Table. The Membership Manager, and the Treasurer, Bill Featherstone, will be able to receive payment of subscriptions at Members’ Day, and will have a table for this purpose from 11.00 a.m. to noon and 13.00 – 14.30 p.m.

Refreshments. Lunch and tea will be provided by Southern Counties Catering Services, who have successfully catered for us before. Refreshments must be booked in advance – please use coupons in centre-fold in this issue.

Lunch menu: Hot fork buffet lunch: poached salmon fillet, served with Hollandaise sauce or Supreme of Chicken a la King, cooked in a cream and sherry sauce or Spinach & Ricotta cheese cannelloni [suitable for vegetarians] - all served with: braised Basmati rice and hot new potatoes, tossed salads, French bread and butter Dessert: Hot apple pie or Cream gateaux and cheesecakes – all served with cream Fruit juice and coffee/tea Cost: £12.50 per person, inclusive of VAT, service and equipment. 6

Tea menu: Tea/coffee and biscuits Cost: £1.95 per person inclusive of VAT, service and equipment

Please note: externally purchased food and drink may not be consumed in the building.

Apropos of the Craft Sale we would warmly welcome offers of items for sale. We do appeal to members to try to provide some item(s) for the sale. If you cannot do any form of craft work, please try to look out some item(s) of jumble or bric-a-brac. We would of course also warmly welcome all items of any sort of craft. If you wish to bring items along on the day, it would be most helpful if you could mark them with an indication of the price(s) at which you think they should be sold.

If you wish to give or send items to me in advance – do please contact me to check that the items are suitable. Please contact: Miss E M Nokes, 4, Oakley Street, Chelsea, London SW3 5NN. Tel. 01689-823569 [voicemail] Please note - the proceeds of the Craft Sale will be devoted to the Ricardian Churches Restora- tion Fund, as also will the proceeds of the raffle.

Annual Grand Raffle

As usual we shall be having a raffle at this year's Members’ Day, in aid of RCRF. The tickets will be 25p. each, or 5 for £1.00, and will be on sale at the meeting. The prizes include:

 Hand tinted original print of Pontefract Castle from Buck series on British Castles  M&S ‘Green Scents’ toiletries gift set  Silver plated oblong box with roses  Pottery rose trinket box  ‘Music of the Gothic era’ – two tapes

Prizes are not ranked in any order: first ticket drawn will have first choice, and so on. We thank the contributors and suppliers of prizes.

Lecture. Joanna Laynesmith: ‘Cecily Neville: ‘The Right High and Excellent Princess and Queen of Right’

Joanna has supplied the following abstract of her lecture: ‘The popular perception of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, has recently swung from that of ‘one of the most saintly laywomen of her generation’ to that of an adulteress. This lecture examines the reasons for her changed reputation and explains her central role in Yorkist politics from the collapse of Henry VI’s kingship in the 1450s until Perkin Warbeck’s rebellion in the 1490s’.

Call to Branches and Groups

If your branch/group wishes to make a report at the AGM, please let the General Secretary, know, by 16th September, so that you may be included on the AGM Agenda. Reports can be made in person by a branch/group representative, or, for overseas branches/groups, if no local representative is to be in London at the time of the AGM, in printed form, to be read at the AGM. Reports should not exceed 3 minutes, and should consist of new material not previously reported

verbally or in print.

If you have any queries about any matters relating to Members’ Day or the AGM, please contact the Secretary – address inside back cover

Subscription Renewal 2005 - 2006

Annual subscriptions become due for renewal on 2 October, and it would save the cost of re- minders if members who do not pay by Banker's Order would send their subscription:promptly. The rates this year are:

Full Member £18.00 Families (all members of same family, living at same address) £24.00 Pensioners (Ladies and Gentlemen over 65) £13.00 Pensioner Family (same family, same address, where all pensioners) £18.00 Junior (under 18 years of age) £13.00 Student (Over 18 attending full time educational course. Committee must approve each case) £13.00 Europe/Overseas Members postage supplement £5.00

Subscriptions should be sent to the Richard III Society Membership Manager, PO Box 1133, Bedford MK43 7ZX.

Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to the RICHARD III SOCIETY. A special insert in this Bulletin is provided for those not paying by Banker's Order, and to save the Mem- bership Department time, will members paying other than £15.00, please give a brief note of ex- planation.

Discounted Entry Scheme

In the March 2005 Bulletin I published details of our developing discounted entry scheme to places of interest for Richard III Society members. I am keen to expand this scheme, but I need help. Is there anyone out there who would be willing to become involved in the organisation of this scheme ? The work would involve selecting possible places of interest and negotiating with them by letter. Anyone can do this, from any part of the country – or from any part of the world, because please note that this scheme does not have to be confined to the U.K. There are plenty of places of potential interest to Ricardians on the European mainland. What about Aachen Ca- thedral Treasury in Germany ? What about La Batalha Abbey in Portugal ? Nor are New World Ricardians excluded. There are collections in the United States and Australia which hold artefacts of Ricardian interest. The Discounted Entry Scheme is potentially for everyone, and anyone can help with it, either on an on-going basis, or as a one-off (by suggesting and then perhaps contacting one particular place that you know of to which you would like us to seek discounted entry.) Please contact me with any suggestions or offers of help. John Ashdown-Hill

The Research Community

The new Research Community is now up and running, the first newsletter, The Ricardian Re- searcher, has been circulated to around forty members and a specially dedicated forum has been

set up on Yahoo for discussions and Q&A. However, I would like to see more members join us and increase our critical mass - the wider the community, the wider the breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm. I know that there are many more of you out there who are interested in research or took part in the Wills Project or who have attended study weekends and triennial conferences. The Community is there for all who have an interest in research, whether you are working on a project at the moment or it is just an ambition for the future, and regardless of experience. We already have beginners, those who are moderate- ly experienced and a few seasoned researchers. Location should not be a deterrent to joining and I would certainly welcome overseas members. If you would like to know more, the proposal was published in the Spring 2005 Bulletin and there is an application form in that issue's centre-fold pages, or please feel free to e-mail or write to me. I look forward to hearing from you. Wendy Moorhen

Palaeography Course - Overseas Members

Following the recent increases in postage costs in the UK I have reviewed the overseas postage supplement for sending out the lessons for the palaeography course. With immediate effect I will need to increase the supplement for all new enrolments and those existing members signing up for part two of the course. The supplement is now as follows: Europe - no change to existing £5 charge USA & Canada - increased to £6 Australasia - increased to £8 Research Officer NEW TREASURER NEEDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY A vacancy has arisen for the post of treasurer on the Society’s Executive Com- mittee following the resignation of Bill Featherstone after many years of invaluable service. We are looking for a new treasurer who can help us manage and enhance the Society’s financial resources. The emphasis will be on the managerial side of the post, with the option to outsource the more routine book-keeping aspects. Much work has been carried out in recent years to re-structure the Society’s finances and we are seeking someone with the following key skills and attrib- utes to continue this work: * Experience of accountancy or financial management in either a professional or voluntary capacity; * Ability to attend Executive Committee meetings in central London; * Commitment to work with the Executive Committee to further improve the Society’s financial position. If you are interested please contact the Chairman, Phil Stone (see inside cover for address), for an initial discussion and further details. 9

Media Retrospective

Richard III’s DNA – media coverage From Geoffrey Wheeler Following on from the item which appeared New Statesman 13 June 2005 ‘competition’ in the Summer edition of the Bulletin under ‘so .. Macbeth may be about to be rehabilitat- Society News and Notices, John Ashdown- ed. You were asked to imagine spin-doctors’ Hill’s press release on his DNA project has campaigns to rehabilitate other characters been well received and has generated some ‘unfairly’ maligned by the Bard – Richard III, interesting coverage. for example. .. Most of you sent in Richard The Leicester Mercury headlined their III .. Adrian Fry sent: ‘Richard III was a mar- article ‘Now Who’s the Winner of our King’s tyr to back pain and the medieval catholic Descent’ – their tack was that the DNA from shibboleth that the ‘badness’ of a back pro- a living relative could resolve claims that ceeded from the soul. Richard channelled his Richard’s bones were found in the River own pain into its infliction on others, his mur- Soar. Professor Mark Jobling of Leicester derous activities furnishing us with vivid in- University genetics department said, howev- sights into a period preceding even the infan- er, ‘DNA tests would show which bones were cy of palliative medicine. With his single- not Richard’s but could not prove which minded pursuit of life goals and his pioneer- were’. ing work fashioning a disturbing body image The East Anglian Daily Times and the into an instrument of terror, Richard must Evening Gazette also carried the story under now be recognised as a politically engaged the banners of ‘Mystery of King’s Bones Lies activist passionately fighting for the right of In DNA’ and ‘Regal Poser to be Answered ?’ the disabled person (albeit himself) to reach respectively. the absolute pinnacle of the English socio- Practical Family History headed their political hierarchy. Even modern disability piece ‘Quest for English Princess’, and con- rights campaigners inclined to balk at infanti- centrated on the story of finding a living decide now acknowledge that Richard was scendant of Richard’s sister in Canada. Other breaking new ground, positively discriminat- publications in the family history arena re- ing in his own favour, demanding that his porting much the same story included, Your people examine their automatic preference for Family Tree under the heading ‘Richard III’s able-bodied, legitimate, yet ignorant princes Missing Sister Rediscovered’, and Family over an experienced, if differently spined, History Monthly with ‘Descendant could king’. reveal Royal Resting place’. And an entry from However it was in Your Family that M E Ault John’s story really registered with a three- ‘Richard would have enhanced the 21st centu- page case study under the heading ‘The ry boardroom. He was the son of Richard of Bones of Margaret of York’. In being fairly York, who, you will recall, gave battle in lengthy this case study allows John to give a vain. No wonder Richard – soon to be placed blow-by-blow account of his methology in third – intuitively grasped the principles of searching for a living descendant as well as modern business practice. He understood the giving much of the background information. importance of setting goals – for example: 1) The case study contains numerous illustra- be king; 2) keep being king. He realised also tions including a family tree. For those inter- the need to plan how to overcome obstacles. ested in reading more on this project the Sep- He set his goals, made his plans, and then saw tember issue of Your Family would be a good – especially in the obstacles department – that starting place. they were speedily executed. He may have Richard Van Allen been spinally challenged, but his ability to take executive decisions – and see what or 10

whoever executed – would be valued, as The Times, Saturday Magazine ‘Beefeaters’ would his ability to keep things in proportion 9 July 2005: ‘Yeoman Warder Terry Hum- with outside interests. His love of horses is phries .. relates his own ghost story: how at well known: he said he would give his king- dead of night he once heard two young chil- dom for just one of them’. dren playing noisily on the south lawn, only to discover later that this was the favourite playground of Edward V and his younger New York Times theatre review Richard and brother Richard Duke of York – the two Anne, Maxwell Anderson, 4 June 2005, Ar- ‘princes in the Tower’’. clight Theatre, Manhattan, by Neil Genzlinger: ‘That idiot Shakespeare had it Opera, May 2005, John McCann – Belgium all wrong. There was no treachery. No mur- – Antwerp – ‘Giorgio Battistelli commis- der. No hump. That, at least, appears to sioned by Vlaamse Opera, with librettist- have been Maxwell Anderson’s take on dramaturge Ian Barton, to write a full scale ‘Richard III’ revealed now, 46 years after dramma per musica .. closely based on Anderson’s death, in a rollicking bit of revi- Shakespeare’s Richard III. The work .. has sionism attributed to him called Richard and been reduced to about a third of its length Anne. Any time an unknown work by a dead and to 21 separate characters .. in place of playwright finds its way to the stage, chances the original 45 .. A major attraction of the are it will be little more than an academic play is of course the way Richard is able to curiosity, but not so here: the production, by laugh at his own wickedness and share this Mirror Repertory’s Young Mirror training aspect of his character with the audience, an company, is an energetic surprise. How effect not easily achievable without the spo- much performance-enhancement has been ken word. .. the one time the audience really injected into Anderson’s script is impossible laughed had little to do with either play or to tell (‘We have made alterations to the opera. Richard, having hood-winked the original text for the purpose of clarifying and citizens into acclaiming him as king, called strengthening the thrust of the story’ the pro- down the first act curtain, lit a cigarette, gram says) .. yet .. questions of provenance ‘noticed’ the audience and winked. .. The [are] pushed aside by the intriguing story and playing area was covered in bloodstained the lively way it is rendered by the youthful sand, which was whisked in the air by hand cast; several of the performances are worth or shovel to reflect yet another killing. But it filing in the I-saw-them-back-when folder. was difficult to distinguish one character The play opens with the opening of a play: a from another, dressed as they all were in theater company is staging Richard III. But black. The lighting .. deserves mention, not as the hunchbacked title character begins his least for the sudden blaze of fairground illu- famous ‘winter of our discontent’ speech, mination along the rows of seats as Richard odd things start to happen, and soon they are was crowned. .. Scott Hendricks gave a par- traced to Dag, a jester who has materialized ticularly remarkable performance in the title from the great beyond. For years he has role .. and he took in his stride [the produc- listened in as his master, Richard, was slan- er’s] interesting idea that Richard’s deformi- dered, but, as he tells the astonished theater ty was assumed for public consumption and troupe, ‘that septic drip grew less bearable was not his natural condition.’ with the centuries’, and now he has come back to life to set things straight. Soon he Daily Mail, 23 June 2005 ‘52 years on narra- persuades the real Richard to materialize as tive of a past that wasn’t PC will be repub- well, and they tell a far different version of lished’ referred to the re-issue of Our Island the story than Shakespeare did. At its heart Story, by H[enrietta] E[lizabeth] Marshall. is the romance between Richard and Lady The Mail showcased ‘The story of a warrior Anne, which is closer to Romeo and Juliet queen (Boadicea)’ and ‘Richard III – Two than to Shakespeare’s rendition.’ Little Princes in the Tower’ ‘That night the

little princes went to sleep with their arms From Kerstin Fletcher round each other’s necks, each trying to com- ‘first a literary reference to Richard III (and a fort the other. They lay together in a great big very benevolent one) that may have escaped bed, happy in their dreams, with tears still wet most people, as for some reason Chesterton is upon their cheeks. As they slept two men rarely read these days, if it is not Father crept softly, softly up the dark stair. Quietly Brown. Secondly, a very surprising parallel they opened the door and stole into the room. from the classical world. My ‘other’ history They stood beside the bed, hardly daring to interest is Imperial Rome, and I came across look at the two pretty children in case the the short biography of the little known emper- sight might soften even their hard hearts, and or Carinus, which intrigued me more and they would be unable to do the cruel deed. more, especially considering the dates of his Then they seized the clothes and pillows and reign, which makes it all particularly uncanny pressed them over the faces of the little boys. when I delved deeper, it became almost a case They could not scream, they could not of déjà vu.’ breathe. Soon they lay still, smothered in From: G K Chesterton The Flying Inn, Chap- their sleep’. ter XI: Vegetarianism in the Drawing-room: First published in 1905, and last reprinted in ‘Misysra Ammon knew, what next to none of 1953 it fell out of favour, but Civitas is plan- the English present knew, that Richard III ning to republish it to teach children the chro- was called a ‘boar’; by an eighteenth-century nology of history. However this has pro- poet and a ‘hog’ by a fifteenth-century poet. voked resistance: the Honorary Secretary of What he did not know was the habit of sport the Historical Association referred to the and of heraldry. he did not know (what Joan book as ‘a piece of its time’ knew instantly, though she had never thought of it before in her life) that beasts courageous Editor: from Daily Telegraph 6 May: and hard to kill are noble beasts, by the law of ‘Britain’s Real Monarch, Discovery, 9.00 chivalry. Therefore the boar was a noble p.m. It could be argued that, not being the beast; and a common crest for great captains. legitimate son of Henry VI, Edward IV taint- Misysra tried to show that Richard had only ed the Royal line. This Tony Robinson docu- been called a pig after he was cold pork at mentary, first shown on Channel 4 ...’. Bosworth’. Carinus (Roman Emperor, 283-285) ‘Carinus From J C Knights succeed to the throne after his brother (the Flashman on the March – George Macdonald Emperor Numerian) died rather young and Fraser, published April 2005, note 2 to page 3 unexpectedly. Numerian had been regarded (although this is a work of fiction, the notes as soft; Carinus is said to have resembled are always factual). One of the characters, their father (the Emperor Carus) more and to who has a major problem, talks of being ‘in have been closer to him, as well as being the Dickie’s Meadow’. The note reads: better soldier. He appeared to succeed to ‘’Dickey’, meaning shaky or uncertain, has a general acclaim, but soon discontented fac- currency centuries old, but ‘in Dickie’s Mead- tions of his army proclaimed another candi- ow’, meaning in serious trouble is, or was, a date (Diocletian) who had no birth right to the North Cumbrian expression, and it has been throne. Diocletian gathered his supporters at suggested that, since Richard III was in his the other end of the Empire, safely out of younger days Warden of the West March with reach, until he could openly wage battle his headquarters in Carlisle, where he is com- against the rightful Emperor. Carinus was memorated in one of the city’s principal eventually forced to move against Diocletian, streets, Rickergate, the proverbial ‘meadow’ and he was on the verge of winning the battle, may be Bosworth Field’. having the advantage. But he was slain in a [Editor: comment from Cumbria Group wel- surprise attack. It is said he was betrayed and come !] murdered by one of his own trusted men. He

was later popularly reviled as one of the worst The article went on to state, ‘Much of Emperors ever – a cruel tyrant, murdered, what happens in the play is either complete rapist and sadist – almost entirely due to the fabrication or the subject of historical specu- long lasting propaganda issued by the victor. lation’, and also, ‘Sulayman al-Bassam, the Diocletian had a number of historians in his Anglo-Kuwaiti director, is convinced that the pay who wrote up Carinus in the blackest of play is an ideal vehicle for an exploration of terms, to make his own accession appear jus- Saddam’s brutal reign of terror. He is, howev- tifiable and acceptable. Thus, to this day, er, considering a drastic reworking of the plot. history books are published in which Carinus “The RSC have given me a significant is described as one of the biggest monsters amount of freedom about how I might ap- among the Roman Emperors.’ proach the play”, he said’. Come 2007, we shall see! From Patsy Conway P T Stone Practical Family History, August 2005, includes ‘Quest for English Princess’ citing From Wendy Moorhen John Ashdown-Hill’s work in conjunction Former member Stacey Roesch of the USA with Mechelen, to identify Margaret of kindly sent me a copy of an article entitled York’s remains. [Cutting in Society cuttings ‘Family Drama’ published in U.S. News & files] World Report on 18 April following the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Par- Richard III recast as Saddam Hussein ker-Bowles. The article, written by the writer and novelist Michael Korda, had the sub-title In an interview over the phone with Christo- of ‘The British Royals may have weathered pher Hastings from the Sunday Telegraph, I centuries of scandal, but their dynasty keeps was asked what the Society felt about the rolling along’. Mr. Korda presumed to en- proposed new RSC production of Shake- lighten the American public about the nature speare’s play with Richard likened to Saddam of the British monarchy and included a couple Hussein. What appeared the following Sun- of references to Richard. ‘The country that day (17 July) more or less expressed my sen- could cheer at the coronation of Richard III, timents, if not the words that I actually used: who came to the throne having murdered the ‘We have our work cut out for us as it is, captive King Henry VI, and his son the Prince without going to this extreme. Although we of Wales, as well as Richard’s own brother do not agree with Shakespeare’s portrayal of Clarence and his two nephews …’. and later, the king, we do try to give each individual when writing of Henry VI ‘when a simple production the benefit of the doubt. The prob- man inherits the throne as an infant [and] is lem with this idea is that Saddam Hussein is undermined by his stronger, cleverer rela- very much alive and people have very definite tives, a process that eventually leads to the ideas about him. I don't think even Shake- fratricidal Wars of the Roses and to the evil, speare is going that far. Shakespeare’s Rich- murderous, hunchback, Richard III’s taking ard was a nasty piece of work but he was also the throne.’ Sadly Mr. Korda, who is credited a lot of fun. A lot of women fall for him in the as serving in the British armed forces, seems play. I don’t think there are many people who unable to get past Shakespeare when referring have fallen head over heels in love with Sad- to the fifteenth century. dam’.

News and Reviews

Tewkesbury For several years, Tewkesbury Battlefield Society has been pursuing the idea of a sculpture on the site where the Yorkist army first saw the Lancastrians. A winning design has been developed – a timber framed sculpture for a timber framed town

The Tewkesbury Battlefield Society now has to raise the capital to pay for its creation and erec- tion. It has launched an appeal under the name of ‘The 1471 Fraternity’. If you are interested in learning more about the appeal please contact: Amanda Thomas on 01242-680382 or make a donation direct to the Treasurer: Old Tolsey Cottage, 4, Tolsey Lane, Tewkesbury, GL20 5AE. Cheques should be made payable to: ‘Tewkesbury Battlefield Society, sculpture account’. Thanks to Doug Weeks for alerting the Society about this project. Phil Stone

From the Fotheringhay Diary The fifth annual organ concert will be on Saturday, 17 September, at 7.30 pm. It will be given by Timothy Byram-Wingfield, Director of Music at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Tickets, £10 (concessions £9 and under 16’s £2), are available from Oundle TIC (01832 274333) or from Juli- et Wilson, The Blacksmith’s Cottage, Fotheringhay, PE8 5HZ The AGM of the Friends will be at 2.30 pm on Saturday, 5 November, in the Village Hall. It will be followed by a talk on the last years of Mary, Queen of Scots, entitled ‘The thing most she thirsteth after is victory’. It will be given by Canon Jack Higham. Entrance is free to members, and £3 to others. Tea will be served.

Fotheringhay Discover - 17th-century map Further to Juliet Wilson's article in the last issue of the Bulletin, below is Geoff Wheeler's drawing based on a detail of the Rockingham Forest map (National Archives MR1/314), which includes Fotheringhay and its surroundings.

