The New Murrey and Blue blog

My home city of Gloucester (and its cathedral) doesn’t turn up enough online, but here’s a link that’s all about Gloucester. And it gives Richard III a fair deal, although it doesn’t mention that on 29 July 1483*, during his royal progress, he granted Gloucester its charter. Nor that in 1471 Gloucester closed its gates to Margaret of Anjou’s Lancastrian army, forcing her to move on up the Severn to Tewkesbury, where Edward IV won a decisive battle. Nor that in 1483, when the traitor Duke of Buckingham rebelled against Richard III, it was at Gloucester that the floods of the River Severn stopped him in his tracks. His army disintegrated, Buckingham was captured and executed at Salisbury. So for Ricardians and Yorkists, Gloucester has played a prominent part that all too often passes unnoticed.

The article tells of various royal connections to the city, of which there are quite a few, including the tomb of Edward II, who (arguably) died at nearby Berkeley Castle. The tomb is of special interest to me because it is adorned with the white hart badge of Richard II, who as you all know by now is one of my two favourite kings, alongside Richard III. Richard II wanted his great-grandfather Edward II to be sanctified but failed. But he did order his badge to feature on the tomb, and they’re still there for all to see.

You can read another article all about Gloucester cathedral here Points of Interest at Gloucester Cathedral – Edward II – Fleeting Glimpse (wordpress.com) It is from this site that I have taken the above image of Richard II’s white harts. The picture of the tomb itself is from Wikimedia Commons.

When I’m in combative mood (when am I not?) I get out my large wooden spoon and tell Leicester and York (or York and Leicester according to your lights) to step aside because Richard should have been laid to rest here in Gloucester—after all, he was our duke!

Footnote: * The actual charter reached Gloucester on 2 September 1483.