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Richard the Third

(20 Posts)
suebailey1 Fri 23-May-14 15:18:30

So its decided Richard the Third can be laid to rest in Leicester where he was originally buried after battle. I think it would have been more respectful to leave him where he lay and build the monument around him (they could have relocated the car park) but Leicester Cathedral and the C of E has spent a lot of money and I'm sure the result will be impressive. Won't please everyone of course.

Aka Fri 23-May-14 15:48:10

Little he cares anyway!

BeeWitch Fri 23-May-14 15:51:30

aka well, quite ...

GadaboutGran Fri 23-May-14 17:19:52

Excellent news. With offices all around the CP it would have been difficult I think. A new spac I believe is in preparation for the exhibition, not far from the CP & the Cathedral. Leicester experts can put me right.

Mamardoit Fri 23-May-14 17:21:16

It went to the High Court ..........Wonder who's footing the bill!

granjura Fri 23-May-14 17:34:17

Great news for all of us Leicester fans smile

J52 Fri 23-May-14 17:57:12

Great boost for Leicester and the rejuvenation of its historic heritage. X

JessM Fri 23-May-14 18:09:56

Disgraceful waste of public money by a bunch of people that want to believe they are special because their ancestors were royal. Probably all of us have royal ancestors the way those royals used to put it about. And so what anyway.

kittylester Fri 23-May-14 19:02:33

I am so chuffed. grin

I can't stand our bumptious elected mayor but he has put some great plans in place for the historic bit of Leicester around the cathedral. We have other really ancient buildings around there and the old Grammar School, right next to the Cathedral, is being utilised to house an exhibition, the Cathedral Surrounds are being redesigned and a square laid. It's great news for Leicester.

The car park where he was found is very unprepossessing, as are the buildings that totally surround it. This will be much more fitting.

Lots of people in and from Leicester have a great deal of affection for Richard and would have been very sad to see him being reburied in York.

granjura Fri 23-May-14 19:12:14

The medieval Guildhall next to the Cathedral is a really beautiful place- and it would be nice for the other lovely medieval building that hosted the costume exhibition to be used again.

kittylester Fri 23-May-14 19:25:15

You are right granjura the Guildhall is fabulous. I had forgotten the costume museum - how could I, having three clothes mad daughters. We must have had birthday visits for about 10 years all told. The Newark Houses Museum is really good now too.

And, Leicester is getting a railway museum allied to the York one (presumably getting their cast offs!) on the Great Central Railway (although I think that should have come to Loughborough!). And we have the Golden Mile with the best curries in the country!

The wonderful Bradgate Park is getting a visitor centre too. In fact, visit Leicester!!

(Actually, I was born in Derby and we live near Loughborough but Leicester is my home and I have a great affection for the place!)

suebailey1 Sat 24-May-14 10:40:03

I understand the new food market is now open too- must give that a visit next week.

Tegan Sat 24-May-14 10:47:42

Loughborough should definately have got the railway museum; it could have gone on the Brush site perhaps [with regular trains to and from Leicester perhaps?].

kittylester Sat 24-May-14 11:14:12

SueI was disappointed when I thought I heard East Midlands today say there eight stalls - have you heard different?

Great Central have quite a big site at their Loughborough station. They do run trains to Leicester but they stop at Birstall confused. There are also plans to join up with a similar railway in Nottingham.

When he were a lad, DH lived in Station Road in Birstall and used to catch the GC train to school in Loughborough and his father used to go to work in the opposite direction, to Leicester. It is such a lovely 1950's image!

POGS Sat 24-May-14 12:25:02

I'm glad Leicester has been chosen.

Leicester University has worked so hard in all aspects such as obtaining financial backing, time, effort and bloody minded will to succeed in finding Richard.

The 'family' and other parties who wanted to reap the reward but not put the effort in have got what they deserve and whilst I understand the obvious connection to York I think they were a little opportunistic to be honest.

Probably a row that will carry on for years but well done Leicester University for all your hard work and success.

Deedaa Sat 24-May-14 20:33:28

OK I'm a Yorkist and I'm appalled that he won't be buried in the Minster. Leicester will be a lot easier for me to visit than York, but it is still the place where he was thrown in a hole, still tied up and forgotten. And the tomb they've designed is horrible. At least they might try and produce something fitting for a medieval king. It hardly compares with Henry VII's edifice in Westminster Abbey.

rosequartz Sat 24-May-14 20:38:48

He should be taken back to where he belongs. Either York or Westminster, or we will never hear the last of it!

nightowl Sat 24-May-14 20:45:42

I'm also a Yorkist through and through. At the same time, I recognise the work that the University of Leicester has put into exhuming and identifying him. In my heart I believe he should be buried at Westminster, because he was a king and because his wife is buried there.

kittylester Sat 24-May-14 21:00:54

He wasn't forgotten in Leicester at all! There is a thriving Richard III group!

Deedaa Sat 24-May-14 21:27:21

Sadly I gather there is no room in the Abbey. Another alternative would be to bury him with his son. (Off the top of my head I can't remember where he is though blush )
The work Leicester University has done is marvellous - but I just wish he cou7ld have gone back to York.