Pentecostal ‘bells and smells’ at Fotheringhay ‘Summoned by bells’ as Betjeman might have said, on Sunday, 15 May, a good sized congregation gathered in Fotheringhay Church to celebrate the Feast of Tongues at Pentecost in a form that would have been little different to that known to the men and women of the middle ages. The use of the Sarum rite and the singing of Christopher Tye’s ‘Western Wind’ mass would have been familiar, and though the lessons, the Creed and the homily were in English, the service was otherwise entirely in Latin, complete with ‘bells and smells’ - and it worked, too. The service was both joyous and moving. The choir that sang the mass and other anthems included at least one member of the Soci- ety and I was amazed to learn from him that they had come together so recently. The quality of their singing was a major contribution to the joyful nature of the occasion. The celebrant was the Venerable David Painter, Archdeacon of Oakham, and he was as- sisted by Canons Paul Rose and Michael Covington, the former incumbent and an old friend of the Society. The retiring collection went to the Nene Valley Churches Organ Project, which is helping four more local parishes to gain pipe organs for their churches and their communities. The service was followed by lunch in the village hall, and this was another of Alan Stew- 15

art’s great spreads, once again made all the more pleasurable by good company and conversation. Before leaving the village, I went back into the church, which as many know is a favourite haunt of mine. The incense was still heavy in the air, causing a slight haze in the sunlight that streamed in through those huge windows. The sights and the scents were still intoxicating as I set off back to Kent. I do not usually drive over 200 miles in order to go to church on a Sunday, but this was one of those times when it had been well worth it. If this event is repeated next year, I heartily recommend it. Phil Stone

Richard III As part of the year-long festival devoted to every word of Shakespeare, the RSC will show at the Swan Theatre in March 2007 ‘the Baghdad Richard III’: Anglo-Kuwaiti director Sulayman Al- Bassam will work on a ‘Richard III’ based on Saddam Hussein’s route to power. The director said: ‘Richard III is one of Shakespeare’s most compelling characters. I am interested in the way he portrays tyranny and the way he aestheticises evil. The way in which Saddam launched his coup to take over in 1978 was similar to the way Richard tries to pretend his brother George is behind the insurgency – spreading rumours and propaganda in order to get his rivals eliminat- ed.’ Also from the RSC: The Henry VI trilogy, directed by Michael Boyd, at the Courtyard Thea- tre (a temporary theatre while the main RSC theatre is closed for refurbishment) from July 2006, with Richard III in January 2007 at the Courtyard Theatre. Booking information: booking opens for RSC members from 1 August for the period April- October 2006. Public booking opens on 5 September. For second period: mid October 2006 – April 2007, booking opens to members February 2006 and to the public in March 2006. Call the RSC hotline on 0870-609-1110 or go to www.rsccompleteworks.co.uk.

The Battle of Stoke The Society has recently been approached by an archaeologist working for Nottinghamshire County Council. The Council is currently in the process of developing an interpretation of the battlefield given that at the moment there is no on-site presentation of the final pitched battle of the Wars of the Roses (and the only battlefield in the county). The Society has expressed its will- ingness to be involved and if anybody has done any research into the battle site perhaps they could let me know. Wendy Moorhen

‘Francis Viscount Lovel: Family, Friends and Foes’ Medieval Week-End The Richard III Foundation, in conjunction with the Minster Lovell Heritage Centre is running the above event, 8-9 October. The weekend begins with a conference on 8 October, at St Kenelm’s Hall, Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell, from 09.30 [registration] to 17.00. Tickets for the event are £20.00 for patron; £25.00 for guests, including tea/coffee and biscuits. Conference tickets and further information available from: Mrs Mary Kelly, 77, Deacons Green, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8BN, 01822-618036, email: [email protected]. For further information on a medieval Banquet in the evening and Families Day 9 October please contact Graham Kew, 130 Burford Road, Minster Lovell, Oxon, OX29 0RB, Tel. 01993- 775262.

Princes in the Tower

We have two reviews of the Channel 4 TV programme screened on 12 May, Princes in the Tower. First a personal view from Anne Ayres followed by a review by Ann Wroe, the author of Perkin.

From Anne Ayres: So how was it for you? The event of the TV year or a damp squib? You had to know the story really to want to stay with it; I can see how those unfamiliar with the mystery may have found it too long or slow. All those Edwards, Richards and Henrys have long confused the uninitiated British public. Well, like the curate’s egg I found it ‘good in parts.’ It did not try to immerse us totally in the fifteenth-century by using faux-medieval music – lutes and the like. Instead there was a haunting eight-note piano progression, echoed by later by violins, rising and falling repetitively like a mystery movie soundtrack, out of historical context, but it added atmosphere and underlined the pace. Mark Umbers as Richard (or was he Perkin?) - well, what can I say? I’m in love again! Ut- terly beautiful, yet manly, he was totally convincing as he said with natural kingship and authority, ‘I am Richard Duke of York, ...I am your king ...when this is over you will kneel before Rich- ard IV and you will beg for mercy’. There was an arrogance and a touch of humour too as earlier he listed his titles and asked the scribe (Thomas More!) in the corner ‘Do you want me to repeat any of that’? What chutzpah! The interrogator Dr Argentine, the fine actor John Castle, held the piece together with threat and menace yet as if he still had enough humanity to be convinced at times by Richard/Perkin and might he not change sides if he truly believed? I did like the Bishop of Cambrai, a huge, larded, wheezing pile of velvet with a philosophical acceptance of his own failings, his little nods of approval at a telling sentence and his distaste of the Spanish Ambassador’s pulling apart of the disdained English cooking. But the play was marred by two monumental pieces of miscasting. Firstly Henry Tudor – here comes that curate again – was nothing more than a rather worried and somewhat inept not-quite- vicar with mother trouble. Where was the sparse red hair, the wily fox-like instinct for self- preservation ? He just looked wrong with his lank black greasy hair and his full petulant mouth, though perhaps quite well-written as I almost found myself half liking him and feeling sorry for him with that mother ! And the eternal need to find motivation in even the deepest villains led to the anachronistic, feminist tirade by a far too young Margaret Beaufort (who should have been about 57) ‘I was RAPED by your father when I was twelve, my body ripped apart by childbirth at thirteen leaving me barren!’ It sank into the ridiculous when she led Richard/Perkin down into the depths of the Tower to display two hairy, gibbering semi-humans – ‘They love me!’ Pure Grand Guignol, Hammer House of Horror. Was this supposed to be a major new theory? It didn’t prove the poor wrecks of humanity were the Princes. Yet despite it all, I liked it. I found the scenes (again unproven historically) between Richard and Elizabeth to be very poignant. She was portrayed as calm, queenly and proud, yet as if she had long repressed the passionate Yorkist side of her nature, a sense of a woman hemmed-in and who has had to adapt to her circumstances (with a mother-in-law like that who wouldn’t!) And in that final horrific scene of his beautiful face destroyed, bleeding and battered before his hanging, almost Christ-like in his suffering, he was not even accorded the nobleman's ‘privilege’ of the axe and I found I had tears rolling down my cheeks. So it was a play that did not make up its mind for us, left questions for us to decide, but none the worse for that. Yes it was flawed, enigmatic, maybe a little manipulative, but ultimately deep-

ly moving – not unlike Richard/Perkin himself. Perhaps an appropriate and not unworthy tribute ?

From Ann Wroe: Medieval subjects are so rarely dramatised on television that, when they are, it is worth raising a cheer. When, like this one, they are grippingly directed, terrifically acted and lovingly shot, another cheer is in order. When they are accurate history ... but there the cheers stop, because accurate history and TV drama find it impossible to live together. I became involved in ‘Princes’ when it was still a gleam in the director’s eye. It began life as a documentary about the career of ‘Perkin Warbeck’, interwoven with the story of the Princes in the Tower. But pretty soon – the story being so irresistible – it became a straight drama, and the academic talking heads were put back in the box. At that point my connection with the programme ended, although I kept popping up like a pain, trying to be helpful. Both the producer and the director (the very good Justin Hardy, who also directed much of the ‘Georgian Under- world’ series on the BBC) were keen to work from original records of the Pretender’s interrogations; but there are no such records, and I suspect there were very few interrogations either. Lack- ing material, they naturally brought in a writer to make it up. Should that writer have been a historian? No, if you want the drama to be any good, and to pull in the viewers. (Give or take a gratuitous ‘F’-word, and a bizarre reference to a ‘hairdresser’, I thought the script was fine, taut and lean.) Besides, with all the controversies surrounding this particular story, no one historian could possibly give a picture that all would accept as accurate. Anyone touching the Princes or the Pretender moves at once into deep speculation, try as they may. Moreover, once a programme is a drama, it inhabits a realm where the history is not only secondary, but can seriously get in the way. History, for example, tells us that the Tower of London at that time was a palace with nicely appointed state apartments; drama demands it should be a miserable dungeon, so it is. History tells us that kings and queens do not visit people in prison; drama demands that they do, because they need to interact with the other characters. ‘Princes’ gave us confrontations – the Pretender with John Argentine, with Margaret Beaufort, with Elizabeth of York – that probably never happened, and conversations that certainly never did. The drama-lover – like the reader of historical novels – settles down and enjoys it all, but the historian cannot help wondering: is there any way of doing this that does not involve fiction ? The answer, of course, is ‘no’. The events on which ‘Princes’ was based, for example, actually happened in reverse order. In October 1497 the Pretender agreed to be ‘Perkin Warbeck’ (whether or not he was), in line with the confession Henry’s lawyers had prepared for him. In effect, Henry said ‘Sign here’, and the Pretender signed. When they had first met, there had been a private meeting between them; what was said then may indeed have borne a slight resemblance to the drama, but we shall never know, as even Bernard André shrank from inventing what they might have said to each other. Then, in the summer of 1498, after an escape from custody, the Pretender was beaten into proper submission. There may indeed have been some sort of confrontation then; but ‘Perkin’ had long since surrendered, even if, in his own mind, he was still the prince. Drama demanded, of course, that there should be no such swift capitulation. Instead, ‘Perkin’ hit Henry’s questioners for six all around the room. It made great viewing, of course; and it was actually less far-fetched than the action in John Ford’s excellent ‘Perkin Warbeck’ of 1634, in which ‘Perkin’ never breaks into a sweat, let alone confesses. But it was fantasy, all the same. It was also January, not July, because that was when the film had to be shot. Some of these dramatic liberties matter more than others. Of course, as a historian I found every little inaccuracy grating, from de Puebla’s out-of-date hat to the capture of ‘Perkin’ in the woods to the vaguely Neanderthal look of Henry and Elizabeth’s bed; but, to my mind, time and season – or costume and etiquette – matter much less than the overarching truth of the story and

the characters. Here I felt that the drama got two things notably right, one thing garbled, and one thing dreadfully wrong. First, and most important, the drama rightly stressed the Pretender’s plausibility as an authentic English prince. Henry’s own historians provide much of our evidence for this; but the image of the pathetic and easily-rumbled little Fleming has proved difficult to shake out of the history books. Mark Umbers gave us, for the first time, a Pretender of charisma and grace and perfect English – indeed, probably too good-looking and certainly too physically imposing. At the same time, he played the Pretender – correctly – as a real enigma, and a dangerous one: a man whom Henry was right to fear, since he, like us, had no way of proving conclusively that the Pretender’s claim was untrue. The drama also stressed, and cleverly simplified, the European dimension of the whole affair. The light relief of the two ambassadors (who were, indeed, in London together in July 1498) was a neat device to confirm the interest of Europe and the consternation caused by the Pretender, which certainly did not end with his surrender. It was also wonderfully realised in the performances of Nicholas Rowe as de Puebla and Roger Hammond as the Bishop of Cambrai, even if (historian’s hat on again), De Puebla should have been the short fat one, and Cambrai the tall thin one. In general, ‘Princes’ cut tidily through the diplomatic and political thickets of the time, and the idea of making the young Thomas More the narrator, even if spurious historically, was again a neat and useful way to tell the story. On the other hand the characterisation of Henry VII, played by Paul Hilton, bothered me somewhat. This Henry was just too unkingly, from his odd northern accent to his endemic restlessness and clumsiness – a sort of fifteenth-century Alan Par- tridge, in fact. As a foil to the relentlessly royal and confident Pretender, this worked fine in terms of the drama – and it is certainly true to history that Henry was afraid. But somehow, ideal- ly, the actor playing him should have combined that fear and suspicion with utter kingliness. I suppose I have in mind the excellent James Maxwell, who played Henry VII in the 1970s series ‘The Shadow of the Tower’. To pit that Henry against Mark Umbers’s Pretender would have been both terrific television, and better history. Henry made me wriggle a bit; but he too was well acted and, within the bounds of drama, I could accept him. What I could not accept was the programme’s sudden descent, about three- quarters of the way through, into sheer Gothic horror: its use of Margaret Beaufort as a villainess, and its thesis that she kept the princes (or beggars who could be substituted for the princes – I am still not quite sure) locked up in a cellar. This was so daft that, on a first viewing, it left me speechless. Once the drama began to veer in this direction, I parted company with it both intellec- tually and emotionally, and found it difficult to get back on board again. Of course, people may speculate all they like about what happened to the princes; we do not know. But pure character assassination, on not a shred of evidence, cannot be part of that. I was all the sorrier because this drama, with its talented director and tremendous cast, presented a version of the story of ‘Perkin Warbeck’ that was more involving, and in some ways more accurate, than any that had gone before. Most important, it re-opened the mystery of his identity and left it open, as I believe we must until better evidence appears. Press comment both before and after showed that, to a large degree, opinion has shifted back towards treating the Pretender as an enigma – and with that, of course, towards treating as an unsolved mystery the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower. A shift like that proves the strength of drama, and what it can do for history – despite its faults.

The Holbein Code or Jack Leslau and Sir Thomas More

PHIL STONE

doorway was actually Richard, the younger of t was Jack Leslau’s firm belief that there is the Princes in the Tower. I evidence for the survival of at least one of It has been shown that Holbein was a the sons of Edward IV to be found in the great one for the use of hidden codes within group portrait of the family of Sir Thomas his pictures - we are all familiar with the curi- More painted by Hans Holbein the Younger, ous skull in his painting of ‘The Ambassa- the master Tudor portraitist. It was something dors’ - and whilst some of these codes may to which he devoted much time, effort and seem fanciful to us today, they were very money. It was his driving passion. Indeed, to important at the time when the painting was hear Jack speak on the subject was to find made, which is thought to have been about oneself carried along on a fast flowing stream 1532, by the way. It was to decoding these of enthusiasm. He could be very persuasive at clues and following up what they revealed times. It was only afterwards, when one had that Jack devoted much of the last years of his had a chance to think about what had been life. said, that doubts crept in. Jack reckoned that there were over eighty Holbein produced at least two versions of anomalies in the picture of Sir Thomas More the finished portrait. Possibly the best known and his family. Obviously, there is room here today is that kept at Nostell Priory, in West for just a handful. For more detail, the reader Yorkshire. From left to right, the following is referred to Jack Leslau’s web site - people are depicted, their identities being www.holbeinartworks.org - and to his articles confirmed by Latin inscriptions:- Margaret in the September 1978 and March and June Clement, adopted daughter of Thomas More 1979 issues of the Society’s Bulletin. and wife of Dr John Clement; Elizabeth The young man who stands in a doorway Dauncey, second daughter of Sir Thomas behind the family is named as ‘Johanes here- More; Sir John More (More's father); Anne sius’ [sic]. He has traditionally been identified Cresacre (fiancée of John More II); Sir Thom- as John Harris, More’s secretary. However, as More; John More II (Thomas More's son); the word ‘heresies’ has not been given a capi- Henry Patterson (More's ‘Fool’), and, in front tal letter, which suggests it is not a surname. of him, Cecily Heron, More's youngest In which case, Jack felt that ‘heresies’ should daughter; Margaret Roper, More's eldest be taken to be the Latin ‘heres ius’ - the daughter; and Lady Alice (second wife of Sir ‘rightful heir’. (Actually, it means ‘heir Thomas). As well as these, there is an un- right’, which is not necessarily the same named man reading in a back room and a thing). mysterious man standing in a doorway. This ‘rightful heir’ stands higher than oth- The huge size of the painting - it is 12’ x er members of the family, meaning he was of 9’ - allows for a lot of detail to be seen, both higher status, and of higher status even than in the background and in the clothing of the the seated Thomas More. Also, above the sitters. It was from these details and from the man, is painted a series of fleurs-de-lis, a juxtaposition of certain items that Jack devel- symbol of royalty. oped his theory that the whole painting was a From the man’s position in the doorway, rebus - a picture puzzle - that could be inter- the parchment in his hand, his sword and his preted to show that the man standing in the buckler (‘a servant? wearing a sword’?) Jack

Sir Thomas More and his family by Rowland Lockey, Nostell Priory,West Yorkshire Reproduced by kind permission of the National Trust © NTPL/John Hammond

turned to the French language to draw his on the same level as the top of Johanes’ hat it next conclusions. An ‘optical illusion’ is a implies that Johanes heresius is the doctor in ‘porte-à-faux’ or ‘false door’. The man holds question. In fact, one member of More’s the parchment, or ‘il tient le parchemin’ household, John Clement, did gain his doctor- which, in courtly French, means ‘he holds the ate at the University of Siena, Italy, in March right and title of nobility’. The buckler resem- 1525 and was later appointed President of the bles a wheel. The spoke of a wheel is ‘rai’ Royal College of Physicians. and the rim is ‘jante’, giving a split- So, having concluded from the painting homophone of ‘régente’, while ‘le bouclier du that the man shown was Dr John Clement, régente’ means ‘buckler of the king’. Finally, and that he was actually Richard, Duke of in this collection, the ceiling timbers above York, Jack set out on a trail to find the body his head are out of line, and a ‘faute de lign- in the hope that he would get permission to age’, can be taken to mean a 'fault in the line- exhume it and perform DNA tests. Eventual- age'. ly, he traced the man to Mechelen in Bel- Jack made further deductions about the gium, where he had died and been buried in identity of the young - or not so young - man, the cathedral. Shortly before his own passing, whose skin, he suggested, has a ‘waxy’ quali- Jack was able to tell us that he had gained ty compared to the much more realistic facial permission from the authorities to take his skin of Henry Patterson standing next to him. studies further. The suggestion is that the artist has ‘waxed Jack drew many conclusions from the young’ ‘Johanes heresies’, making him look painting, details of which cannot be outlined much younger than he is. As Holbein has here. Not least of these was that there had done this in other paintings depicting the sit- been a Tudor cover-up and that exposing it ter as half the known real age, it was pro- was Holbein’s purpose in painting the por- posed that ‘Johanes heresies’ was shown as trait. Holbein, who had been an invited guest being half his known real age, i.e. fifty-four living in More's house, was secretly com- years old, not twenty-seven, as given in the municating this deception for posterity and picture. for those with the vision to interpret the re- Drawing attention to a flower in the back- buses. ground - there are three floral arrangements - The theory has much to offer and in the and its alignment with the hat worn by Jo- end, one would like it to be true. One has the hanes heresius, Jack drew the conclusion that feeling of ‘if only’. It will take a lot more Johanes was a doctor. Apparently, a sixteenth work on it to come to any definite conclusion, century name for a physician was ‘peony’ and but sadly for us all, sceptics and believers as the one depicted is purple, which denotes alike, Jack is no longer with us to pursue his royal, this man is a doctor and a doctor of dream. royal blood, at that. Since the flower stands Thank you, Jack, it was fun knowing you

Ancient and Medieval history books (3500BC - 1500AD)

From historical fiction to academic works. Please send SAE to : Karen Miller, Church Farm Cottage, Church Lane, Kirklington, Nr Newark, Notts., NG22 8NA.

The Man Himself

The King’s Mother: Cecily Neville and her youngest son

ne of Richard III’s most unnatural joined forces with his father-in-law, the earl O crimes, according to Tudor propaganda, of Warwick, to rebel against and imprison was his false accusation that his own mother, Edward IV. Richard was steadfastly loyal to Cecily Neville, was an adulteress. Polydore Edward in the face of slanders that the king Vergil asserted that she ‘complanyd afterward was a bastard. When Clarence and Warwick in sundry places to right many noblemen . . . rebelled again in 1470 to reinstate Henry VI, of that great injury’. More recently Michael K Richard fled with Edward to Burgundy. But Jones has suggested that Edward IV really where did Cecily stand? Before Clarence and was a bastard and that Richard’s claim to the Warwick set sail for Calais from where they throne was largely inspired by this fact, abet- launched their initial rebellion Cecily spent ted by his mother. The nature of Richard’s five days with them at Sandwich. Michael relationship with Cecily remains one of the Jones has surmised that she had fallen out many mysteries surrounding his accession to with Edward and was in favour of the rebel- the throne. lion. Yet only months earlier Edward had Of Cecily Neville’s last six children, only named his second daughter after Cecily and George and Richard survived infancy. These as soon as Edward regained his throne in boys were with her during some of the most 1471 he took his family to join his mother at traumatic years of her life, as the Lancastrian Baynard’s Castle. My suspicion is that Cecily kingship collapsed and her husband made his knew nothing of rebellion but was aware of unsuccessful bid for the throne of England. Clarence’s plan to marry Warwick’s eldest She would have supervised their early educa- daughter in defiance of the king. This sug- tion, perhaps taught them to read. gests that for all her loyalty to Edward, Cecily In the winter of 1460/61 Yorkist fortunes did not always put him entirely before her were at their lowest, with the duke of York’s other sons - she wanted George to marry Eng- death at Wakefield and the earl of Warwick’s land’s most eligible heiress. defeat at St Albans. For their safety Cecily In 1461 one observer claimed that Cecily sent the boys, aged just eleven and eight, to ‘can rule the king as she pleases’. It appears the court of the duke of Burgundy. Her deci- from surviving correspondence that her rela- sion to remain in London to defend the inter- tionship with Richard was similar. In 1474 a ests of her only other surviving son, the eight- land dispute arose between servants of Cecily een-year-old Edward, Earl of March, indi- and Richard. When Richard was first in- cates her priorities and her ambition for her formed of his servant’s claim he was prepared family. Immediately after their return to Eng- to enforce it with men at arms, until he learnt land the king’s little brothers, like their moth- that the dispute was with one of his mother’s er, probably lived within the royal household men. An exchange of letters followed in for several years. Richard may well have been which Cecily laid down the terms and place nearly thirteen before he left the regular com- of negotiation and ultimately the affair was pany of his mother for the household of the settled entirely in her man’s favour. Cecily’s earl of Warwick. letters also indicate affection for Richard, ex- The year 1469 was to prove the first real pressing regret that he had not been able to test in Cecily’s relations with her sons. This visit her recently when Edward was with her was the year that George, Duke of Clarence, at Berkhamstead (she had seen Richard only a

few weeks previously at Syon). other offences) so it was still fresh in public By the 1470s Cecily was developing a memory and doubtless debated again. Pre- greater interest in religion and she probably sumably this is where Mancini picked it up shared some of this with Richard. Notably he and why later writers thought it had been part and Anne owned a copy of Mechtild of of Richard’s claim as well as Clarence’s. Hackeborn’s mystical account of her visions, My suspicion is that Cecily did not active- the Booke of Gostlye Grace, a text which ly promote Richard’s accession, but equally Cecily also owned. They may well have did not oppose it either. She was pragmatic shared a wider interest in Carthusian spiritual- enough to recognise the risks for the House of ity. Moreover, in 1478, in the foundation stat- York and England that a child king would utes for a college of priests at Middleham, bring. Instead her youngest son was a proven Richard listed saints to whom he had a special politician and warrior, at last a third king devotion, beginning with John the Baptist. Richard and his Neville queen. The only di- Actually we have no other evidence of his in- rect evidence of contact between mother and terest in this saint, yet by the time of her death son during Richard’s reign is a letter from in 1495 John the Baptist was the saint who Richard in June 1484. The wording seems to meant most to Cecily. The prioritisation of me to imply that there was no animosity be- the Baptist in Richard’s very long list may tween them but that they did not see each oth- consequently have been inspired by his mother on a very regular basis, ‘Madam, I heartily er’s devotion. beseech you that I may often hear from you to This is about as much as we know about my comfort’, Richard wrote. If Cecily really the relationship between mother and son be- resented Richard as Vergil claimed there fore 1483. How far then did she acquiesce in would be little point in his writing such his actions that summer? His use of her Lon- words. don home, Baynard’s Castle, initially made The final enigma lies in the title Cecily me assume that she was probably party to his used in her will: ‘wife unto the right noble decision to take the throne. Yet she does not prince Richard late Duke of Yorke, fader unto appear to have attended his coronation. Surely the most cristen prince my Lord and son King if she had helped mastermind his accession Edward the iiijth’. Why no mention of her son she should have been there? Richard? Her will was a public document Certain contemporaries were under the which included requests to the king so most impression that Richard had considered likely she was avoiding any offence to Henry claiming the throne on the grounds of his Tudor. This may also explain why she left brother’s bastardy. However, the allegation of nothing to her daughter Margaret of Burgun- Cecily’s adultery does not appear in any offi- dy who had so offended King Henry. Such a cial records. Moreover, in the most contem- coldly political approach at the very end of porary description, Mancini’s, there is no her life is disappointing to the modern reader, mention of Richard accusing his mother of but Cecily’s sense of a duty of good ladyship adultery. The question of adultery does ap- to the servants now dependent upon Henry’s pear, however, in Mancini’s account of Ceci- goodwill must be considered. Ultimately we ly’s supposed horror on learning of Edward can only guess at her emotions for the most IV’s marriage. Only five years before Rich- controversial child in her turbulent brood. ard’s accession George, Duke of Clarence, Joanna Laynesmith had been attainted for that slander (among

What’s In A Year?

