It seems amazing that Richard III's final resting place can excite controversy even now, 500+ years after his death but it really can. on one side we have those arguing he was an anointed King of England and therefore is entitled to be buried in Westminster Abbey, on another that he was a Yorkist King who spent the last 12 years of his life in the North of England and had made his own plans to be buried in York Minster, and finally another point of view that he should be buried in Leicester cathedral. Why Leicester? Well, that's where the dig that may have discovered him (we await DNA testing) was based and the Richard III society has worked for some time with Leicester University and Leicester Council to bring this about.
Personally, I am most happy really that it stirs historical debate about the man. Was he the man-monster the Tudors portrayed or a paragon of virtue who lived up to his own motto of 'loyalty binds me'. probably neither, somewhere in between and very much a man of his time one imagines, but it is great to see history stirring debate and shows how passionate we can be about our heritage.
If I had to pick I'd say York Minster as that was his choice, what he had planned and he was Yorkist King based in the north. (But perhaps I have a vested interest in that view being a yorkshireman myself!
I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree! It is wonderful that the recent events surrounding our (very) late monarch are arousing interest not only from those dedicated to history's trying art but also, it would seem, most anyone even vaguely informed on the furore has something to add to the debate- which is of course a delightful bonus on top of the investigation itself!
ReplyDeleteFor my part, I feel wholeheartedly that as a devout Yorkist the man in question would most assuredly have appreciated our adherence to his final wish; to rest in the Minster at the heart of York. I believe that we ought really to respect that, as a monarch of England, while it would be perfectly within his right to be buried at Westminster, it was not an entitlement that, ultimately, he had any desire to exercise.
But I am talking for far too long! I will conclude with a declaration of appreciation, and thanks for another lively and eloquent entry- more to come, I hope?