DOUG WEEKES

he document below, from the city ar- death they were shortly to hear of upon re- T chives, came to light at a recent study turning to ‘the castle of our care’? This was a weekend in Coventry. The following are time when personal and state matters coincid- some thoughts on the content. ed. During this period fears of a second Tu- It would appear from this document that dor invasion still would occupy the king’s King Richard is setting up or improving his mind, just as did little Edward’s health. The courier service to receive news post-haste of a similarities of renewed preparations in the potential Tudor landing. The city of Coven- spring of 1941 when a renewed attempt of a try, together doubtless with other towns and German invasion was still expected should cities, is requested to provide horses and local not be ignored. With hindsight no invasion guides for this purpose. came in either 1484 or 1941, but those on the The royal letter does not bear the year of ground at the time were not to know and had writing, so when a small Ricardian circle to take measures accordingly. originally discussed this we quite naturally As a postscript, the monastery gazetteer, thought of 1485. On looking through The quoting the Victoria County History, does say Itinerary of King Richard III, by Rhoda Ed- that ‘the history is extensive and interesting’. wards, (published by the Society in 1983) Perhaps some member may wish to pursue Richard’s whereabouts are unfortunately not that source? shown for 2 April 1485, (the date of the let- I am indebted to Mr Keith Stenner for ter) but on the 1st and 4th Richard is in the copies of the actual letter, plus importantly City of London. Turning to 1484 though, the transcript. whilst the 2nd is still blank, on Thursday 1 April he is shown at the monastery of Burton. [It is known that Edward IV instituted a From the gazetteer of my reference book system of couriers in 1482 during the Scottish (English Medieval Monasteries 1066-1340, expedition in order to get speedy information by Roy Midmer, 1979), there is fortunately to and from the north. Richard seems to have only one religious house at Burton shown. continued this or something similar but docu- This is the Benedictine abbey at Burton-upon- mentary references to it, such as this letter, Trent, within much easier riding distance are rare. Editor] from Nottingham than London. From the brief details in the gazetteer we RICHARD III LETTER AT COVENTRY learn that the abbey contained the shrine of St ARCHIVES Modwen. Seeking details of this saint in my R By the king local reference library in The Oxford Diction- Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wele ary of Saints by David Hugh Farmer, (1978) And forasmuche as we have appointed and there is no St Modwen, but there is a St Mod- ordeined c[er]tain of oure s[er]v[au]nts to lye wenna, a woman. Farmer says that her shrine in diverse places and townes betwix us and was at Burton-on-Trent and that it was the west parties of this our roy[au]me for the ‘famous for miracles’. hasty conveiaunce of Tydings and of all other Could it be that Richard and possibly things for us necessarie to have knowledge of, Anne visited St Modwenna’s shrine, perhaps we therfore wol and desire and also charge to pray for the good health of their son whose you. that if any of oure said s[er]v[a]unts

comyng by you shal nede any horses for thair gence herein As we trust you, and as we may hasty spede to or from us ye wil see them understande the redynesse and good will that shortly to be provided therof for thair redy ye have to please us. Yeven undre our signet money. And also if a fortune any of them to at oure Monasterie of Burton the secunde day travell from you by nyght that than ye will see of Avrill that they may have guydes, and they shalbe suffisauntly rewarded for their labo[r]s. And Published by permission of Coventry Ar- that ye faile not to doo yo[ur] effectuell dili- chives

CALLING ALL TEACHERS!

As you know we are preparing an educational package designed to fill the gap in the present National Curriculum and make Key Stage 3 students more aware of Richard III and his times. We have three sections nearly completed now but unfortunately, for various reasons, we still need a section on the Battle of Bosworth. We are not interested in the debate on the site of Bosworth; we need general information on medieval warfare and an outline of the main attendees and why they were there and why they were supporting Richard or Henry. Obviously the lesson plan needs to conform to the National Curriculum but we are looking for an imaginative and fun vehicle for teach- ing students about the subject. Do you think you could help us with this?

We already have a team of teachers who have done a fabulous job of producing the three existing sections, so if you volunteered they would be able to advise and support you along the way so you would not be on your own.

If you would like to get involved in this exciting project, please can you contact me on 01483 481305 or via email: [email protected].

Jane Trump

Logge Notes and Queries: To My Wife, Her Own Clothes

LESLEY WYNNE-DAVIES

y the Married Women’s Property Act of clude the words contra voluntatem eius B 1882 – yes, as late as 1882, in the life- (against her will), and was classed as a tres- time of both my grandmothers – a married pass, not a felony, which a real rape would woman was made capable of acquiring, hold- have counted as. The swords and so forth are ing and disposing of real and personal proper- a legal fiction to get the case heard by the ty as if she were feme sole, a woman on her king’s justices, and do not imply that Richard own. actually used any force at all. What happened Before that, the common law of England was that Agnes ran off with Richard, and the took all her real or personal property away woollen and linen cloth was simply the from a married woman and bestowed it on her clothes she wore – the property of her hus- husband. He could give it away, sell it, or band John. By running off with Agnes, Rich- dispose of it in his will. If he owed money, ard stole her clothes from John. his creditors could seize her property as well When making his will, a cautious husband as his. The only chattels exempt from this might spell out that his wife was to keep the were the clothes she stood up in. Not even clothes she wore. At least five Logge testa- the common law of England allowed a man or tors did so. his creditors to make a wife go absolutely Thomas Warham, a carpenter of Croydon naked into the world, though ‘the clothes she (Logge will 30 - subsequent numbers are sim- stood up in’ were still her husband’s property. ilar references), made a long and detailed These clothes included a few trinkets and will, specifying all the household goods his ornaments, known to the law as her parapher- wife Elyn was to have, provided that she did nalia. Even these trinkets were the husband’s, not marry again: bedding, curtains, wall- to give away or be taken for his debts. The hangings, ‘ledes, vessels, hustilmentes and only thing he could not do was to bequeath bruying necessaries’, six of the best cattle, them in his will. Paraphernalia is a Greek hogs, geese and poultry, and ‘I biqueth to the word, meaning ‘goods brought by a bride forsaide Elyn all the array and apparell to her over and above her pherne, or dowry’. To the own propre body bilongyng and all othere the Spartans, pherne also meant ‘the portion of goodes and money in her owne propre keping the sacrificial animal reserved for the god’, being att the tyme of my decesse’. Elyn is to which just about sums up the dowry system. be content with these bequests. If not, the This law is what lies behind cases found household stuff goes to someone else. Robert in assize records which at first sight appear to Bifeld, ironmonger of London (40), says be rapes accompanied by theft. A typical much the same thing: ‘to Johanne my wif in case is that of Agnes, wife of John Blacston full contentation of her purparte and dower to of Tring, Hertfordshire. The presenting jury her of right bilonging of almannere my said that Richard Holte rapuit (seized) her by goodes and catalles moveable and unmovea- force of arms, namely, swords, bows and ar- ble, all tharay and apparell to her owne per- rows, and cepit et abduxit (took and abduct- sone bilonging’ – and 1,800 marks. She too ed) her, with the goods and chattels of the must be content with that; if she is not, the said John, namely cloth of wool and linen to bequest is void and she is to have nothing the value of 10s. But the charge did not in- more than her dower third.

John Twynyho (whose will (169) we have He says, ‘Item that my ijde wifes russet satyn noticed before) left his wife Alianora ‘all the gowne be maade in vestimentes for the chirch bodily adornments belonging to her given by of Tratton. ... Item that my ijde wifes bonys me’; John Fyssher, mercer of London said be laid in my tombe with me.’ He also in- that Margaret his wife was to have ‘all her structed that the marble stone which he had array, apparaill, girdels, ringes, bedis and bought for his first wife should be laid upon broches to heir body belonging for her owen her at Arundell, presumably having now propre wering’ (245), and Richard Rede, gro- made the decision not to be buried with her. cer of London said the same: ‘all her gowns, Thomas Brampton (256) made his will on 28 girdles, bedes, ringes’ (275). September 1485, making the Duchess of Nor- William Stepham (177) made his will in folk his sole executrix. (Poor woman, she Bruges on 12 September 1472 before a notary had other things to think about then, being public and a number of witnesses, and died newly widowed, but the will was proved by soon afterwards. The notary recorded the will her proctor on 10 November 1485.) Bramp- in florid Latin. (It was not proved until De- ton left his cousin Rowlesley one of his best cember 1486 – why?) Stepham was betrothed gowns, and Rowlesley’s wife ‘one of my to a Margaret Wodehows, and the phraseolo- wifes gownes the best she will chose with a gy of his will makes it sound as if betrothal dimysent such as it shall pleais my ladies also put a woman’s chattels into the man’s grace to geve heir’. And ‘I will that maistres possession. Luckily for Margaret, Stepham Jane have one of my wifes gownes’. There was an honourable man. He also left her all appear to have been no children of his mar- the trousseau he had lovingly collected for riage, as he leaves all his lands and tenements her: to his brother Robert, and household items to ‘He also willed that the lady Margaret Robert, his brother William, and his sister Wodehows, his declared betrothed, should Elizabeth. keep and retain as her own possessions all the Finally, what are we to make of some be- goods whether moveable or immoveable quests by Richard Tillys (277)? ‘Also I leave which she held and possessed before the to my wife Margery all my tenements in Gre- promise of marriage between her and William newich during her life, and after Margery’s was made, and no share or division of these death the said tenements shall remain to my goods was to be made with the heirs or suc- daughter Elizabeth ... Also I leave to my cessors of the said William. And further- daughter Elizabeth a silver gilt saltsaler with a more, after his debts had been settled for body of coral, and a girdle called a dimycent them, William gave and left to the lady Mar- which belongs [pertinet] to her mother, also a garet, his betrothed, all the jewels, garments, primer belonging to her mother.’ Tillys made precious objects or other womanly adornment his wife Margery his sole executrix, so we [jocalia, vestes, clinodia et .. ornamenta muli- may presume that he trusted her to do his erum] now in Calais or Bruges which were bidding, and had perhaps even consulted her. intended for the body of his betrothed on the Nevertheless, to a modern mind, for a man to solemnisation of the marriage. Also the testa- bequeath his wife’s property sounds strange. tor required his executors to treat the lady Margaret in a manner which would give her Sources: no cause for disagreement with him or his, so For the law, see Pollock & Maitland, The that in the future the lady would be bound to History of English Law, vol. 2 (1895) reissue maintain that her betrothed’s behaviour to- with intro by SFC Milsom CUP 1968, vol. II, wards her had ever been that of a good, just 405; and JH Baker, An Introduction to Eng- and honourable man.’ lish Legal History (3rd edn, Butterworth Some men appear to have kept their dead 1990) p. 555; the case of Agnes Blacston is in wives’ clothes until their own deaths. The my Buckinghamshire Inquests and Indict- will of Roger Lewkenor (9) is particularly ments (Bucks Record Society 1994) touching. Lewkenor, a Lancastrian who had (published under my maiden name, Lesley sat as MP for Sussex, died on 4 August 1478. Boatwright). 28

The Woodvilles

CHRISTINE WEIGHTMAN

he two well researched and interesting and the second to the heiress of the legiti- T articles by Lynda Pidgeon and Andrew mised Beaufort/Lancaster line. Kettle on the Woodvilles in Vol XV of The The Woodvilles at least began higher up Ricardian sent me back to the notes made the social stratum than the de la Poles of Hull. when I was researching the life of Anthony, The Woodvilles had long been one of the Earl Rivers. I hope some extracts from these 5000 or so gentry families entitled to bear notes might be a useful contribution to a sub- coats of arms and from whom the crown ject which is full of puzzles and contradic- would appoint its local administrators. They tions and where the paucity of evidence has were naturally the eyes and ears of the court. obliged some historians to build mighty argu- Given brains, charm, character, ambition and ments on the occasional letter or on a one- luck some of this class would become the line reference in a document. leaders of armies and enter court service. Like As Rosemary Horrox pointed out, the Sir John Fastolf and Sir Thomas Scales, Sir Woodvilles’ power ‘was almost entirely de- Richard Woodville (died 1441) rose through rivative’ and ‘it is probably more realistic to military service under the crown in France. see the family as part of the royal connec- Through his enterprise he placed himself at tion’, (Richard III. A study in Service, 1989, the midst of the Lancastrian administration in p.126). Over at least three generations the Rouen and enabled his son Richard, later the Woodvilles were consistently part of the court first Woodville Earl Rivers, (died 1469) to be affinity, first to the Lancastrian court and then knighted at Henry V1's first investiture beside to the Yorkist. So it is probably not realistic great noblemen such as Richard, Duke of to talk about a Woodville affinity. It is cer- York. He also enabled the younger Richard to tainly true that it was the two exceptionally meet and marry Jacquetta of St Pol, a mar- lucky marriages that brought the Woodvilles riage which set the stage for the more im- into the heart of the court. These were natu- portant marriage of Edward IV to Elizabeth rally envied by their contemporaries and laid Woodville. them open to accusations of opportunism, Much is made of the disparity of rank greed and even witchcraft and sorcery. How- between Richard and Jacquetta and its conse- ever there was nothing strange in the fifteenth quences. The tendency of dowagers to dispar- century in marriages bringing sudden leaps up age themselves in their second marriage was the social ladder or, as they would have put it, common enough in the fifteenth century for it rises on the wheel of fortune. to be an interesting phenonomen but not nec- The de la Poles, the Hollands, the Her- essarily a social and political disaster. Henry berts and of course Edward IV's great friend IV's sister Elizabeth and Henry V's widow William, Lord Hastings, all made meteoric Catherine de Valois had both remarried be- ascents. Sir William Herbert went from a neath them. Although Catherine was actually Welsh squire to a wealthy baron in one dec- imprisoned when the marriage to Owen Tu- ade. Many of the most noble families had dor became known, the family into which she some very lowly ancestors but had the dual married was elevated by her action. Henry VI advantages of fortunate marriages and royal was very supportive of the interests of his half favour. The most successful family of all, the brothers, Jasper and Edmund Tudor. Without Tudors, also rose through two lucky marriag- the marriage to Catherine it is inconceivable es, the first to a dowager queen of England that a Tudor would have married the great

heiress Margaret Beaufort and so fathered a Luxembourg connection. The Woodvilles’ king of England. Up to her death Catherine, link to one of the greatest families in North although the wife of a mere knight, kept the West Europe was a mixed blessing. By the courtesies and titles of a queen dowager. fifteenth century the St Pols were having to There were several other well known ex- navigate very stormy waters between the amples of elevation through marriage. The Dukes of Burgundy and the Kings of France. Duke of Suffolk was himself descended from Their lands straddled the territories of both the union in 1383 of the Hull merchant Mi- these frequently hostile powers. During the chael de la Pole and a daughter of Hugh, Earl second half of the century Jacquetta's eldest of Stafford, who could claim descent from brother and the head of the family, Louis of Edward III. The Hollands, the Beauforts, the Luxembourg, Count of St Pol, fared particu- Beaufort/Nevilles and the Bourchiers were all larly badly. In order to maintain his position families of mixed social origins and in each he was forced to turn his coat so often that he case the family had assumed the higher status seemed to forget which side he had on. He not the lesser. The division of the nobility into was particularly inept at reading the lie of the three great layers: those of royal blood, the political land (perhaps also a characteristic of old feudal families and the gentry was neither Anthony, the second Earl Rivers). Louis be- fixed nor pure. There was enough intermar- came so notorious that he was regarded as a riage to make social mobility a normal feature traitor by the duke of Burgundy and the kings of the fifteenth century. This does not mean of England and of France and this resulted in that disparagement by marriage was not a his execution in 1475. matter to be gossiped about and regarded with Jacquetta’s cousin Jacques fared no better malice by those who might feel disadvan- from his loyalty to the Duke of Burgundy. He taged by the union as evidenced by the abuse died in battle a year later. The St Pols were of Earl Rivers and his son by Warwick and not the only family to change sides during the Edward at Calais. political turmoil of Charles the Bold’s con- According to Waurin, a gossip par excel- flict with Louis XI. The de Croy family fol- lence, Jacquetta had married an English lowed a similarly devious path with family knight named ‘Richard Doudeville ... hand- members on both sides of the divide but were some ... and well formed in all his limbs but distinctly more successful than the St Pols as regards to ligneage he was in no way her who gained a reputation across Europe for equal.’ But far from being any sort of disad- their vacillation and their failure. vantage the marriage to Jacquetta was a great The Woodvilles themselves had drawn asset for Sir Richard Woodville who thus attention to their St Pol inheritance. At the achieved his earldom and was able to contin- marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth, Count ue a successful career in service of the Lan- Jacques and his entourage made a prominent castrian crown. arrival. Edward displayed Elizabeth’s well- Certainly they were not wealthy in lands born relatives to counter the disgust at his or income but they had the favour of the Lan- secret and lowly marriage. In the 1470s An- castrian court. Jacquetta kept her former titles thony Earl Rivers made several well publi- and was referred to as the duchess or dowager cised trips to the continent where he was well duchess of Bedford long after her Woodville known and his judicial murder in 1483 was husband had been ennobled as Earl Rivers. reported across Europe. How did the foreign Throughout her life at both the Lancastrian connections of the Woodvilles affect the way and Yorkist courts Jacquetta of St Pol was they were regarded by some of their English accorded the deference due to one of the peers? There had always been prejudice and greatest ladies in the land, equalling that paid xenophobia in England towards high-rising to Cecily, Duchess of York. Was this a prob- nobles of foreign extraction. Were the Wood- lem for ‘proud Cecily?’ villes regarded as ‘never wholly English’ and One element of the Woodville inheritance “therefore never wholly trusted” as was Si- worthy of more study is the St Pol / Ligny / mon de Montfort, (J.R. Maddicott, CUP,

1994). Did the English nobility become more are sometimes portrayed by Warwick and insular after their expulsion from France? It is others, they might have been expected to hud- certainly true that even being born abroad was dle together for protection and to build up a enough to bring suspicion as exemplified by wide network of defensive alliances. Far from the rumours of bastardy attached to Edward showing any of these cautious characteristics IV mainly because he had been born at Rou- the Woodvilles almost continually displayed en. Richard III emphasised his own birth at an unbounding if misplaced confidence. This Fotheringhay as an asset and as proof that he confidence may well have derived from the was a true-born scion of the house of York. fact they had been an extraordinarily lucky How much did the problems of the St Pols family due to those two amazingly auspicious and especially the treachery of Louis affect marriages. the position of the Woodvilles in England? The greatest puzzle concerning the Wood- Did it colour the judgement of Richard duke villes must be how from positions of strength of Gloucester and contribute to his motivation they twice allowed themselves to be de- in 1483? stroyed by their enemies. Were they over con- The other characteristic that the Wood- fident in their royal favour? Were they just villes displayed apart from their noble conti- not grasping and suspicious enough for their nental connections was a large family net- times? In both crises they are brought low by work. As well as making them a very visible opponents who moved fast and without scru- target the size of a family did not necessarily ple but neither Warwick in 1469 nor Richard bring strength and unity. This is nowhere in 1483 had a particularly large following clearer than in the case of the Nevilles where behind them. It is even more astonishing that the large brood of Ralph Neville’s two mar- in both instances the two successive Lord riages split into two opposing camps and the Rivers allowed themselves to be separated ill-will generated by their family feuds rever- from a powerful force of men who could have berated across the politics of fifteenth-century protected them. In trying to explain these England. Ralph’s youngest daughter, Cecily events later historians from Mancini and Neville’s three sons by Richard, Duke of More to the present day might rightly try to York are even better known for their interne- seek explanations in the nature of their oppo- cine strife which ultimately destroyed the nents, in the Woodville marriages, in a dis- hopes and ambitions of the House of York. cussion of their affinities and families and in The children of Richard Woodville and an examination of their policies on foreign Jacquetta of St Pol,while never openly in con- affairs and domestic politics. To a contempo- flict with each other, are certainly not seen rary of these dramas and certainly to Anthony working closely together. It was this lack of Lord Rivers himself it was all a matter of that cohesion which contributed to the ruin of wheel of fortune whose revolutions no one 1483. If the Woodvilles had considered them- could control. selves to be the outsiders and parvenus they

‘Rich and Hard by Name’ ?: a 1483 Mystery

KEN HILLIER

ohn Meade Falkner (1858-1932) is proba- friend of yours, suggests that I might write to J bly best known for his novel Moonfleet you on another subject. In a bible of mine (1898). He only wrote two others, The Lost c.1280 there is written on one of the blank Stradivarius (1895) and The Nebuly Coat leaves at the end, something that looks like a (1903), each justly admired. His passions lampoon – possibly on Richard III. It is in were for topography, literature, baroque rhyming hexameters (16 lines) and is dated church music and palaeography and, was 1483. It is difficult to read, and the allusions known as a wealthy and discriminating col- are obscure, but I have made a transcript of it. lector of fine things – above all of books. He It is not without some human, and possibly built up a huge collection of missals, brevia- political, interest, and it occurred to me that ries, Books of Hours, psalters and incunabula. you might like to see it. If you would, I will He owned the fifteenth-century Closworth send you a copy of it.’ Missal and a York Missal once belonging to Catherine Parr. His copy of Jac de Voraigne’s Falkner wrote again to James on 13 Au- The Golden Legend, published by Caxton at gust 1915: his Westminster Press sometime after the ‘Please forgive my delay in answering autumn of 1483, was a particularly prized your kind letter. It is simplythat the times are possession. out of joint, and that till tonight I have found Falkner’s wealth came from his position no chance of writing. The lines are carefully as a Director of Armstrong Whitworth, the written at the end of a Vulgate (c.1280). The massive armaments manufacturer based on handwriting is difficult but I have no doubt of the banks of the river at Elswick, Newcastle- the accuracy of this transcription.’ upon-Tyne. The firm was naturally heavily involved in the Great War – a war which, by He then copied out the ‘lampoon’: the Spring of 1915, was producing horren- dous losses on the Western Front and, by late Cordificis natus pastor Sarum titulatus April, a shortage of shells so obvious as to Auxilio regis curam capiens sui gregis lead to a public outcry initiated by Colonel Qui te cacabit te subdole adnichilabit Repington, the military correspondent of The Anno bis seno morieris gutture pleno Times. Falkner, just elected Vice-Chairman of En plenitudo agitur de presule nudo Armstrong Whitworth, had also been reading Fis pastor Sarum curam gerens animarum The Times that week - at breakfast in the Na- Victus eris certe si fiant prelia per te tional Club, London. However, he had been Dant ob peccata contraria se tibi fata discussing with other diners a Latin version in Casus adest qui te privabit lumine vitae that paper of an epigram on Mr. WGC Glad- Presul ventures dives et nomine durus stone’s death. He wrote on 28 April 1915 to Grex tibi marcescet donec infamia cesset Montague James, Provost of King’s College, Contentum solo te caste vivere volo Cambridge, enclosing a copy for him. He went on Sanguinis egregii fis praedo pastor olimpi ‘Mr. Saxton Noble, who is I believe a Boria nutritus precibus mitra redimitus

Morte repentina morieris facta ruina Your flock withers away until ill-fame Gratia divina liberaberis a libitina may cease I wish you to live chastely content Falkner continued, with the soil (or held in the soil) ‘The division into groups of lines are as You, shepherd of Olympus, become in the original. Underneath it is written in the robber of noble blood (or vice versa) another hand: - Nourished by prayers in the North, Cantus magistri Johannis Morton… in crowned with a mitre, cista Chicheley anno domini Mcccc Lxxxiii You will die by sudden death, becom- penultimo die mensis Augusti et de una Biblia ing a ruin, 2o. Fo “qui aperit” et jacet (?) pro (? prope) 2 By divine grace you will be set free by The reference “qui aperit fo 2o” is the death* identification of this actual bible: and the “et (* Libitina was the goddess of corpses) jacet” shows, I suppose, the case or shelf. The short word … after Morton looks like “exa” The chant (song) of Master John Morton but is obliterated to some extent. If it were not … in the chest Chicheley in the year of the for the gender it might stand for excellentissi- lord 1483 on the last day of the month of Au- ma. In the verses “dives et nomine durus” gust and from a Bible (of which the second must be a play on Richard. I think it is very volume starts ‘qui aperit’, ‘who opens’, and it likely that the verses may be a common- lies near (?) 2. place, and that you may know them.’ Further research suggests that the poem Although there are comments written to is about William Aiscough, bishop of Salis- the side of the Latin, presumably in James’ bury from July 1438 to June 1450. He had hand, no transcription has survived. Lesley been a canon of Lincoln and one of the chap- Wynne-Davies, a member of our Society’s lains in Henry VI’s household, and had mar- Research Group, has produced a literal trans- ried Henry and Margaret of Anjou at Titch- lation below and, although she agreed that the field on 21 April 1445. Well known to be a ‘dives et nomine durus’ appeared to be a play friend of the unpopular duke of Suffolk on the name ‘Richard’, she thought the poem (murdered on 3 May, 1450), Aiscough, was was more likely to be about a bishop of Salis- dragged from the chancel of Edington Priory, bury. Wiltshire where he was saying mass on 29 Son of (a) roper, with the title Shepherd June, and murdered on a nearby hill. Hence of Salisbury ‘You will die in twelve years (1438-1450) Taking care of his flock with the help with a full throat’ (the Mass?)… ‘You will of the king die by sudden death’. On the day of his death, Who will shit you will annihilate you the rebels associated with Jack Cade were craftily marching to rendezvous at Blackheath. Per- You will die in twelve years with a full haps the phrase ‘if battles happen through throat you’ refers to this. ‘Nourished in the North’ See fullness is the question (?) con- obviously means Lincoln. Moreover ‘Bishop cerning the naked bishop Richard is about to come’ also makes sense - You become shepherd of Salisbury taking Aiscough’s successor as bishop of Salisbury care of souls was Richard Beauchamp. You will certainly be conquered if One is tempted to identify John Morton battles happen through you as the bishop of Ely. However, on the last day The fates present themselves against of August 1483, Richard III was settling in to you because of (your) sins his third day at York, and Morton was proba- The chance/fall is here which will de- bly discoursing with the duke of Buckingham prive you of the light of life at the latter’s castle of Brecon on the trans- Bishop rich and hard (Richard) by mutability of power. It needs someone with name (is) about to come greater access to contemporary records than

myself to root out another, more likely, John Morton. Interestingly, there is a postscript: Falkner’s Collection of Fine Illuminated and Other Manuscripts, Rare Early Service On the fly-leaf at the end are some epi- Books, Incunables and other valuable printed grams in Latin verse on fifteenth century books, were sold by Sothebys in a three day Bishops of Salisbury. Notes on these by h sale, between 12 and 14 December 1932. Canon Wordsworth are inserted loose. The Bible appears as Lot number 29 on the Were the times so ‘out of joint’ for Falk- first day and is described as follows: ner in 1915, that he caught a red herring over Richard III? One wonders where the little BIBLE. LATIN, MANUSCRIPT vellum Bible is now and what exactly Canon ON VELLUM, 501 ll. Written in a minute Christopher Wordsworth, a close friend of gothic hand on thin vellum, a handsome Falkner’s, actually said in his ‘Notes’. Short painted initial with foliate decoration at of finding the latter, it is over to Ricardian the beginning of each book, small initials Bulletin readers to suggest answers to the in red and blue with pen flourishes, riddles posed.’ panelled olive morocco, in padded case. (6⅝ in. by 4⅝ in.) ENGLISH, XIII CENT.

The Debates

Our last Bulletin Debate on Perkin Warbeck, in the Summer issue, raised very little reaction despite having two excellent protagonists. We are interested to know why this was, perhaps because you are not interested in this particular topic or feel that there is little to say on it, or are you not interested in this kind of debate? We would be most interested to know, so would welcome your letters, perhaps suggesting topics we could have debates on. If you are still thinking about the Perkin Warbeck debate we will still welcome your letters or articles on this. When writing to me please note my new address on the back page of this issue. Peter Hammond

Paul Murray Kendall and the Richard III Society

JOHN SAUNDERS

n this fiftieth anniversary year of the publi- was reviewed early in January 1956. The I cation of Paul Murray Kendall’s biography book had a significant impact on Ricardian of King Richard, the Bulletin has been cele- studies and remains a most important land- brating the event with a series of articles. We mark in the progress of revisionist opinion. have heard from his daughter, Callie, about In the words of Jeremy Potter ‘(Kendall) was her memories of her father and from Keith the long awaited answer to the revisionists’ Dockray on an historian’s view of the biog- prayers. Here at last was the champion of raphy. Now we look at the influence of Ken- their dreams, an historian well disposed to- dall on the general Ricardian climate, and in wards Richard who could not be summarily particular the re-founding of our Society. dismissed as insane like Buck, perversely The year 1955 was an important one in eccentric like Walpole, femininely romantic the history of the Richard III Society. Since like Halstead or an interloping adventurer like 1952 our senior vice-President, Isolde Markham. Here too was the perfect comple- Wigram had been working hard in her efforts ment to Josephine Tey. What she achieved at to revive the Fellowship of the White Boar. a popular level he was to match in the world The Fellowship founded in 1924 by Saxon of scholarship.’ Kendall’s book was to reign Barton had, after an active period during the as the principal biography of Richard III for 1930s, become dormant in the post-war years. the next quarter-century. That it remained so By 1955 Isolde had tracked down Barton and for the important formative years of the Rich- through correspondence and the occasional ard III Society was a distinct advantage. meeting with him had brought the re- Indeed over the years Josephine Tey’s founding of the Fellowship almost to fruition. Daughter of Time, Olivier’s Richard III, and This was finally achieved on the 26 January Kendall’s biography have been the starting 1956 when the inaugural meeting of the re- points for an interest in the king for many constituted Fellowship was held at Caxton members of the Society. Hall. Paul Murray Kendall was born in 1911 in During 1955 two events were to give the Philadelphia and was educated at the Univer- re-founding much impetus and in the longer sity of Virginia where he received all his pro- term were to play significant roles in thede- fessional training. For many years he was velopment of the Society. Laurence Olivier’s Professor of English Literature at the Univer- classic film of Shakespeare’s Richard III was sity of Ohio and later at the University of released in April and later in the year Paul Kansas. Of his character a contemporary not- Murray Kendall’s acclaimed biography of the ed ‘always he was a man who found fun and king was published. Whilst giving two almost delight in everything he did, from sowing a diametrically opposed views of Richard III, lawn to carrying out prodigious researches they both nonetheless generated much public- into remote areas of history. To him the past ity about the king which provided a very was every bit as real as the present.’ Over the helpful backdrop to the work underway to years his Richard III was followed by three reactivate the Society. other books on the late fifteenth-century: Paul Murray Kendall’s Richard III was Warwick the Kingmaker, Yorkist England and published in England during December and Louis XI. He was nominated for the Pulitzer 35

Prize in 1965 for his book The Art of Biog- edition of the book Kendall’s other daughter, raphy. Gillian, noted that he found the challenge of His Richard III received good reviews researching through sometimes disorganised and was praised for its scholarly and literary and uncatalogued archives exhilarating. merit. The Times Literary Supplement noted Kendall recorded in his preface to Rich- that Kendall was ‘brilliantly successful in ard III his gratitude to Professor Alec Myers discharging his task. This book, based of Liverpool University who had read early throughout on original authorities, combines drafts and had offered ‘suggestions and sound scholarship with literary distinction…. emendations of the greatest value’. It is Richard III is here displayed as a sombre and almost certain that Kendall would have visit- intelligible figure’. There was a more critical ed Liverpool to meet Myers and this leads to review by Sir Harold Nicolson in The Ob- an intriguing conjecture. There is a curious server, whose principal criticism was that reference, in a letter written by Saxon Barton Kendall had relied too much on conjecture in in late 1954, to a meeting at the Airport Ho- the place of contemporary evidence and had tel in Liverpool with an American lecturer in created ‘in place of the cacodemon…. this English Literature. The possibility must be valiant lad from Yorkshire’. Nicolson’s re- that this chance meeting was with Paul Mur- view led to a number of responses in the ray Kendall. Barton makes no reference to letter pages of the paper. Many noted that the forthcoming book, but he does note that Nicolson had reacted in his review as though the American was ‘full of the Ricardian Kendall were the first author to write sympa- controversy’. If indeed they did meet a num- thetically about Richard III. One of them, the ber of intriguing questions arise: did Kendall historical novelist Jean Plaidy, reminded him mention the book? Did Saxon mention the ‘I think that Sir Harold has forgotten that in Fellowship? And what did they make of his Historical Doubts Horace Walpole in his each other? century did for Richard what Philip Lindsay Paul Murray Kendall died in the autumn and others have done in theirs.’. of 1973 and his obituary in The Times rec- Dr A L Rowse in his review noted that it orded that ‘he had a singular gift for writing was the best biography of Richard III ever vividly and excitingly, while remaining written. However Kendall could not return wholly reliable as an historian.’ As we cele- the complement a decade later when he brate the fiftieth anniversary of the publica- wrote a critical review of Rowse’s Bosworth tion of his Richard III we should recall the Field and the Wars of the Roses. words of A Compton Reeves in a Ricardian The publication of Kendall’s book had Register article published to mark the been preceded by many years of research. He book’s fortieth anniversary ‘… we students had been awarded a Ford Foundation Fel- of Richard and his era must in all fairness lowship for 1952-53 which enabled primary and candour acknowledge our debt to an archive research to be carried out in England Ohio University Professor of English.’ and Europe. In her introduction to a later

Correspondence

Dear Editor, London: Lady Anne Mowbray (1964) 2005 marks an important anniversary of Walsingham Augustinian Priory, Norfolk: which most people will be aware, but may not Sir Bartholomew Burghersh and others know about the Ricardian connection. It is (1961) the 400th anniversary of Bartholomew Gos- Bury St Edmunds Abbey, Suffolk: Thom- nold’s founding of Jamestown, Virginia. as Beaufort, Duke of Exeter and others Gosnold’s family came from Otley Hall, (eighteenth century) eight miles outside Ipswich. His brother, White Friars Priory, Norwich: numerous John, married Winifred Windsor, grand- remains (various dates), including possibly daughter of Sir Geoffrey Pole: thus she was Lady Eleanor Talbot (1955). Richard’s great-great-great niece. It is well known that the remains of the In a strange parallel with Richard’s situa- members of the house of York remained un- tion, bones purporting to be those of Barthol- disturbed in the ruined east end of the dis- omew Gosnold have been found in America solved College at Fotheringhay for some 60 and are being compared with the known re- years (until rescued by Elizabeth I). Not until mains of one of his sisters. the eighteenth century, apparently, were some Stephen Lark of the de Vere tombs salvaged from the ruins Dear Editor, of Earls Colne Priory. The burials of Lionel, Lynda Pidgeon’s ‘The Burial Place of Rich- Duke of Clarence and his wife, and of Ed- ard III’ (Summer Bulletin, pp. 19-21) makes mund Mortimer, still lie in the choir of the interesting (if rather depressing) reading. The ruined pre-Reformation church at Clare Pri- paper offers valuable insights, while, inevita- ory. The intact tombs of the 3rd and 4th Mow- bly, leaving us without a definitive solution to bray dukes of Norfolk (albeit minus their dec- the problem of Richard’s present resting orative superstructures) are still to be found in place. the ruins of Thetford Priory. Only last year, Valuable as Lynda’s summary of the evi- in a ceremony at the modern Franciscan cem- dence undoubtedly is, however, there are etery at East Bergholt in Suffolk, the reburial points in her analysis which I would question. took place of the considerable number of hu- Her final paragraph opens with the assertion: man remains excavated during a recent ar- ‘when the Grey Friars was pulled down it is chaeological examination of the Grey Friars likely that any bones from burials were gath- site in Norwich. ered together and placed into one of the local Only in a handful of very high status in- churches’. stances were remains removed and reburied at I would argue that, on the contrary, it is the time of the Dissolution. In each case this extremely unlikely that any such wholesale was arranged by close and concerned rela- reburial took place. tives. Thus Henry VIII himself ordered the Lynda herself adduces no evidence in sup- transfer of the burial of his sister, Mary, port of her statement, and indeed, there is, to Queen of France, from Bury St Edmunds Ab- my knowledge, no evidence of any wide- bey to the nearby St Mary’s Church; the third spread exhumation and reburial of human re- Howard duke of Norfolk rescued the Howard mains anywhere at the Dissolution. On the burials from Thetford Priory (leaving the other hand, evidence to the contrary is very Mowbrays behind); the last Bourchier earl of strong. There are innumerable instances of the Essex saved family burials (including that of later recovery of burials from monastic sites, Richard III’s aunt, Isabel of York, Countess far too many to list them all here. The follow- of Essex) from Beeleigh Abbey, Maldon. ing, however, may suffice as exemplars: In the light of all this weight of evidence, Convent of the Poor Clares (‘Minories’), and given that in the case of Richard III no 37

concerned close relative was on hand in the After this Anne fought valiantly to be 1530s, I think we must presume that at the heard over a tirade of further regurgitated Tu- Dissolution Richard’s burial simply remained dor ‘history’ that focused only on the ‘known’ in whatever location it then lay, and that [?] deaths of the princes during Richard’s Lynda’s theory that he might have been re- reign. I am sure Anne will tell us how she moved to St Martin’s church can be dis- struggled in vain to put forward Richard’s missed. case but how [as is always the case with these One final point: Lynda suggests that programmes] the majority of what she said Buck’s reference, in respect of Richard’s bur- was edited out - good news on Richard does ial, to both a ‘church … called St Mary’s’ and not make for an interesting programme, at to the church of the Grey Friars is evidence of least never it seems on Channel 5, but this is some confusion on his part. I, on the contrary, where we must learn, and we must learn now. would argue that it shows that Buck knew We must learn the art of the sound bite. what he was talking about. It is perhaps worth An editor and director will pick out only recalling that the dedication of a priory that which is given to him and if we continue church of the Friars Minor to the Blessed Vir- to allow, or be part of, discussions on the nev- gin Mary was the norm. It is virtually certain, er-ending question of the ‘deaths’ of the therefore, that the Grey Friars Church in princes as the only marker for Richard’s reign Leicester was so dedicated. then we must accept that this is what will be John Ashdown-Hill broadcast. May I suggest that in the future Dear Editor we prepare for these programmes with our The recent programme, ‘Britain’s Greatest own sound bites, give them clearly and suc- Monarch’ [Channel 5, Monday 13th June / cinctly, and then shut up. For example when History Channel, Sunday 26th June] has raised Anne was asked why Richard should be con- some very important issues for us as a socie- sidered as Britain’s greatest monarch this was ty. Although the programme was a formulaic our opportunity to hit them with a prepared one with a relatively small audience it has sound bite: ‘ Because in only two years this highlighted not only how much work we as a man did … A, B, C, D, E’ [quickly hit the society have still to do but also some of the points] and then shut up. When the tirade areas that we must begin to concentrate on if comes at you again, you then simply repeat we are ever to have any hope of success in the what you have already said and then shut up media battle for Richard’s name. again. You do this ad nauseam until your In this programme an invited panel of ex- point is made and understood. Similarly with perts [historians, writers, commentators and the princes, a sound bite could be: ‘All any- politicians] was given the opportunity to ar- one can say is that they disappeared during gue the case for their favourite monarch Richard’s reign’. Say it again and again and against that of the others in order to determine shut up each time until the tirade either has to who was the greatest amongst them, and deal with what you have said or shuts up it- fighting bravely for Richard’s case was our self. It will come across as ‘odd’ the first time Anne Sutton. It was therefore with some trep- you do it but consider not only how these idation that I watched Richard’s moment ar- points will then have to be taken into account rive but hoped [particularly after the most re- not only by those who are with you on the cent research and programmes] it would be programme but also [and more importantly] one that at the very least would give him a by the editor and director. Consider what the fair hearing. Anne fought bravely but her bat- editor and director will be left with to broad- tle was almost lost before it had even begun. cast? Nothing but your sound bite and not The voice of the commentator, Jennie Bond theirs. [who introduced all of the monarchs] simply I am sure Anne will be the first to regurgitated most of John Morton’s protégé’s say how difficult and demanding it is to go on ‘history’ against a backdrop of the recent Ni- these programmes and how easy it is for gel Spivey programme. someone like me to tell her or anyone else in

the society what to do on them, and I whole- Your latest edition states that James IV heartedly agree, but this is also my point. gave ‘Perkin’ an unimportant bride. In the Finally I would also like to raise one other same issue she is stated to be the result of point – a point that saddens me so profoundly Huntly’s second marriage. Perhaps the writer that I am sure it must do likewise to many is unaware that the second Earl of Huntly others in the society, particularly those that made three (ref. Scots Peerage). His second watched this programme. Some of the invited was to the Princess Annabella Stewart, experts were historians from our greatest in- youngest daughter of James I and Joan Beau- stitutions, who when Richard’s reign and the fort. Both these had an inherited gene from a princes were being discussed not only common ancestor which induces deaths of laughed out loud but professed for all to hear young males or of males in utero, and allows [while shouting down a fighting Anne] that the frequent birth of barren daughters. Out of the only thing known about the princes is that six princesses only one, a deaf-mute, had de- they died during Richard’s reign. How sad is cided progeny by a second marriage, a line it to know that these are the custodians of our which failed. Annabella had been barren by future talent? Sadly, the society still has much her first marriage and may or may not have work to do. conceived by Huntly. His third marriage was Philippa Langley to Elizabeth Hay, of a far older family than the Stewarts. They were descended in the fe- Dear Editor, male line from the ancient Tanist royalty of What John Dowland would have called Mrs Scotia, who ruled before the marriage of Mal- Sanderson’s Plaint I can fully endorse. Like colm III to a Saxon princess as his second her, I would not again attend a Society meet- wife. Of their six sons, three reigned and one ing or conference, although it is always fasci- was the ancestor of the Stewarts. The Hays nating to receive the journals and, especially, meantime had been royal cupbearers, the news of available books. dapifers, and till recently were High Consta- When I joined at first some years ago, I bles of Scotland under the Earldom of Erroll. nearly left. I was literally barred from attend- Whichever was her mother, therefore, Lady ance at the Fotheringhay Christmas by what Katherine Gordon (decidedly spelt with a K, was evidently protocol, although the an- witness the tomb she never occupied at nouncement had been made that everybody Swansea where ‘Miladi Kateryn’ is inscribed was welcome. This was by no means the around the edge) was not negligible as a parti. case. As regards Dr Wroe’s evident fixation However I found the first Requiem at St about the ‘son’, I have already written to the Etheldreda’s a friendly affair: we talked on effect that the term ‘childer’ misinterpreted the way from the church to the restaurant and by the Venetian ambassador and presumably again over lunch. Although many people retailed to the Emperor Maximilian, is the were perhaps thoughtful after what may have plural of ‘chiel’ which means a servant, or, been their first experience of a Catholic Mass, occasionally, a young lad. For an infant in I do not think John Ashdown-Hill has any arms, all it can have been if it existed, the cause for apology. term ‘barne’ (bairn) would be used at the A later conference at Canterbury revealed time. There is no such mention either there or a friendly underbelly, but arrogance in the up- in the annals of Henry VII or VIII, which last per reaches. By then I had sent my only sub- made it difficult for Katherire to be taken into mission to The Ricardian, to have it returned Wales by her third husband and had refused admitting my historical point, but written in to let her return to Scotland. No child, male their variant of English. Eventually after or female, is mentioned there or anywhere. much resulting correspondence, I withdrew Lady Katherine’s subsequent marriages, one the article and published my original version at least made within her childbearing years, elsewhere. Its title was Lady Katherine Gor- and her relationship with Henry VII, whatever don: a royal marriage either way. it entailed, produced none. Diana Kleyn’s

only slip in Richard of England is to give her sons of Edward IV. Not only was she active- a daughter by Sir Matthew Cradock who was ly working on her son’s behalf but she was in his by a first marriage. a position to gain access to the princes. Mar- It is therefore on the cards that Lady Kath- garet Beaufort also knew that her son would erine was the daughter of Princess Annabella, not become king whilst they lived. and that the Hay arms on the tomb were out As interesting as the programme was, it of prudence so soon after Flodden, and under was a great pity that the writer could not resist the watchful eye of Henry VIII – who, with putting in a few historical inaccuracies. Alt- his father, would certainly have polished off hough it is not impossible that Queen Eliza- any relevant ‘Richard Perkin’ inhabiting Lan- beth may have had an opportunity to see Per- castrian Wales. She may of course have been kin, all the factual evidence points to the fact a Hay after all, but still of importance. This that Henry VII kept her well away from the says something after all for both James IV young man of whose identity he was so un- and ‘Perkin’. sure. It is also virtually certain that Thomas Pamela Hill More did not come into contact with Perkin Warbeck. Perkin Warbeck did not have a son Dear Editor, by his wife, Katherine Gordon, nor by any The recent Channel 4 drama about Perkin other woman so far as we know. It would Warbeck, ‘The Princes in the Tower’ was cer- seem that the Mel Gibson approach to history tainly interesting but the writer seemed to be is still alive and well! so confused about what line to follow, that Valerie Withey several confusing theories were crushed together, without any regard for consistency or Dear Editor, credibility. I became rather confused when I was rather surprised to read in the last Bulle- several story lines seemed to be pursued at tin John Ashdown-Hill’s comment that John, once: Earl of Lincoln ‘was declared heir to the  Richard III murdered the princes throne by his uncle, Richard III’ (page 8).  He only murdered Edward V (but what Whilst his appointments in the north of Eng- would be the point of that ?) land and as the king’s lieutenant, Chief Gov-  He didn’t murder Edward at all but ernor of Ireland, clearly indicate Richard's just had his tongue cut out favour and trust of his nephew and possibly  Margaret Beaufort murdered both princ- do indicate Richard’s intention following the es death of Prince Edward in 1484, I am not  She didn’t murder them, but kept them aware of an extant document that equivocally both (mute and barking mad) in a little names John as his heir. Intriguingly the Latin room, just down the corridor MS 113 in the John Rylands Library refers to For sheer confusion, this rivalled Sellar a parliament in the second year of the reign of and Yeatman’s celebrated paragraph (in 1066 King Richard which records Lincoln’s adop- and all that) on ‘Percy Warmneck’, but failed tion as heir by the king and that this was to be nearly as amusing, even with the benefit widely proclaimed but of course there is no of a lingering close-up of Henry VII’s faeces, state record of such a parliament. Perhaps which seemed to be borrowed straight from Richard’s intention was simply to groom a the film The Last Emperor ! suitable candidate in case of sudden illness Douglas Fermer and death but no doubt by 1485, with the de- mise of his queen and his probable intention Dear Editor, to re-marry, a public acknowledgement of The Channel 4 programme ‘Princes in the Lincoln as heir apparent was not advisable. Tower’ was of particular interest to me as I Wendy Moorhen have long believed that Margaret Beaufort was responsible for the disappearance of the Dear Editor,

What an exciting time to be a Ricardian! The goes on apace. To borrow from the TBS’s reappraisal of the life of the ‘feigned lad’, promotional literature they are planning ‘a (a.k.a. Perkin Warbeck and Richard Duke of timber framed sculpture for a timber framed York) by Ann Wroe, has been fascinating. town’ depicting a harnessed mounted figure, The latest debate between Ann and Norman with a lance bearing the date 1471. This, the MacDougall (Bulletin, Summer, 2005) in- ‘arrival’ will be positioned ‘on the Stonehill spired me to hunt out the Bulletin from Win- roundabout where the Yorkist army first saw ter 2003 and the article Margaret of York’s the Lancastrians’. Contributions of any ‘secret boy: the evidence from Binche’. In it amount are still sought (it is estimated that Ann Wroe refers to Richard’s handwriting as £30,000 is required). The TBS has come up being ‘very close to that of le Cordier, the with the novel request of asking for £14.71 Binche accountant’. I wondered if it would in donations for which donors receive: a cer- be possible for the Bulletin to publish exam- tificate of membership, donor’s name en- ples of each, for us to compare the two. I tered in the book of subscribers (which will believe the truth is out there. also be web based), discount at fund raising Margaret Byrne events, and an invitation to the official un- Dear Editor, veiling of the sculpture. The target date for Hail to Tewkesbury Battlefield ! On ye day unveiling is 2006. this year (coincidentally the nearest Sunday On a related subject: recently I purchased to the anniversary of the Battle of Tewkes- a copy of The Wars of the Roses by Anthony bury) a goodly sized party of local resi- Cheetham, part of a series A Royal History of dents/members of the Tekwesbury Battle- England edited by Antonia Fraser. This was field Society, plus some of us with connect- published in 2000 by Cassell and Co. of ing interested, walked the battlefield trail. London. No doubt many members have seen We were led by Steve Goodchild, whose a copy of this work. book on the battle is expected out later this What attracted me to this book was the year, published by Pen and Sword, who is photograph on page 79, reputed to be a Chairman of the TBS, with the able assis- ‘statue of George, Duke of Clarence’. This tance of one RAF combat uniformed and an- is blatantly not so: firstly it is not a statue other harnessed accoutred member (we could but obviously a weeper from the side of a always hear where he was) in what proved to tomb, secondly, with a forked beard and be a most enjoyable and informative after- much earlier clothing, this cannot be ‘our’ noon. George, but could only be Lionel, Duke of Starting with a background explanatory Clarence, second surviving son of Edward talk in the suitably half timbered old Baptist III. Chapel we progressed on our two hour trek. A visit to the ‘picture credits’ supplier, On this we passed the Abbey, dominating the the Bridgeman Art Library, London, fol- area, the Swilgate Brook, the town monu- lowed. There I was informed that their rec- ment (one face of which is dedicated to the ords showed this to be ‘George/Lionel?’ with battle) the site of Holme ‘Castle’ (always a the location of the original ‘at Westminster’. manor house), the Bloody Meadow (with in- Some may think this is not too far to go and formation board), the hill of Tewkesbury actually check, which is what I did at the Ab- Park (in the distance, wherein were the ‘200 bey, and yes, it is a weeper from Edward spears’), Windmill Hill (where Margaret of III’s tomb in the correct sequence. Anjou may have watched the rout of her ar- I did communicate this finding to both my), plus, with imagination, the ‘foul lanes’. the publisher and the art library, but not sur- The weather was not kind: cool, some sun, prisingly, no comment was received. This is lots of rain, and the biggest hail stones! and perhaps a reminder not to accept everything we only had one sallet between us! we see in print? Leading on from this, fund raising for the In closing I must acknowledge thanks to commemorative sculpture (see page 14) still Rollo Crookshank for pointing out the other

obvious fact that invalidates this being The Bulletin was not a deliberately ‘low George. Under the weeper is a shield of the key publication’: it was produced in accord- royal arms, with label. This is shown with ance with the then current financial and tech- multiple fleur-de-lys quartering, whereas of nological resources generally available. The course, by the second half of the fifteenth- new format Bulletin is produced as camera century they were represented by three only. ready copy for the printers as also was the Doug Weeks Bulletin in the past. Finally in the last line of the item, the then and current editor was not Dear Editor, ‘the lady who started it all’, as made clear in A couple of corrections are needed to the arti- the article in the Bulletin by the Bulletin Edi- cle in the Spring 2005 Bulletin, ‘Then and tor (Bulletin September 2002, pp.24-26). Now. Reflections on the first thirty years of Elizabeth Nokes the Ricardian Bulletin’. The Encomium of Richard III by Sir William Cornwallis the Younger edited by AN Kincaid with an introduction by JA Ramsden and AN Kincaird

The Society has recently obtained a supply of this important Ricardian book which is now available from the Sales Liaison Officer.

his early history of the

T ‘revisionist’ or defensive view of the reputation of King Richard III is contemporary with Sir George Buck’s History. In the introduction there is a discussion about the motivation for Corn- wallis’ work and it is suggested that is was written in response to a tract by John Morton, no long extant, vilifying the last Plantage- net king. The thesis of Professor Zeeveld (1940) that the tract was the basis for Sir Thomas More’s history is thoroughly discussed in the light of more recent scholarship (1977).

The Encomium of Richard III is published by Turner & Devereux, London 1977. Introduction 14 pages, text and notes 65 pages. Paperback. A4 size format. Price £3.50 plus £1.50 postage and packing. Available from Sally Empson, 42 Pewsey Vale, Forest Park, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2YA or e-mail: [email protected]

The Barton Library

Latest Additions to the Non-Fiction Books Library Listed below are a selection of books that have been added to the Non-fiction Books Library. All the books are hard-back unless otherwise described.

BELLAMY John G Criminal Law and Society in Late Medieval and Tudor England (Alan Sut- ton Publishing, 1984) This book demonstrates how the English criminal law in the late medieval and Tudor period, far from stagnating, was the subject of constant improvement to meet new challenges and changes were accomplished in novel or non-traditional ways. GIVEN-WILSON C (General Editor) The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England (The Nation- al Archives 2004 - CD-ROM) This CD-ROM contains the full text and translation of the meetings of the English parliaments from Edward I to Henry VII, covering the years from 1272 to 1504. All surviving records of the parliaments, including many texts never before published, are given in full with scholarly introductions to each parliament. The parliament rolls are freshly transcribed from the original documents. Over 100 specimen images show the rolls themselves and a sophisticated search system permits retrieval of words and phrases across the whole text. GRAVETT Christopher German Medieval Armies: 1300 -1550 (Osprey Men-At-Arms Series, 1988 - paperback) Lavishly illustrated, this book is concerned with the organisation and employ- ment of armies within the Holy Roman Empire with much emphasis on arms and the armour worn by men of all stations. HALL, Arthur Manual of Heraldry (Virtue & Company, 1862 - facsimile) Pocket book incor- porating everything you ever needed to know about heraldry, including a comprehensive diction- ary of heraldic terms. HIGHFIELD JRL & JEFFS Robin (Editors) The Crown and Local Communities: England and France in the Fifteenth Century (Alan Sutton Publishing, 1981) Essay topics include political theory and the relationship between Crown and local communities in England and France; London and the Crown; The relations between the towns of Burgundy and the French Crown; local reaction to the French re-conquest of Normandy, in relation to Rouen. KEEN Maurice (Editor) Medieval Warfare: A History (Oxford University Press 1999) This illustrated book covers 700 years of warfare in medieval Europe from Charlemagne through to 1500. Between them, the authors investigate developments in the methods of war, fortifications and siege warfare, armour, mercenaries, gunpowder, new skills in navigation and shipbuilding. LOADES David (General Editor) Chronicles of the Tudor Kings: The Tudor dynasty from 1485 to 1553: Henry VII, Henry VIII and Edward VI in the words of their contemporaries (Garamond Limited, 1990) Large coffee-table book, lavishly illustrated throughout in colour. Eyewitness accounts of the reigns of the Tudor kings, describing in vivid detail events as they unfolded and bringing to life in fascinating detail the splendour and pageantry of this extraordinary period. MANION Margaret The Wharncliffe Hours (Thames & Hudson 1981 - facsimile) Colour facimile reproduction of the Wharncliffe Hours with an introduction and commentaries by Mar- garet Manion. MARTIN Paul Armour and Weapons (Herbert Jenkins, London 1968) The author shows how the development of all kinds of armour depended both on economic and technological progress and on the continuous changes and improvements in offensive weapons, while its style and decoration were also influenced by fashion. MICHAEL Nicholas Armies of Medieval Burgundy: 1364-1477 (Osprey Men-At-Arms Series, 1988 - paperback) Lavishly illustrated, this book deals with the organisation and functioning of the Burgundian armies under the Valois dukes of Burgundy. 43

MILLER Douglas The Swiss at War: 1300-1500 (Osprey Men-At-Arms Series, 1988 - paperback) Lavishly illustrated, this book sets out to reconstruct as far as possible, the costume and weapons of the lower ranks of the Swiss and to outline, on the basis of illustrative material, the armour of the wealthier Swiss. The author concentrates on the period from the middle to the end of the fifteenth century, including the Burgundian Wars and the rise of Swiss military might to its zenith. NICOLE, David Italian Medieval Armies: 1300-1500 (Osprey Men-At-Arms Series 1987 - paperback) Beautifully illustrated, this book covers Italian mercenaries, and their contribution to medieval warfare, and looks at the arms and armour they would have had at their disposal.

Postal Book Auction Thanks again to the extremely generous donations of various members, I have another bumper selection of books on offer to the highest bidder. An asterisk (*) denotes a book which you can purchase new from the Sales Department. I have given a very conservative estimate of their value but you can bid above or below that figure - each book will be sold to the member who puts in the highest bid for it. In the event of identical bids, the winner will be the bid received first. As with last year, I am offering non-Ricardian books in the auction. The books are all hard-back and in good condition (unless stated otherwise). Please send your bids to me: Mrs Jane Trump, Gorsedene, Bagshot Road, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey GU21 2SF or email them to me at: [email protected] to arrive before Wednesday 28 September 2004. If you wish to be reassured that I have received your postal bid(s) please enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Do not send any money now! The successful bidders will be notified by post and the cost of postage added to the invoic- es, unless you would like to collect the books from Knaphill in person or can pick them up at the AGM on 1 October 2005. It would be very helpful if you could add a note to your bids saying if you expect to be at the AGM and giving me a phone number for contacting you to check. I regret that I shall not be able to write to everyone who puts in a bid so if you do not hear from me it will mean that your bid was unsuccessful.

Ricardian Non-Fiction ALEXANDER Michael Van Cleave The First of the Tudors (£8) BENNETT Michael The Battle of Bosworth (£8) BENNETT Michael Lambert Simnel and the Battle of Stoke (paperback - £5) CHEETHAM Anthony The Life and Times of Richard III - 2 copies (£8 & £5) CHEETHAM Anthony The Wars of the Roses (£5) CLIVE Mary This Sun of York (£3) COOK David R Lancastrians and Yorkists: The Wars of the Roses (small paperback - £2) CUNNINGHAM Sean Richard III: A Royal Enigma (paperback - £7) DENING John & COLLINS RE Secret History: The Truth about Richard III and the Princes (paperback - £4) DOCKRAY Keith Richard III: A Reader in History - 2 copies (paperback - £5 & £3) DOCKRAY Keith Richard III: A Source Book (updated version of the above book) (paperback £6) DOCKRAY Keith Edward IV: A Source Book (paperback - £6) DREWETT Richard and REDHEAD Mark The Trial of Richard III - 2 copies (paperback - £3 & £5) EDWARDS Rhoda The Itinerary of King Richard III: 1483-1485 - 6 copies (small paperback - £1)* GILL Louise Richard III and Buckingham's Rebellion - 2 copies (£10 each) GILLINGHAM John (ed) Richard III: A Medieval Kingship - 2 copies (paperback - £4 each)

HANKEY Julie (ed) Shakespeare Richard III: Plays in Performance (£1.50) HICKS Michael False, Fleeting, Perjur'd Clarence: George, Duke of Clarence 1449-78 (£6) HICKS Michael Richard III: The Man behind the Myth (£7) HORROX Rosemary Richard III: A Study in Service (paperback - £4) HORROX Rosemary & HAMMOND PW (eds) British Library Harleian Manuscript 433 - Vol 1 (£8)* HORROX Rosemary & HAMMOND PW (eds) British Library Harleian Manuscript 433 - Vol 2 (£8)* HORROX Rosemary & HAMMOND PW (eds) British Library Harleian Manuscript 433 - Vol 3 (£8)* JENKINS Elizabeth The Princes in the Tower - 2 copies in fair condition (£3 & £2.50) KENDALL Paul Murray Richard the Third - 2 copies in fair condition (£2 & £1.50) KENDALL Paul Murray Warwick the Kingmaker - fair condition (£2) KENDALL Paul Murray The Yorkist Age - fair condition (£2) KINCAID AN (ed) The Encomium of Richard III by Sir William Cornwallis the Younger - paperback (£5) [see advert] LAMB VB The Betrayal of Richard III - 4 copies (3 @ £2 & 1 @ £1.50) LAMB VB The Betrayal of Richard III (paperback - £2.50) LANDER JR The Wars of the Roses (£4) LEGGE Alfred O The Unpopular King: The Life & Time of Richard III - very old book (£2) LINDSAY Philip On Some Bones in Westminster Abbey (£4) MACALPINE Joan The Shadow of the Tower (paperback - £2.50) MANCINI Dominic The Usurpation of Richard III (paperback - £3) POLLARD AJ Richard III and the Princes in the Tower - 2 copies (£8 & £6) POLLARD AJ Richard III and the Princes in the Tower - 3 copies (paperback - £3.50 each) POTTER Jeremy Good King Richard? - fair condition (£2)* RAINE Michael The Wars of the Roses - fair condition (£2) RICHARDSON Geoffrey The Hollow Crowns (paperback - £1.50) ROSS Charles Richard III (£3.50) SEWARD Desmond Richard III: England's Black Legend - 2 copies (£4.50 each) SHER Antony Year of the King (£4) ST AUBYN Giles The Year of Three Kings: 1483 (£4) TREVOR-ROPER Hugh The Chronicles of the Wars of the Roses (large book - £7) TUDOR Miles The White Rose Dies (small pamphlet - £1) WEIGHTMAN Christine Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy 1446-1503 (£8) WEIR Alison The Princes in the Tower (£4) WEIR Alison The Princes in the Tower (1 large & 2 small paperbacks - £2 & £1 each respectively) WISE Terence The Wars of the Roses (paperback - £1.50) WILLIAMSON Audrey The Mystery of the Princes - 2 copies, 1 in fair condition (£3 & £2) WILLIAMSON Audrey The Mystery of the Princes (paperback - £1.50)

General Historical Non-Fiction ASTON Margaret The Fifteenth Century: The Prospect of Europe (paperback - £4) BALDWIN SMITH Lacey A Tudor Tragedy: The Life and Times of Catherine Howard - fair condition (£3) BENNETT HS Life on the English Manor: A Study of Peasant Conditions 1150-1400 (paperback - £3) BENNETT HS The Pastons and their England - old book (£2) BENNETT HS The Pastons and their England (paperback - £3) BIRT David Elizabeth's England (£4) 45

BRADBURY Jim The Medieval Archer (£5) BRANSTON Brian The Lost Gods of England - re: pagan worship (£4) BURKE John Look Back on England (£4) DOBSON RB The Church Politics and Patronage (£6) DONALDSON Frances Edward VIII: The Road to Abdication (£5) ELTON GR The Practice of History (paperback - £1.50) FILBEE Marjorie A Woman's Place: An illustrated history of women at home from the Romans to the Victorians (£5) FOWLER Kenneth The Age of Plantagenet and Valois (large book - £5) FRASER Antonia (ed) The Lives of the Kings & Queens of England (£4) FRAZER Antonia (ed) Kings & Queens of England - 28 volumes from the Saxon Kings to George VI (£50) GAIRDNER James Henry the Seventh (£3) GRAVETT Christopher Knights at Tournament (paperback - £3) HALLAM Elizabeth (ed) Chronicles of the Crusades (large book - £6) HALLAM Elizabeth (ed) The Plantagenet Chronicles (large book - £6) HEBDEN William Yorkshire Battles (small paperback - £2) HOME Gordon Medieval London (£3.50) HUNNISETT RF Indexing for Editors (paperback - £2) JACOB EF The Fifteenth Century: 1399-1485 (£7) JOHNSON Paul A Place in History (£6) LANDER JR Conflict and Stability in Fifteenth-Century England (paperback - £2.50) MARWICK Arthur The Nature of History (paperback - £2) MEDCALF Stephen (ed) The Context of English Literature: The Later Middle Ages (paperback - £2.50) MILLER Edward & HATCHER John Medieval England: Rural Society and Economic Change 1086-1348 (paperback - £2.50) MORRIS Christopher The Tudors (paperback - £1) PLATT Colin The English Medieval Town (£5) PLOWDEN Alison Danger to Elizabeth (I) (£3.50) POOLE AL Domesday Book to Magna Carta 1087-1216 (paperback - £2) PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE Domesday Re-Bound (pamphlet - £1.50) PROTHERO Christopher Medieval Military Dress: 1066-1500 (£5) PROTHERO Christopher The Armies of Agincourt (paperback - £3) PROTHERO Christopher The Armies of Crecy and Poitiers (paperback - £3) ROWSE AL The Use of History (paperback - £1) ROWSE AL The Elizabeth Renaissance: The Cultural Achievement (paperback - £1.50) SALGADO Gamini The Elizabethan Underworld (£4) SCHOONOVER Lawrence The Spider King (£3) SMURTHWAITE David The Ordnance Survey Complete Guide to the Battlefields of Britain (large book - £5) TULL George F Traces of the Templars (paperback - £4.50) WILKINSON B The Later Middle Ages in England, 1216-1485 (paperback - £2.50) WILSON Derek England in the Age of Thomas More (£4) WISE Terence Medieval European Armies (paperback - £3) WOLFFE BP The Crown Lands 1461-1536 (paperback - £2.50) WOOD Margaret The English Mediaeval House (large book - £7) WOODS William England in the Age of Chaucer (£3.50)

General Non-Fiction ALEXANDER Marc British Folklore, Myths and Legends (large book - £5) HOLE Christina British Folk Customs (£3.50) LACEY Robert Majesty, Elizabeth II and the House of Windsor (£2) MORRISON Elspeth The Dorothy Dunnett Companion (£5) PEVSNER Nikolaus The Buildings of England: North Somerset and Bristol (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus (revised by Enid Radcliffe) The Buildings of England: Yorkshire West Rid- ing (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus (revised by Elizabeth Williamson) The Buildings of England: Leicester- shire and Rutlund (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus & John Newman The Buildings of England: Dorset (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus (revised by Enid Radcliffe) The Buildings of England: Yorkshire West Rid- ing (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus (ed) David Verey The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire: The Cots- wolds (£10) PEVSNER Nikolaus (revised by Enid Radcliffe) The Buildings of England: Yorkshire West Rid- ing (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus & Jennifer Sherwood The Buildings of England: Oxfordshire (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus & Alexandra Wedgwood The Buildings of England: Warwickshire (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus The Buildings of England: Cambridgeshire (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus (revised by Elizabeth Williamson) The Buildings of England: Derbyshire (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus The Buildings of England: Yorkshire: York & The East Riding (£12) PEVSNER Nikolaus (revised by Bridget Cherry) The Buildings of England: Wiltshire (£12) SHARP Mick Holy Places of Celtic Britain (large book - £5)

Historical Fiction (hardbacks - fair condition unless otherwise stated) AINSWORTH William Harrison The Tower of London - re: Lady Jane Grey (£1) CAMPBELL-BARNES Margaret The Passionate Brood (£1) CHAUCER Geoffrey The Canterbury Tales - illustrated edition, good condition (£4) ECKERSON Olive My Lord Essex (£1) EDWARDS Rhoda Some Touch of Pity (£1.50) GLENNE Michael King Harry's Sister: Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland (£1) GRAVES Robert Goodbye to All That (£1) HONEYMAN Brenda Good Duke Humphrey (£1) HARDWICK Mollie Blood Royal - re the Boleyn Family (£1) HARROD-EAGLES Cynthia Morland Dynasty 1: The Founding (£1.50) HAWLEY-JARMAN Rosemary We Speak No Treason (£1) HAWLEY-JARMAN Rosemary The King's Grey Mare - 2 copies (£1 each) HAWLEY-JARMAN Rosemary Crown in Candlelight - good condition (£2) HAWLEY-JARMAN Rosemary The Courts of Illusion - good condition (£2) IRWIN Margaret Young Bess (£1) NEVILLE Katherine The Eight - historical puzzle/mystery (£2) PENMAN Sharon K The Sunne in Splendour - good condition (£3.50) PLAIDY Jean The Reluctant Queen (Anne Neville) - good condition (£2) SHAKESPEARE William Richard III (£1) SHAKESPEARE William Richard III (paperback - £1) SUTCLIFFE Rosemary Lady in Waiting - set in the Civil War (£1.50) WHEATLEY Dennis The Man who killed a King - set in the French Revolution (£1) YORK Elizabeth The Heir of Berkwell - set in the Wars of the Roses (£1)

Historical Fiction (paperbacks - all in fair condition unless otherwise stated) CARLETON Patrick Under the Hog (£2) ERSKINE Barbara Lady of Hay (£1.50) HAWLEY-JARMAN Rosemary We Speak No Treason Vols 1 & 2 (£1) PENMAN Sharon The Queen's Man - set in the Crusades (£1.50) TEY Josephine The Daughter of Time - 2 copies (£1.50 & £1)

Edward IV Set: Julie Hamilton Son of York / Jean Plaidy The Goldsmith's Wife - good condition (£2) Richard III Set: Rhoda Edwards The Broken Sword (Some Touch of Pity)/Rosemary Hawley- Jarman We Speak No Treason/ Marion Palmer The White Boar (£2) Henry VII Set: Margaret Campbell Barnes The Tudor Rose/Rosemary Hawley-Jarman The Courts of Illusion/Marion Palmer The Wrong Plantagenet (£2) Tudor Set: Margaret Campbell Barnes My Lady of Cleves/Betty King The Rose both Red and White/Maureen Peters Katheryn, The Wanton Queen/Jean Plaidy Gay Lord Robert/Jean Plaidy Royal Road to Fotheringhay (£4) Medieval Set #1: Maurice Druon The Royal Succession (14th C France)/Georgette Heyer My Lord John/Jean Plaidy The Passionate Enemies (Mathilda & Stephen)/Charles Reade The Clois- ter and the Hearth (Erasmus' father) (£2.50) Medieval Set #2: Margaret Campbell Barnes Within the Hollow Crown (Richard II)/Edith Par- geter A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury/Maureen Peters Joan of the Lilies (£2) Good luck! Jane Trump, Society Librarian

Audio Visual Library The undoubted highlight of the past quarter was Channel 4 TV’s two-hour drama-documentary, rather misleadingly entitled The Princes in the Tower, as it was ostensibly about the interrogation of Perkin Warbeck. Splendidly acted and costumed, with atmospheric music and settings, it has doubtless been the subject of much discussion and debate in the intervening weeks since trans- mission and is fully covered elsewhere in this issue. For anyone keen to compare this latest version, sometimes venturing into the ‘horror-gothic’ genre, with more sedate previous productions on the subject, the Library has an extensive selection. John Ford’s 1634 classic play in two radio adaptations: (1) abridged for the 1977 Vivat Rex series (narrated by Richard Burton) with Ronald Pickup (Henry VII) and John Stride (Warbeck) and (2) a fuller version, broadcast in 1969 withCharles Grey (Henry) and Barrie Inglum (Warbeck). Also that year, BBC TV broadcast its ‘one-off’ pilot The Innocent where James Maxwell first played Henry, to Colin Redgrave’s War- beck, which was followed in 1971 by the 13-part Shadow of the Tower series, with Maxwell re- peating his role as the first Tudor and Richard Warnick starred in the Warbeck episodes. In 1975 the RSC at Stratford staged a small-scale production of the Ford play (in tandem with Ian Rich- ardson's Richard III) which had Tony Church as Henry and Terence Wilton (Warbeck). By the time this report appears, I hope to have located a copy of the text of one of the earliest modern plays, a ‘verse drama’ by Christopher Hassell, originally broadcast in 1954 under the title The Player King. The cast included Max Adrian as Henry, Caroline Lacey as Margaret of Burgundy and John Laurie as James IV! (This will be available from Rebekah Beale, the Papers Librari- an), Finally in June this year on Channel 5 TV's Britain's Greatest Monarch, we saw the unlikely inclusion of Richard III amongst the candidates with our own 21st Century ‘William Cornwallis’', Anne Sutton, having the unenviable task of 'defending the indefensible'. Although managing to state her case eloquently in the shortest allotted time available and impressing a couple of the judges, it was a foregone conclusion that, up against the likes of Edward I, Henry V, Henry VIII and the eventual winner, Elizabeth I, Richard's score would be negligible. 48

Booklist

A service to members from the Editor detailing fiction and non-fiction historical books that have recently been published or will be published in the near future. 2005 Barber, Richard, ‘The Reign of Chivalry’, Boydell Press, £20.00, September 2005 Barron, Caroline, ‘London in the later middle ages: government and people, 1200-1500’, Ox- ford University Press, pbk., £24.95, July 2005 Bennett, Matthew et al, ‘Fighting techniques of the medieval world, AD 500-1500’, Spell- mount, £20.00, October 2005 Borchert, Till-Holger & Ainsworth, Maryan W. (Eds)., ‘Memling and the art of portraiture’, Thames and Hudson, £29.55, April 2005 Cheetham, Francis, ‘English Medieval Alabasters’, Boydell Press, £90.00, November 2005 (includes catalogue of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection) Corus, Thomas, ‘A companion to medieval English literature and culture’, Blackwell History of Literature Series, Blackwell, £75.00, November 2005 Cunningham, Sean, ‘Henry VII’, Routledge, £45.00, November 2005 (‘examines how he ran his government and maintained his authority’) Denery, Dallas G. ‘Seeing and being seen in the later medieval world: optics, theology and religious life’, Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought, 4th Ser., Cambridge University Press, £45.00, April 2005 Emery, Anthony, ‘Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales, 1300-1500’, Volume 3, Southern England, Cambridge University Press, November 2005, £150.00 Frazer, Margaret, ‘The Outlaw’s Tale’, Robert Hale, £18.99, August 2005 Frazer, Margaret, ‘The Bishop’s Tale’, Robert Hale, £17.99, December 2005 (Crime fiction: Sister Frevisse detects) Frick, Carole Collier, ‘Dressing Renaissance Florence: families, fortunes and fine clothing’, Johns Hopkins University Press, distrib. Wiley, pbk., £16.50, Autumn 2005 Graeme-Evans, Posie, ‘The Exiled’, Hodder, pbk., £6.99, October 2005 Gregory, Philippa, ‘The Constant Princess’, HarperCollins, £17.99, November 2005 (Historical fiction: early life of Catherine of Aragon). Hardyment, Christina, ‘Malory’, HarperCollins, £25.00, August 2005 (‘in this exhaustive biography we learn how Malory wrote from cattle rustling to rape’) Jecks, Michael, ‘The Butcher of St Peter’s’, Headline, pbk., December 2005, £6.99 (Crime fiction: medieval mystery series) Jotischkey, Andrew & Hall, Caroline, ‘Penguin Historical Atlas of the Medieval World’, Pen- guin, pbk., £12.99, April 2005 Kaspersen, Soren & Thuno, Erik [Eds.], ‘Decorating the Lord’s Table: on the dynamics between image and altar in the early and high middle ages’, Museum Tusculanum Press, £25.00, November 2005, (investigates altar decorations in medieval Europe) Meek, C. & Lawless, C. [Eds.], ‘Studies on Medieval and Early Modern Women: Victims or Viragos? ‘, Four Courts Press, £45.00, pbk., £29.95, August 2005 Morgan, Philippa, ‘Chaucer and Legend of Good Women’, Constable, £16.99, August 2005 (Crime fiction: Chaucer travels to Florence to collect a loan on behalf of the king) O’Keeffe, Tadhg, ‘Castles in Britain and Ireland’, Longman, £19.99, November 2005 (‘a look at the role and workings of castles in medieval times’) Parks, Tim, ‘Medici Money: Banking, metaphysics and art in 15th century Florence’, Profile Business, £15.99, June 2005 Parshall, Peter & Schoch, Rainer, ‘The origin of European print-making: 15th century wood- cuts and their public’, Yale University Press, £40.00, October 2005 49

Parsons, Richard, ‘KS3 Shakespeare: Richard III’, KS3 Shakespeare Text Guide Series, CGP, pbk., £4.50, September 2005 Poeschke, Joachim, ‘Italian Frescoes: the age of Giotto, 1280-1400’, Abbeville, £75.00, Octo- ber 2005 (‘large format and beautifully illustrated .. detailed close-ups, accompanied by an authoritative text’) Pounds, Norman, ‘The medieval city’, Greenwood Guides to Historic Events of the Medieval World Ser., Greenwood Pub. Group, £25.99, April 2005 Roth, Norman, ‘Daily life of the Jews in the Middle Ages’, Greenwood Press, £28.99, August 2005 Smith, Robert Douglas & De Vries, Kelly, [Eds.], ‘The artillery of the Dukes of Burgundy, 1363-1477’, Boydell Press, £45.00, October 2005 Strong, Roy, ‘Coronation: a history of kingship and the British Monarchy’, HarperCollins, £25.00, October 2005 (‘sets each royal coronation in its political, social and religious context’) Sutton, Anne F. ‘The Mercery of London, Trade, Goods and People, 1130-1578’, Ashgate, £75.00, November 2005 (‘analysis of the Mercers Company in the medieval city’)his great work while in and out of prison for crimes ranging

Book Review

MOONLIGHT AND SHADOW BY ISOLDE MARTYN

he book features Heloise Ballaster, desperately want it back. It is proposed that T daughter of Sir Dudley Ballaster, a Sir Dudley and Sir Miles fight a duel for the Yorkist supporter and a man made rich estate but Sir Dudley has no intention of through the Wars of the Roses, and Sir Miles fighting in person and his proposed champion Rushden, from an old Lancastrian family, and is so drunk he is incapable of doing so. This friend to Henry Stafford, Duke of Bucking- leads to Heloise donning armour and fighting ham. the duel herself to save the family honour. The book opens in January 1483 and Hel- In this novel, in contrast to many romantic oise is a maid in waiting to Anne Neville, novels, it is Miles Rushden who is kidnapped Duchess of Gloucester, at Middleham Castle. by Sir Dudley Ballaster and held captive until However, she is soon summoned home to he marries Heloise. Miles escapes back to Bramley Castle. An uncle of Sir Miles Brecknock Castle in Wales, with the marriage Rushden left the castle to Sir Dudley instead unconsummated, in the hope of obtaining an of to the Rushden family and the Rushdens annulment. Heloise follows him to Brecknock to escape the anger of her father. At Breck- nock she is first mistaken for Lady Haute who is expected to arrive at the castle to become the new governess to Edward Lord Stafford, son and heir to the Duke of Buckingham, so she decides to take on her persona until Miles returns to the castle with the duke. From here on Heloise and Miles are swept along with the intrigue and plotting that follows the death of Edward IV in April 1483. With Miles closely associated with Buckingham, and Heloise with the household of the Duke of Gloucester,they are both closely involved as the situation develops from April to Novem- ber 1483. This book transports you back into the fifteenth century with its very accurate description of the period. The book is a very entertaining read although there might be a little too much sex for some readers. Unfortunately the book has not been published in the UK, but it is available in Austral- ia and the USA, and from www.amazon.com. It is also available to be borrowed from the Barton Fiction Library. ISBN 0-425-18608-3 Anne Painter

Letter from America

The American Branch Ricardian Tour, 2005

am Butler writes: Meeting friendly and helpful Ricardians from the UK was a major high- P light of the 2005 American Ricardian Tour, which took place June 18th – 29th under the guidance of tour coordinator Linda Treybig. First on the itinerary was the Lake District, and we briefly met John and Marjorie Smith of the Cumbria Group at our Edenhall hotel on the evening of our arrival. Marjorie, along with fellow members Norma and Linda, gave us a tour of Penrith Castle the next morning, while in- forming us of its history. Penrith Castle began as a pele tower, a defensive structure of the thir- teenth and fourteenth centuries to protect residents against Scottish border raids. People lived in the upper storeys while cattle were kept in the undercroft, and stairways to the upper storeys could be pulled away in times of attack. Penrith burned down three times in the fourteenth century; towards the end of the century, William Strickland, eventual Bishop of Carlisle and Archbish- op of Canterbury, added walls and asked for permission to crenellate them. Improvements and additions continued thereafter for several decades, until Richard, as Duke of Gloucester, had the banqueting hall constructed. Penrith Castle fell into disuse and disrepair after his death. John and Marjorie showed us the nearby St Andrews Church. The present structure, built in 1720, is the third one to have been built on the site. Medieval windows which had been partially saved from previous fires were reincorporated into the new windows, including a famous Neville window in the church. The Nevilles had had the advowson and thereby had been able to choose the priests. The churchyard is famous for two graves: one is the Giant’s Grave, which has two 11 -ft. high stone crosses and four hogback stones in-between them; the other is a Saxon wheel cross. Owen Caesarius, a tenth-century king, is believed to be buried here. Following this, we were taken to the Gloucester Arms pub. The structure dates back to the fifteenth century and was supposed to have been the place where Richard stayed in town while castle improvements were under way. Richard’s arms are displayed above the entry door, along with a sign which says, ‘According to tradition, the Residence, c. 1471, of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, King Richard III, 1483-85’. Tour members were treated to a look at the room upstairs where Richard may have slept. Our group visit finished its visit with the Cumbria Group by having lunch at the King’s Arms Pub a short bus ride away. On June 24th, we met Yorkshire Branch members John Audsley, Mary O’Regan, and Moira Habberjam at the monument (alongside road B1217) which commemorates the Battle of Towton. The pastoral setting provides no evidence of its past violent history. John Audsley added some roses to those already in place, then led tour members to the Cock Beck area where so many Lan- castrians were drowned while retreating from the battlefield. Following that, we stopped momen- tarily by Saxton Church and the tomb of Lord Dacre en route to see Lead Chapel, where Moira Habberjam talked about the history of this small edifice. Afterwards, we all had lunch at the nearby Crooked Billet. Only one of our tour members ordered a full Yorkshire Pudding entree, although two tried smaller portions. We met all three Yorkshire members again on the following day, June 25th, at Middle- ham Castle. John gave a guided tour, pointing out the motte-and-bailey area of the previous castle, as well as architectural features of the present ruin. Roof lines incorporated into the walls revealed the some of the pattern of enlargement of the castle over the years. Mary O’Regan accompanied us and provided many insights as well. After seeing.the castle and St Alkelda Church, we had lunch at the tea shop near Jervaulx Abbey. Many took the opportunity to order products made from Wensleydale cheese. Moira persuaded a number of American Branch mem-

bers to join the Yorkshire Branch and to buy some past issues of the Blanc Sanglier. John Audsley, heroically, met us for a third day at Sandal Castle to tell us its history. Entry is free, and an interpretative centre has been in place since 2002; it includes a gift shop. Sandal Castle retains its motte-and-bailey structure with a D-shaped barbican. Bridges allow visitors to cross the moats, and a set of steps goes to the top of the very high motte. It is easy to visualise the 1460 Battle of Wakefield from that perspective. Since the excavation was finished in the early 1970s, grass has regrown, giving it a park-like look John also pointed out a memorial to the Duke of York in a schoolyard a short distance away. Juliet Wilson met us at Fotheringhay Church on June 28th and told us some of its history. She pointed out figures on the exterior of the building, and talked inside about the changes to the church over the years. Interestingly, the west side doors were open to the outside. The group met John Ashdown-Hill on June 29th in Cambridge on Silver Street, near the An- chor Pub and the punting-boat rental area. He first took us to see Queens’ College, which was closed, but he told us a little of its history. When it was first founded by Margaret of Anjou, it was Queen’s College, but after refounding by Elizabeth Woodville, it was Queens’ College (the plural sense moving the apostrophe). He took us by Corpus Christi College, at which we could only get a glimpse, but we learned that its ‘Parker Library’ has one of the world’s most extensive collections of medieval manuscripts, and that John has found many treasured documents here. Continuing north to a church known as St Botolph’s, we learned that prayers for Richard’s soul which had been said here during his lifetime continued for a long time after his death, well into the Tudor era. We continued on to the ‘Gate of Honour’ of Gonville and Caius College, which was founded in 1348, making it the fourth oldest of the surviving colleges. From there, we proceeded to Trini- ty College, with the statue of its founder, Henry VIII on the front entryway. Just north of that is St John’s College, ‘founded’ on the site of the medieval Hospital of St John by Margaret Beau- fort in 1511, two years after her death. In most cases, the ‘founding’ of colleges was based on the takeover of an existing institution, with subsequent funding to pursue another purpose and glorify a new ‘founder’. Much of the work in founding St John’s was done by John Fisher, Mar- garet’s confessor, who worked to get the necessary approvals and to get the funding from Mar- garet’s estate. Time constraints prevented us from going inside King’s College Chapel, but many of us hope to return to Cambridge to see anything which we missed. After the tour finished in London, we met Wendy Moorhen and Jane Trump in the lobby of our Bayswater hotel; we walked through the area in search of pub, finally settling on a vegetarian venue. We enjoyed this visit, and were thrilled to learn of some of the future plans for the Parent Society. We’d like to close with the 2005 verse from Jane Munsie of the Illinois Chaper, which she read at our last dinner, now an established tradition.

We arrived in England to begin our tour - Abbeys, Cathedrals - and I’m sure that I missed From ‘round the US, all fans of the White some! Boar! And who can forget Bosworth Field Spread o’er 12 days and incredible nights, Where the saga of Richard became truly real. We went searching for Richard at various Many such places we were thrilled to see sights! As we journeyed with Linda and the Richard Middleham Castle, Levins Hall - IIIs! Castle Bolton - and that’s far from all! All too soon, it has come to an end - Penrith, Fotheringhay and Warkworth, too - As we say farewell to our new English friends. Castle Rising as well - so much to do … We hope to see them all once again - We remembered our King at Sutton Cheyney - Perhaps in Chicago at the AGM! The one day in 12, then Sandal and Skipton -

The 2005 Australian Richard III Society Conference

t was a modest but dedicated group of Ricardians who gathered for the biennial conference of I the Australian and New Zealand Branches from July 15 – 17, 2005 at Sydeny University, New South Wales. Many of the participants had travelled great distances to take part, such as flying across the Tasman Sea or driving for twelve hours or more. Friday evening saw delegates meet at the college venue (suitably decorated with portrait of Richard, white roses and display boards of matters Ricardian) before heading for the nearby Peasants’ Feast restaurant and some delicious food (not turnip soup as some feared!) and good wine, before returning to view Tony Robinson’s programme Richard III – Fact or Fiction (thanks to Geoffrey Wheeler for supplying us with the video). The conference proper commenced on Saturday morning and, to give us all an overview of the subject, our Ricardian brains were warmed up by a challenging quiz. For the next two days we were then entertained by talks on heraldry, the origins of the Wars of the Roses, battle statis- tics, medieval crimes, the fate of survivors, turning history into fiction and portraits of some of the main players of the period. There was extensive, lively discussion about the particular problems faced by the Australasian Branches of the Society. The local Branches boast a number of members keen on dramatic art. Not only are they keen, but also very talented! Throughout the weekend we were entertained by dramatic portrayals of the period, some with a basis in fact, others – well, not so … Who would have thought that in a performance where the audience was able to choose who inherited the Crown of England by vot- ing off those they deemed unsuitable in true TV’s Big Brother style that Mistress Jane Shore should be the eventual winner! On Saturday night we gathered for our banquet, but first candles were lit to represent each Branch and Group of The Richard III Society, including one for individual members. In this way, a ritual at all our conferences, we are linked to Ricardians worldwide. Toasts were drunk to The Queen, our patron The Duke of Gloucester, King Richard III and the Richard III Society, the wine being a Battle of Bosworth shiraz from South Australia, something the NSW Branch knew they had to provide, especially when we learned the manager of the wine outlet was called Rich- ard. Rather late in the evening, when sleep should have been a priority, a never-say-die group of revellers descended on the Star City Casino in the heart of Sydney. Tragically (actually deliberately in the hope of attracting publicity for our cause – never let a chance go by, we say), we were still in costume and that was all too much for security at Star City. We were refused entrance because it seems that men in tights and wearing dresses and women in beautiful gowns and headdresses are persona non grata ! But our archbishop in his splendid robes was able to en- tertain many other visitors to the Casino who seemed much more taken by us than the management. Surprisingly, the conference was able to resume right on time the next day. Plans are under way for the next conference in 2007. The tyranny of distance obviously plays a role for branches of the Richard III Society on the other side of the world from where it origi- nated. But loyal Australasian admirers of King Richard are determined to enjoy the company of the members of other branches and have the opportunity to learn more about his life and times. So here’s to the next time.

Helen Portus and Julia Redlich, Sydney NSW Branch

Queens’ College Exhibition

This is the Grant to the College by Richard of Gloucester of the manor of Fowlmere, 1477. Reproduced by kind permission of Queens’ College.

If any members would like photographs of the three documents on display at the recent conference these are available from the librarian at a cost of £11.70 for the three including VAT, P&P. Please write to Mrs Karen Begg, Queens’ College, Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9ET. Cheques payable to Queens’ College.

Report on Society Events

Colchester Visit Saturday 4 June 2005 We met at the rather splendid war memorial at the Castle Park in Colchester. After a brief intro- ductory talk, in which he pointed out All Saints Church, one of the few surviving medieval churches of Colchester (albeit heavily restored), John Ashdown-Hill led us east along the High Street towards East Hill. Here we paused at Greyfriars College, where once stood the Priory of the (Franciscan) Grey Friars. Close by stands the church of St. James the Great, one of whose curates, John Ball, was a leader of the Peasants’ Revolt. To the immediate east of the church once stood the East Gate through which the young Richard, duke of Gloucester, would have passed following his visit to Colchester in the mid 1460s. Crossing the busy road we walked to the Minories: never a convent, as the name implies, but an eighteenth-century private house that is now a visitor centre. We stopped briefly in the garden to see the folly, an open fronted summer house, partly constructed using various pieces of medieval masonry; some perhaps from the ruined priory. Walking via Priory Street we arrived at the modern entrance to St Botolph’s Priory, once an important house of the Augustinian Canons Regular. The Norman nave, used as a parish church, survived the dissolution, only to be destroyed in the Civil War. The parish remained without a church until the ‘new’ St Botolph’s was built in the nineteenth century. A sudden downpour hurried us through the area, just outside the walls, that in the middle ages housed the brothels. Ascending some steps, and back inside the walls, we headed towards the Red Lion hotel, part of the house once owned by Sir John Howard, duke of Norfolk. We shel- tered in Lion Walk from the rain. From here can be seen parts of Sir John’s late-fifteenth-century house. Our final destination before lunch was to visit Tymperleys, a fine fifteenth-century timber- framed house which now houses the Clock Museum. On our way we stopped to admire the Sax- on tower of Holy Trinity Church. After lunch we assembled in front of St John’s Abbey gatehouse where Philip Wise, Curator of Archaeology at the Castle Museum, told us of its history. Through this gate Francis, Viscount Lovell, rode into sanctuary following the battle of Bosworth. Following the dissolution the abbey became the property of the Royalist Lucas family and was besieged during the civil war. The abbey suffered greatly. Today only the gatehouse and part of the adjoining wall remain. We mounted the spiral staircase to the room above the gate where Philip continued his talk. Via Scheregate Steps, and Colchester’s only surviving medieval town gate, we went to the Castle Museum. Here Philip gave a more detailed history of some museum exhibits whilst John showed a selection of seal impressions. One from a seal of Edward IV, later, with a change of name, was used by Richard III. We then all had time to wander freely in the museum before going our separate ways. For a small number of us the day was not over. At Stratford St Mary church John, and seven choir members, gave a one hour concert of plainchant. John, suffering from a bad cold, did a wonderful job as cantor with much support from the choir and all are to be applauded. Elizabeth Nokes handed a cheque to Mark Lockett, Chairman of the Friends of Stratford St Mary church, and read a short note from our chairman. The cheque, for £500.00, is a Ricardian Churches Res- toration Fund donation towards the renovation of the ‘De La Pole’ window in the church. An interesting, informative and entertaining day was had by all. Dave Perry

RCRF cheque presentation by Elizabeth Nokes to Mark Lockett, on behalf of the Friends of Stratford St Mary Church, 4 June 2005

Unfamiliar Hertford and Stately Hatfield It is probably a surprise to most people that Hertford has a castle: you can easily miss it, tucked away behind the High Street. The castle grew from Saxon earthworks, designed to resist the Danes, and became a royal fortress and residence after the Norman Conquest. A tree-clad mound is all that remains of the original Norman motte and bailey. It was quite a substantial building in 1485, because King Richard III inspected it on 1 March of that year. Some thirty Ricardians were doing just that on 21 May 2005, although a sudden deluge brought about a quick change of plan and we found ourselves ensconced in the grand setting of the Bridal Chamber for a talk instead of a tour around the site. The castle had been upgraded and extended by various monarchs, including Edward IV who built a fine towered gatehouse. This was the castle’s chief defence and protected the royal lodg- ings in the inner bailey, and is all that remains, minus towers, along with some sections of curtain wall. It is still possible to decipher Edward’s arms on the wall above a Georgian porch, although time, weather and a rampant wisteria have almost obliterated it. Restoration work in 1972 revealed that Edward IV’s work in the form of stonework and brick-and-timber screens had merely been hidden, not destroyed as thought when the Marquis of Downshire modernised the gatehouse in the reign of George III. This can be seen in the present day Council Chamber. Famous tenants of Hertford Castle include Queen Isabella (mother of Edward III) and John of Gaunt. Here Edward III imprisoned King John of France and King David II of Scotland, and 57

Queen Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood. James I was not keen on the place and gave it to his son, the future Charles I, who in turn granted it to William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Salisbury, whose descendants own it to this day. The tour ended with a visit to the dungeons to see the Town’s silverware safely stored in one cell and a vampire safely staked in the next. After lunch, a short coach ride took us to Hatfield House, home of the Marquess of Salisbury. Although many people associate Hatfield with Queen Elizabeth I who was in residence when news of her sister’s death reached her, she would not have known today’s house. The Old Palace was designed in the shape of a quadrangle, built of russet brick, and completed in 1497 by the Bishop of Ely (one John Morton). At the Dissolution, being church property, it was seized by King Henry VIII, who used it to exile his children away from the dangers of the Court. Hatfield came into the possession of the Cecil family through King James I, who had inherited Hatfield but much preferred Theobalds, a grander house owned by the 1st Earl of Salisbury, and residences were duly swapped. Hatfield has remained in the Cecil family ever since. The 1st Earl demolished most of the Old Palace, recycling its bricks to build the present house between 1607 and 1612 at a cost of at least £38,000. The Banqueting Hall is all that remains of the older house. Once inside, a real splendour is encountered almost immediately on entering the Marble Hall, wood lined and lofty, complete with carved screen and minstrel gallery. Simon Jenkins in ‘England’s 1000 Best Houses’ calls it ‘a glowing edifice’. It was completed in 1612 and has never been altered. On view are two famous portraits of Elizabeth I, the Ermine Portrait by Nicholas Hilliard and the Rainbow Portrait, in which Elizabeth wears a dress covered with eyes and ears and her hand is resting on the rainbow of peace. Elizabeth I forgot to pack her hat, gloves and stockings after her last visit and these are now on show. You leave the hall via the Grand Staircase, passing a painting of a white horse, reputedly the one that Elizabeth rode to review her troops at Tilbury whilst awaiting the Armada. Then into the King James Drawing Room which has a ceiling of white and gilt panels and a painted statue of James I enhancing the fireplace; to the Long Gallery with its ceiling of gold leaf, which runs the length of the south front. The library has a mosaic portrait of the 1st Earl of Salisbury, which is said to be a perfect likeness. Referring to Jenkins again: ‘. . . not so much of a tour round a great house as of a sustained coup de theatre’. The gardens, originally laid out by John Tradescant the Elder, who travelled throughout Eu- rope to bring back new plants especially for Hatfield, were fresh and fragrant after the morning’s rain and a ramble around them (followed by tea, of course) ended an enjoyable day. Our grateful thanks to Carolyn West for suggesting the visit and making all the arrangements. Marian Mitchell Cambridge Illuminations On Saturday 30 July a small group of Ricardians met at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge for the exhibition Cambridge Illuminations. This is based around the newly acquired Maccles- field Psalter, but includes a host of other good things — far more than we had realised (or had really allowed time for). At the entrance to the Fitzwilliam we were met by Society member Martin Allen, who works at the museum. Martin began by taking us to the Rothschild Gallery, where he commented on some particularly choice exhibits: an important fourteenth century coin hoard from Cambridge, the seal of the prioress of St Radegund from just outside the city (a metal detector find), and the great hearse pall of Elizabeth of York, later reused (Tudor economy?) for Henry VII, and usually known now under his name. We then went upstairs and began our visit to the manuscript exhibition. There are three rooms, all filled with wonderful things. The first two contain manuscripts from various Cam- bridge collections. To concentrate just on the fifteenth century exhibits, we saw Books of Hours 58

belonging to Elizabeth of Lancaster (sister of Henry IV), Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgun- dy, and Lady Margaret Beaufort. There was also a missal of Anne of Gloucester, daughter of Thomas of Woodstock, and ancestress of the duke of Buckingham and of Cardinal Bourchier. In the Macclesfield Psalter room we saw many folios from the psalter, which is currently un- bound. Particularly delightful were the huge skate leering at a very little man; the various activities of the rabbits, including a dramatic joust and a sad little funeral procession; a fox doctor ex- amining the urine sample of a patient; and the hybrid beasts. The exhibition included details of how manuscripts were produced, illuminated and bound. On the way from (or to) the railway station, a number of members also managed to call in at the church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs, a very fine gothic revival building which houses the fifteenth century wooden image of the Virgin which was once enshrined in the city’s pre- Reformation Dominican Friary. The church is also interesting from a Ricardian point of view because prominent amongst the saints in its stained glass is Blessed Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, the daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, and the niece of Richard III. All in all we had a most enjoyable afternoon, but we all agreed that we really needed more time for the Cambridge Illuminations exhibition. Many thanks to Martin Allen for meeting us and setting us on our way. If you haven’t yet seen Cambridge Illuminations, do your best not to miss it! John Ashdown-Hill

NB Linked to the exhibition Cambridge Illuminations, there will be an East Anglian Medieval Art Study Day at the Department of History of Art, Cambridge University, on Saturday 10 Sep- tember. This is open to all, free of charge. For further details, please contact Paul Binski [[email protected]] or T.A Heslop [[email protected]]

In Commemoration of Joyce Melhuish

las, memory is now fading, as we all find with advancing years, and though my memory A of Joyce is still vivid I have no recollection of how she first made contact with us, though I vaguely believe it was through the writer Audrey Williamson. At any rate, she rang up and we soon met, when she must have recognised at an early date that I was hopelessly inadequate to be Secretary of the Society, and Joyce was the greatest help to me from the start. Of course our main aim at that time was Ricardian memorials, which we always seemed to work on together. It was fortunate that I was working at that time for Mr Sebastian Comper, son of his much better known father, Sir Ninian Comper, who had already done some work in Westminster Abbey, which led to the Anne Neville memorial, for which Joyce supplied the inscription and I laid out the lettering, and which was unveiled by the Marquess of Abergaven- ny as head of the Neville family. Then came of course the Visits, with Joyce leading us to foreign parts particularly associated with the Plantagenets. She and I shared a room and I vividly remember being awakened by the rustling of French currency destined for French guides later that day. For our next trip abroad Joyce was well provided with the requirements of early morning tea, which she made in a kettle, and which was voted delicious by those partaking of it. We collaborated too on the Middleham Frontal, when Joyce made machine embroidery history by placing the gold lamé lettering behind and showing through the overhanging frontlet. It was acknowledged by the then rector without once mentioning Richard III! It was nice to

think that the stained glass window of Richard and Anne and the prince linked us with the beginning of the Society. To conclude a brief and most inadequate account of Joyce I would like to mention the coronation year of Richard – 1983, when I broke my left wrist, and Joyce most skilfully copied, at Mid- dleham, Richard’s signature, on my plaster cast! And I remember in writing a sort of obituary of one of the greatest Ricardian workers, that we shared to a striking degree the same sense of humour. Isolde Wigram

Joyce Melhuish - Fotheringhay and fund-raising How can one sum up Joyce Melhuish in a few words? The answer is that one cannot; one has to be very selective. As one of several writing about her, I will just stick to Fotheringhay and fund- raising. Joyce’s connections with Fotheringhay began a long time ago. It was she who carried the chapel project through to completion, the dedication of the Chapel of All Souls in 1983 being the culmination of many years of organising and hard work and, of course, fund-raising. Where else but Fotheringhay could we have held her memorial service? My involvement began when I made the mistake of showing Joyce some half cross stitch embroidery I had done using Ricardian motifs. ‘Well’, she said, ‘you can make the altar frontal for the new chapel’. (Not, ‘Would you make ...?’, it must be noted.) As it happened, that project was not to be, but we were soon collaborating on kneelers instead, with me designing and Joyce organising the work force. They were interesting days; none more so than when Joyce had a new idea for a theme for the kneelers. Well, can you think of a motif for ‘the meek and humble men’ from the Benedicite? (Now just a rhetorical question, by the way!) Fotheringhay meant fund-raising and fund-raising meant craft sales. For years, nearly every weekend from late summer until Christmas, Joyce, Elizabeth and I would travel to a variety of venues, cars packed with an even bigger variety of stock. Church halls, churches, tents, village halls, stalls in the open, shopping malls, the Fairfield Halls, nowhere was safe from us, and of course, Joyce did not stop there. If there was no suitable sale available, she organised her own. Elizabeth and I have many a not so fond memory of being stuck in a kitchen in a house in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral. At least we were not in costume! The stock for these sales was mostly hand made, and much of it made by Joyce. Tissue boxes, waste paper bins, jewellery boxes - you name it, if Joyce could cover it in fabric, she did, and we went on to sell it. Sometimes we wondered how, but no one will forget Joyce’s dolls. Making them, especially William the Conqueror’s helmet made of papier maché modelled on an egg, and Charles II’s knitted wig, had to be seen to be believed, and having watched Joyce force a pair of hand-stitched tight leather trousers on to an ‘action man’ in preparation for him becoming Lord Nelson, I can only say, thank God, she is not around for the commemoration of Trafalgar! To have known Joyce was a privilege, even if we couldn’t see that at the time. She will be missed for a while yet. Phil Stone

Joyce Remembered I first met Joyce in a graveyard in Kent. To me in those early days, Joyce and Isolde Wigram were the Richard III Society. Soon she had me involved. At an AGM Joyce was in her usual way getting uptight so I offered to man the reception, a job Roy and I and later the Croydon Group did for many years. There were first the quick footsteps and then the losing of the car keys and her temper. We all waited for the storm to settle. It always did. In Amboise a very snooty guide said to her ‘I will translate for your party’. Back came our

Joyce: ‘You tell me and I will translate’. Again in France, I was unwell. Joyce arranged for me to visit the rest room of the next service station speaking of course fluent French. Someone un- wisely also got off the coach and was told to get back: only Shirley is allowed. At the Tower with the Warders standing almost to attention she and I working and measuring out if Clarence was fully immersed in the butt of Malmsey. The answer is no, the doorway is too narrow to have said butt in the room. So he was dunked. Joyce at craft sales – the venue at one time was at a school for handicapped children. ‘We won’t be coming here again. I can’t stand the strain on the parents’ faces’. At Joyce’s funeral .. they finished up with ‘Hail the Conquering Hero comes’ by Handel: how fitting. I am sure that the Heavenly Host are now very well organised and Richard is feeling a little shattered. I still miss her. Shirley Linsell

Joyce Melhuish … At Easter this year during Holy Week I took the pilgrim road to Compostela. Not on foot, I has- ten to add, but by car, and I thought of Joyce Melhuish. She had wanted so much to take us to Compostela. She had done the trip herself by coach staying at the paradors en route. However it was not possible for us. Joyce would not fly and we were all reluctant to go by sea round the Bay of Biscay. To go by coach meant an extraordinary change-over at the border between France and Spain, so it remained something she really wanted to do with us but never managed to. From that moment many years ago at a London Branch meeting at Church House that she thought she would like to take us to Bruges that year we were her enthusiastic followers. Not just the London Branch, but members from Scotland, Yorkshire and other areas in the UK. After Bruges, we went on to places in France with Plantagenet links: Chinon, Fontevraud, Anjou, Chartres, etc. She would know places not on the usual tourist routes that it was important for us to see. The notes we received were very informative and the whole trip was so well organised and researched. She always treated the wishes of those who were her frequent travelling companions as important: if she wanted to visit some area but found that the majority had hoped for a different venue, then the different venue was chosen. Joyce herself arranged the week-long trips to the continent, the long weekends in the UK, as well as various day trips and the Fotheringhay carol services and luncheon, all without assistance. If at times she grew a little impatient we were not surprised. As I wrote at her funeral address it now takes a whole group of people to do the job she did alone. We all miss Joyce. Kitty Bristow

Memories of Joyce My strongest memories came from the period after her death, when a dozen or so Ricardians got together one afternoon to express our dismay and sense of loss. The gathering began sorrowful- ly, but soon became a celebration, as we each began to tell our favourite ‘Joyce stories’ ... remi- niscences of a woman who was dynamic and active, with a wicked sense of humor, and a heart as big as all outdoors. No matter how busy she was, she was always willing to take on one more job, provided that the purpose was to help others. That afternoon became an ‘Irish wake’ (in the very best sense), generating as many laughs as tears. And then someone said ‘I’m sure going to miss her trips’, and I burst out ‘Why should they stop?’ The answer was ‘Who could possibly take her place? Do you realize the hundreds of hours of time and effort she spent on those trips? Who else would be willing to take on that load?’ And my response was. ‘Well, maybe no one person would, but maybe eight or ten of us might!’

‘I really enjoyed her trips’, I continued, ‘and I don’t want to see them end. If you all feel the same way, we could put together a committee to continue her work, and to keep her memory alive at the same time.’ And that was all that was needed. The response was immediate, enthusiastic and electric. ‘I’ll talk to Robert’ (our Chairman, Robert Hamblin) said Elizabeth Nokes, ‘and I’ll see how far Joyce had got in her plans for our Normandy trip’. Lesley Wynne-Davies volunteered to write background notes. Pauline Stevenson offered to dig out information about hotels, and to ask her friend Michelle Seeberger to find out about French sites in Normandy. Kitty Bristow and Phil Stone both said they would work on future day trips. Everybody volunteered to do something, and because I had started it, I was unanimously volunteered to organize and co-ordinate the programme. And this was how Joyce Melhuish, Visits Co-Ordinator, was replaced by the Visits Committee, some ten or a dozen people doing what Joyce had previously done all by herself. A fitting memorial. Don Jennings

Joyce Melhuish I first knew Joyce – or rather Miss Melhuish – in the late 1960s as the formidable lady who sat with the rest of the Committee at the first AGMs I attended, in Crosby Hall. I also bought her booklet on Richard’s College at Middleham, so even then it was clear that there was learning and a love for Richard behind her no-nonsense exterior. Her Continental trips were becoming famous, and when I expressed interest someone urged me to conquer my shyness and join the next one – I would find it an Experience, they promised. By the early 1970s I had only been abroad twice and I wanted to see more of the world. And by all accounts Joyce’s trips, though short, included more places to see than would be thought possible by the usual holiday-maker. Joyce was a meticulous planner, usually going over the entire terrain by herself beforehand. So she knew that we could fit in a stop to see the frescoes or the Romanesque carvings in an obscure village church, or the carved well-head in the grounds of a mental hospital (I didn’t make that up ...) It was just bad luck that the said church so often seemed to be busy, just for the half-hour we hoped to spend there, with a wedding or (more usually) a funeral. But it was a break, and as such something to be accepted with gratitude. Like the time the whole lot of us stood for hours on a Paris street corner waiting for our coach to drive us somewhere interesting. After buzzing about tirelessly trying to find out what had happened (had the driver got lost? been murdered? – No. the Gendarmerie had not heard of that one) Joyce found that the driver had by mistake or otherwise, spent the afternoon in sleep. Then, with typical Joycean illogicality, she waxed indignant over two hapless members of the party who, having got fed up of loitering with no intent whatever, went off to see a friend and then to the cinema. Joyce’s parties were expected to stick together no matter what! Although she was not noted for the gladness with which she suffered fools, Joyce was the soul of generosity and hospitality to those she liked. Joan Preston and myself came on the trips together from Leeds, and Joyce was quick to offer us a bed for the night before those early starts from Victoria. She would even meet us at the station and drive us to her home, restricting herself to only one or two comments on my frequent misreading of the timetables. In later years she also insisted that we could not possibly travel on to Yorkshire the same day as the journey back through France and the Channel crossing, and we stayed with her at the end of the trip too. Joan and I would sit in her front-room feeling guilty but also feeling that we were better out of the way (as instructed) of the whirlwind in the kitchen. Then she would produce a splendid meal, which we ate while listening to her sometimes defamatory comments on mutual friends (my lips are sealed, by the way) and her assessment of how the trip had gone. Joyce was a wonderful woman, and there will never be anyone like her. Mary O’Regan

‘Let us now praise famous men ..’ – and women: Olivia Wigram, George Awdry, Patrick Bacon, Jeremy Potter, Robert Hamblin – and Joyce Melhuish. Of them all – the former ‘greats’ of the Society, I think it is Joyce’s name that comes, still, ten years after her death, most frequently to mind, and so often to our tongues: it is hard to have a Society gathering without a mention of Joyce! As has been clearly demonstrated above, everyone has their ‘Joyce stories’ (even if not necessarily printable …). She excelled in so many areas: in no particular order: committee service, memorials, RCRF church restoration and the fund-raising for it, visits and the erudite programmes and guides she put together, craft sales craft work, art work … How could I not remember her daily when I have one of her paintings on my bedroom wall? As well as doing all these things herself, she drove others to heights and exertions of which they had not know they were capable. As Isolde records, Joyce made embroidery history with the Middleham Frontal. As Phil and I would attest, she encouraged us to achievements we would not otherwise have made: in his case, Fotheringhay hassocks and designs, and in my case the ‘fair linen cloth’ at Fotheringhay, designed by Phil, embroidered by me – but Joyce was its beget- ter. Craft sales – I contributed some stock, and kept a beady eye on the keys and other such essen- tials when they threatened to get lost, but Joyce did all the rest – sourced and booked venues, produced a wide range of craft work (not just dolls – paperweights, paintings, tissue holders..), transported us to and from the venues, far and wide, and often, after a craft sale, went on and carried out a field monument inspection as part of her post-retirement work for English Heritage. How did we keep up! How many members now remember Marcus, Joyce’s poodle? Questing small poodle, ears flying, taut lead, and Joyce on the end of it. Joyce did not exhibit motherly symptoms for children, but a small poodle could be guaranteed to get her going. When he died, she never had another dog. She was always up for a sale ... I remember going walk-about at a craft sale at York Race Course and coming back to find Joyce, Jean and John Audsley in a state of bemusement – so odd in itself, that I had to be told to look at the stall and see what was different – you’ve sold all the dolls! – something that had never happened, before, or since. I demanded an action replay! Her selling propensities could sometimes be scary, as when at Greenwich an American visitor wanted to buy my skirt – no problem – but Joyce wanted to sell it to her – that was more tricky! (However I have it still!). As Shirley says – I miss her still, and – ‘Reader, if you seek a monument, look around you’, and listen too – Joyce and the initiatives she developed are still a potent force in the Society. Elizabeth Nokes

A Day for Friendships Old and New (Commemoration of the Croydon Group's 25th Anniversary and the 10th Anniversary of the death of Joyce Melhuish) On a bright and sunny 11h June, around thirty Ricardians joined together in Seaford to remember one of the Society's past great characters, Joyce Melhuish, and to celebrate twenty five years of the Croydon Group. Shirley and Roy Linsell, whose idea this event was, had turned their local church hall, with the help of some loyal and very hardworking friends, into a Ricardian Memory Lane, with photo albums and scrapbooks full of Croydon Group activities and highlights throughout the past twenty-five years. To tempt those attending to part with their cash, there were stalls selling books and other items, including some of Shirley’s collection of Joyce Melhuish’s famous historical costume dolls. These were much admired by everyone. Tables were laid out invitingly for lunch with a top table groaning with the buffet and adorned by a substantial and beautiful flower arrangement of white roses and lilies. A tape of Ricardian music played in the

background, enhancing the atmosphere. On arrival, guests were greeted with tea and coffee, and hugs and kisses were the order of the day as friends were reunited for the first time in a while. Roy took small groups around the 12th- century church, which was an absolute delight as it is one of the few churches sensitively restored by the Victorians to its medieval glory. Simple but very aesthetically pleasing, it was good to hear from Roy that the church was over full every Sunday, so large had the congregation become. I thought the graveyard and gardens around the church the most attractive and well kept I had seen so was not surprised to hear from Roy that it had won awards. Back at the hall, people were still arriving and the conversation was animated. Most people of course were Croydon Group members, past and present, but there were a few ‘outsiders’, including myself and Neil, my husband and another couple, Gladys and Terry Fawthrop from the Sussex Group. We were all made to feel very welcome and Gladys remarked on the inclusive- ness of the event. After our lunch, we toasted the memory of Richard III and Joyce Melhuish and toasted the Croydon Group and the Society - just as well the wine was flowing! Phil Stone then gave a very enjoyable talk about Joyce, humorous and informative: he gave everyone a real flavour of the colourful life with Joyce and, although I never had the pleasure of meeting her, I felt at the end of his talk that I knew her. Thus refreshed in body and spirit, we left Seaford, having enjoyed a wonderful celebration of friends past and present - and future; friendships made possible by the Richard III Society. Jane Trump

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Future Society Events

Bookable Events

Christmas at Fotheringhay - Saturday, 10 December, 2005 As the year rolls around, once again it is time to make your booking. For a change, this year, we are holding this event on a Saturday. People have said that travelling to the start point on a Sun- day can be difficult, and also, a Saturday is much more convenient for the choir and the church. I am quite sure that we will still enjoy this lovely festive occasion whichever day it is held. Being a great chance to meet up with old friends, and to make new ones, too, this event has long been accepted to be a highlight of the Ricardian social calendar. For many, it is a delightful start to the Christmas season. Lunch will again be in the Village Hall, with a hot starter, while for the main course there will be jacket potatoes with a cold turkey buffet. A vegetarian option will be available for those who let me know. The choice of desserts includes Christmas pudding. Included in the price is a glass of wine or a soft drink, as desired. The Carol Service, in Fotheringhay Church, begins at 3 p.m. Similar in style to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, it is shared with members of the parish, some of whom take part. The music will be led, as ever, by our friends, the wonderful St Peter’s Singers. There will be a coach from London, leaving Charing Cross Embankment at 9.30 a.m., getting back between 7 and 7.30 p.m. Pick-ups in Bromley and Wanstead will be available for those who let me know beforehand. If you wish to join the party, either on the coach or using your own transport, please let me know as soon as possible whether you will require:- a) lunch and a place on the coach - total 45 available b) lunch after making your own way to Fotheringhay - total 35 places c) just a place in the church (so that we can estimate the seating required)

The costs will be as follows:- a) £25.75 to cover hire of coach, the driver's tip, lunch, choir, admin., etc. b) £15.00 for lunch, choir and admin., etc. Please complete the coupon and return it to me as soon as possible. Thank you, Phil Stone, Fotheringhay Co-Ordinator

Annual Requiem Mass, Minster Lovell, 18 March 2006 On Saturday 18 March the Society’s annual Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Minster Lovell Church, Oxfordshire, according to Anglican rites. Please keep this date free in your diaries! Full details and a booking form will be in the Winter Bulletin. Coach transport from London will be on offer, but it would be wonderful to see many members from the Midlands and the west at this event. John Ashdown-Hill 65

Branches and Groups

Continental Group AGM of the Continental Group 5 – 7 May 2006. After ten years’ absence to meet in Holland because of the close down of our former meeting place, the Trappist Abbey in Tegelen near Venlo/Province Limburg we are happy to be able to return as we found a new and similar place for our future AGMs in Holland. It is the Benedictine Abbey of Lilbosch near Echt, also Province Limburg. Guestfather Johannes can only offer a few rooms for accommodation which will at first be given to the Continental Ricardians, but there is plenty of inexpensive accommodation nearby. A list can be obtained from me. The AGM itself is on Saturday, including a lecture on Nikolaus von Poppelau, the knight and diplomat from Silesia who once met Richard III. On the Friday and the Sunday morning we will explore Lilbosch’s surroundings. The old cities of Valkenburg and Maastricht are not very far away. Not only the Continental Ricardians are welcomed, but all Ricardians and people interested in history. So take the opportunity and join us for this weekend! Report on a weekend trip of a few Continental Ricardians with guests from England to Aa- chen – 10-11 June. After a pleasant train journey we met in front of the Tourist Office in Aachen to follow a guided walk through Aachen. The kind female guide told us a lot about the history of Aachen and its position as a spa since Roman times. Apart from passing the cathedral, we saw many curious wells, old houses, ancient arcades and passed several shops offering the famous ‘printen’ (ginger- bread). After a coffee break we went to see the cathedral of Charles the Great. We looked around the famous Octagon with its many arcades, mosaics and reliefs. The golden shrines con- taining the remains of the great emperor and the St Mary’s shrine were beautiful to see, as well as the giant wheel-lamp, but unfortunately we could not see the stone throne above, as the entrance was closed that day. Afterwards we visited the cathedral treasury in hope to get a view of the wedding crown of Margaret of York and the sceptre and a beautifully carved chest of Richard, Duke of Cornwall brother to King Henry III and King of the Romans from 1257-1272. To our surprise we saw both. How precious they look! But of course all the exhibits in that museum were worthy to see. After some hours’ rest in our nearby hotel we met for a very nice dinner and went to ‘The Rose’ a restaurant located in a 14th century house close to the cathedral and opposite the old archive, a building ordered by Richard Duke of Cornwall. On the Sunday morning we had a short visit to the town hall of Aachen. Many rooms were closed for city events, but we were able to see portraits of people connected with the city of Aa- chen. When we went outside some of us searched for the figure of Richard of Cornwall which should be part of the big collection of statues of monarchs facing the front of the town hall. Un- fortunately we could not see it well as the statues suffer from erosion or ‘steinfrass’ as we call this in our language. Then we went to the nearby Couven Museum, the beautiful little town palace in Aachen centre. It contains fine furniture, paintings, sculpture and a marvelous collection of tiles. We also saw a little bird cage with a little crown on its top, hanging in one of the windows. After some shopping, we bade farewell to our English guests, and then drove to the Suermond-Ludwig Mu- seum. The collection of old and new paintings and sculptures really surprised us, especially a figure of St Dorothy with a beautiful medieval dress and an extravagant really futuristic looking headdress. After lunch we left Aachen and took the train back to Frankfurt, parting to return to our homes. The visit to Aachen was a good decision and we hope to return again later on. Rita Diefenhardt-Schmitt

Gloucestershire Branch Two summer ‘field visits’ were scheduled. In May a group visited the ‘Three Castles’ - Welsh border castles with dramatic and strategic location. On a perfect spring morning we arrived at Grosmont where the Castle sits on a splendid promontory overlooking the village and fine early English church of St Nicholas. Travelling on to Skenfrith we arrived in torrential rain which failed to detract from the architectural delights of the Castle and superb, adjacent St Bridget's church. After lunch at the riverside pub we moved to White Castle (Llantilo) - an impressive structure squarely positioned physically to dominate converging valleys and medieval cross- border highways. Viewed against the backdrop of the clearing and still threatening clouds of the earlier storm, Llantilo presented a very imposing statement of power and domination. Wonderful castles, churches and remote countryside - a step back in time which can be recommended to any Ricardian requiring a day ‘away from it all’. Our second visit enabled a welcome return to Worcester to see the Cathedral by way of a privately conducted tour followed by a visit to the Greyfriar’s Merchant’s house (1480). A full programme for the forthcoming year, will be available following the Branch AGM.

Forthcoming Events Saturday 3 September AGM (Branch) Saturday 8 October Annual Lecture : Medieval Costume by Suzi Clarke (see below) Saturday 5 November ‘Witches Brew’: Short papers on medieval witchcraft. Saturday 3 December Medieval Meal. Members are invited to bring a medieval dish. Venues are as per the programme notes. The winter Bristol Group Programme will be available for the next Bulletin issue. Keith Stenner

ANNUAL LECTURE - SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER, 2005 - MEDIEVAL COSTUME

Suzi Clarke will provide a special afternoon presentation with two lectures : The Development of Medieval Costume up to the late 15th century

How a costume can be made. Suzi will demonstrate, dressed in her own medieval costume

and head-dress.

She will also develop and discuss any aspects of medieval dress in which attendees have a

particular interest. Location: Emanuel Church Hall, Leckhampton, Cheltenham. Time : 14.00 – 17.00 Cost : £6.00 each [to include mid-afternoon refreshments and a concluding tea.] We extend a very warm welcome to any Ricardians wishing to attend what should be an excellent afternoon. Tickets available from Keith Stenner, Telephone Number 01275 541512

West Surrey Group Our AGM was held in January at the home of two of our members, Richard and Sandra. Richard, our Treasurer, reported that our funds are healthy, which is always good to hear. We discussed plans for the coming year and among other suggestions we propose to visit Kenilworth Castle and Charlecote Park, with possibly a late summer weekend in East Anglia. In the Autumn we hope to visit The National Archives at Kew. Several names came up in discussion, of speakers that we would like to invite to talk to us. Among these was John Ashdown-Hill who has since come along to one of our meetings to speak about Eleanor Talbot. It was proposed that we each make a list of all the books we own, both fiction and non- fiction, relating to the Yorkist period, so that we can share them with each other. We also have a number of books which were left to us by former member Dave Walton, who sadly passed away 67

in 2003. In February we met at Eva’s house to hear a very comprehensive talk by Vikktoria Senior on John de Vere, Earl of Oxford 1443-1513, son of the ancient de Vere family which came to Eng- land with the Conqueror. He lived a chequered life, starting as a young man quite firmly in the Yorkist camp. He was created a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth Wood- ville. He married Warwick’s younger sister and became committed to the Neville family, as shown at the battle of Barnet. The consequence of this battle and many other events in his life, followed by his imprisonment at and eventual escape from Hammes Castle, was to see him thoroughly entrenched with Henry Tudor at the court of Charles the Eighth, in France. He was a very brave professional soldier and general and if his life had taken a different course, he could well have fought for Richard at Bosworth, with the outcome of that battle being vastly altered. In March five of our group were fortunate to attend the ’Wars of the Roses’ study weekend at Rewley House, Oxford. We enjoyed lectures on the Origin of the Wars (Dr John Watts), Marga- ret of Anjou (Dr Diana Dunn), Richard III (Dr Rosemary Horrox), the Court of Edward IV (Dr Malcolm Vale) and Late Medieval Warfare (Dr Michael Jones) among others. It was a delightful and informative weekend in the company of like-minded ‘students’. Also in March we spent a day at Pat’s house to watch the complete videos of the TV presentation of the Trial of Richard III’. As expected, this led to a great deal of discussion and approval - or disapproval of the various witnesses for defence or prosecution. In April we gathered at Rollo’s house to meet and hear John Ashdown-Hill speak about Elea- nor Talbot. This was a wonderful talk and slide show, the result of an incredible amount of research by John into Eleanor’s background and family relationships. Warwick the Kingmaker was her uncle, thus Anne and Isabel were her first cousins. Her sister Elizabeth was Duchess of Norfolk. These, among other relationships brought her close to the throne and consequently in a position to catch Edward’s ever-roving eye! The pre-contract (or marriage) probably took place in 1461 but the relationship was short-lived. After Edward’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, Eleanor took a vow of simple obedience within the Carmelite Priory in Norwich but never became a nun. She died in 1468 and was buried at the Whitefriars. Although her tomb was consequently destroyed, excavation in 1958 revealed bones from several burials, some of which could quite possibly have been Eleanor’s. John has examined the bones and a skull which he feels may well be hers. A dentist friend of John’s took dental x-rays of the skull, revealing a congenital de- fect in the jaw, similar to that of her niece, Anne Mowbray and possibly also of her father, the Earl of Shrewsbury. Thus, although there is no positive proof, the skeleton could be that of Elea- nor. John has a great deal of further research to do, not least into new documents, relating to El- eanor, and we await his publication of the results with keen anticipation. Our next meeting was in June, again at Pat’s house and lovely garden, for a fascinating ‘hands on’ day in the company of two members of Raven-Tor, a living history group from Chich- ester Museum. We were most impressed to meet the Earl of Arundel, transported direct from the late 1400s, dressed in the clothes and accoutrements of that time. Paul Ullson - the founder of Raven-Tor - explained how clothing and the colours of it, combined with the quality of fabric, would convey at a glance exactly who a person was. Certain colours (black, red, purple, green and yellow) represented high status. Browns, blues and greys meant someone of low calling. We learnt that noblemen wore layers of clothing with the final top item being the gown, which was a sumptuous garment fashioned to create wide shoulders and narrow waists. One or two of our members were able to try on some of these genuinely made items of clothing and we were able to re-produce our very own ‘Richard’, complete with elaborate head gear and chain of boars made of pewter. He wore a leather belt with the necessary objects attached to it that had to be carried for daily use, i.e., a type of leather purse, knife (for eating) dagger (for defence) and a rosary etc. Paul commented on how uplifting it feels to be dressed in this grand medieval clothing and our ‘Richard’ certainly adopted an authoritative ‘Royal’ swagger. Next, Paul showed us items of

pewter and pottery, created as exact replicas of fifteenth-century artefacts found in archaeological digs in the South of England. He had several swords which we were able to handle. These are actually used in re-enactments performed by Raven-Tor and consequently have the edges blunt- ed. His colleague then dressed in a suit of armour and explained how and where armour of the Middle Ages was made. Although each piece we handled was very heavy, once he had the complete suit on it was amazing how versatile a knight could be. We were treated to an incredible display of sword play, intricate footwork and speedy changes of body positioning, as if the entire suit of armour was made of light plastic - which it certainly was not. After an excellent al fresco lunch, we had a demonstration of archery and were allowed to try our hands at it, with the warning to ‘shoot low’ as arrows can travel for hundreds of yards (shot by proper bowmen). As it was, when the time came to retrieve the arrows, although a thorough search was made, one was missing at the end of the afternoon. This has given us an excuse, hop- ing the errant arrow comes to light, to book Raven-Tor to come to give us another demonstration, next time with the accent on medieval women and the clothes and fashions of their time. We now have a couple of weekend visits to look forward to and some interesting plans for the Autumn. More about these in the next issue. Renee Barlow

Worcestershire Branch On 14 May we went to Ludlow, seeing St Lawrence parish church, which includes the arms of Ludlow depicted in the Palmers window in the chancel, consisting of three white Yorkist roses and a white lion. We found a member of the Society working in the gift shop. A guided tour of the castle followed, complete with costumed guide. The castle was modified in the Elizabethan era and although now a ruin has retained much of its original shape. Most notable is the circular chapel within the bailey, with beautifully decorated door lintels. On 11 June we visited Huddington and Dormston ending with tea in Judith Chamberlain’s garden. Huddington Court is a moated manor house with a square moat. There has been a house on the site since medieval times, but it has been extended and rebuilt over time, with a tiled roof and sixteenth-century extension. Its main claim to fame came in the seventeenth-century: the Wintour family who lived in the house were Catholics and were involved in the Gunpowder Plot, with Robert Catesby, a direct descendant of William Catesby, Richard III’s councillor. When the plot failed the conspirators raced north to Huddington Court, where thirty of them had dinner on 6 November 1605 before scattering in an effort to avoid capture. The house is in private hands, so we viewed the exterior before visiting the church, the churchyard of which contains the grave of an unknown soldier. In 1651 a badly injured soldier was found at the church gates. He died shortly afterwards and was buried in the churchyard. In the twentieth century the remains were exhumed and examined, the clothes being well preserved as well as the foreign coins in his pock- ets. It is thought he fought on the side of Charles II at the battle of Worcester where he received his fatal wounds. The interior of St James church is a simple Norman nave and chancel, with a south aisle added later. Unusually there is a plaque to an Elizabethan Jesuit priest on the back of the rood screen, itself surprisingly still intact, but minus its Jesus on the cross. The Worcestershire Branch enjoys a varied and full programme, details of which are available from Secretary Val Sibley on 01564 777329.

Future programme 8 October Fund raiser and business meeting – venue – St Leonard’s church hall, Beoley 19 November talk by Kevin Down Jane Tinklin

Yorkshire Branch Report for April 2004 – March 2005 As reported in previous issues, Yorkshire Branch has undertaken its usual commitments and commemorations during the year, including attending events at Towton Hall on Palm Sunday, 4 April, and St Alkelda’s Middleham on 22 August. Dr Michael Jones gave our annual Branch Lecture on 3 April, taking as his topic ‘Richard III as a military commander’, but exploring chiv- alric preconceptions of leadership in a wider context. Individual Branch members lent support to ‘outside’ occasions as well. Mary O’Regan was one of the speakers in a series of talks on heraldry at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and Janet Senior was involved in arranging a Day School at Sheriff Hutton run by the Yorkshire Archaeological Society. Our branch outing, in September, was to Haddon Hall and Norbury church and Old Manor House. There was no festival week at Middleham this year, but the branch still had a presence (and sales point) in the castle at two weekends in July – including probably one of the wettest days in living memory! On Bosworth day the branch sadly lost one of its founding figures with the death of Joan Preston. She is greatly missed. Happier news was that one of our American members, Sandra Worth, had published a novel, The Rose of York, in the USA, which has been very well received (it has since won a literary award). The branch committee for 2004-2005 remains as before, with John Audsley as our Chairman.

I give below some advance notices of branch events which I hope will interest our readers:

3 September Branch AGM – Wheatlands Hotel, York, 1.30 p.m. It is hoped that John Audsley will be presented with his official badge as a Society Vice- President on this occasion, so do try to attend if you can. 22 October Medieval Banquet – Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York, – please note actual date – 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. (The change of date from the provisional

Further details about these events have appeared in the Branch’s August Newsletter, or contact John Audsley on 0113 216 4091 (email: [email protected]) Sheffield member Pauline Routh’s invaluable book Who was who in the Wars of the Roses should be released by the time you read this Bulletin. Again, please contact me for more details. Subscriptions are now due for our magazine Blanc Sanglier, 2005-6 – our fortieth volume. Please note our new rates: for three issues with Newsletters, UK, £7.00, Europe, £8.50, rest of world, £10.00, all including postage. Angela Moreton

New Members

UK 1 April - 30 June 2005 Sally Adams, London Catherine Glithero, Mears Ashby Cynthia Bell, Scunthorpe Francis Johnson, Rickmansworth Cindy Bennett, St Austell Lesley Lambert, York Ewan Carmichael, Orpington Glenys Landsborough, Whitwick Pauline Chappell, Bridgwater, Edward Lewis, Leeds Madeleine Clifford-Roper, Kingston-upon-Hull Linda Lines, St Albans Alison Coates, Leicester Marion Nixon, March Gwen Cook, Chalfont St Giles Stella Payne, West Wickham Patricia Coussens, Southsea Marilyn Sherlock, Newton Ferrers Samuel Davis, Hitchin Andy Smith, Ashtead Sima De, Coventry Carol Southworth, Solihull Kate Furphy, Bristol Cecilia Voss, London

Overseas 1 April - 30 June 2005

Stephanie Mcadie, Northern Territory, Aust. Denise McGill, New Brunswick, Canada Sharon Bridges, Ontario, Canada Soubhi Nayal, Ontario, Canada Peter Byrne, Ontario, Canada Dayna Spencer, Ontario, Canada Evelyn Coates, Nova Scotia, Canada St Swithins Society, Ontario, Canada Catherine Desantis, Orton, Canada Angela Mertzanis, Crete, Greece Peter Duchesne, Ontario, Canada Trina Maassen-Hazeleger, The Netherlands Alexandra Hauser-Kawaguchi, Ontario, Canada

US Branch 1 April - 30 June 2005

Peggy Blakely, California Winifred Morgan, California Jeri Ann Boyd, California Gloria Purcell, California Kelly M Ellis, North Carolina Geoffrey Sedlezky, Canada Debra Guptill, Illinois Valerie Sedlezky, Canada Kathleen A Jones, Ohio Michael Sloan, Texas James D Jones, West Virginia Betty W Thrift, California Timothy Lyons, Illinois Michael Todd, Florida Ann Martelle, Rhode Island Sheri Vangen-Ratcliffe, Minnesota

Calendar

We run a calendar of all forthcoming events: if you are aware of any events of Ricardian interest, whether organised by the Society - Committee, Visits Team, Research Committee, Branch- es/Groups - or by others, please let the Editor have full details, in sufficient time for entry. The calendar will also be run on the website, and, with full details, for members, on the intranet.

Date(s) Events Originator 2005 1 October AGM and Members’ Day, English Heritage Lecture See pages 5-9 Theatre, Savile Row, London 8 October Gloucestershire Branch Lecture See page 67 21-23 October Weekend visit to Mechelen for ‘City in Female Hands: Visits Committee Women of Distinction’ including Margaret of York and Margarte of Austria 12 November Norwich Study Day. ‘Knighthood and Battle - the Norfolk Branch Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of the Roses’ 10 December Fotheringhay Nine Lessons and Carols and Lunch Fotheringhay Co- Ordinator See page 65 2006 March t.b.c. Jubilee Event at Tower of London

18 March Annual Requiem Mass, Minster Lovell See page 65

8 April London day visit. British Museum and Charterhouse Visits Committee

21 - 23 April Study Weekend at York Research Officer 5-7 May AGM Continental Group, Lilbosch, Holland See page 66

19 or 25 May Richard III Society Golden Jubilee Schools Competi- t.b.c. tion Reception 10 or 17 June Day visit to Romney Marshes Smallhythe Visits Committee

July t.b.a. Long weekend visit based on Chester or Stafford Visits Committee 20 August Bosworth, traditional site, Sutton Cheney etc. Visits Committee

9 September London Day visit. St John’s and St Helen’s Churches Visits Committee 29 September AGM and Members’ Weekend. York - 1 October

October t.b.a. Jubilee Event at St George’s Windsor 2007 Early May Visit to Provence Visits Committee 72