archaeology

Have they or have they not discovered Amelia Earhart’s bones. . .?

Jul 24, 2019

anniversaries, archaeology, Science

Amelia Earhart, aviatrices, mysteries, Nikumaroro island, Richard III

Why does this article make me think of That Urn?
The evocative alleys of London….

Jul 21, 2019

archaeology, buildings

alleyways, Great Fire of London, London

As always, while poking around the web for information about one thing, a site of great interest pops up unannounced. On this occasion, the site is this one, which can be delved into at leisure. It is amazing that so many ancient alleys are still there to be walked, and that their history can be…
The bones of 2,500 people under a Northamptonshire church….

Jul 10, 2019

anniversaries, archaeology, battles, buildings, religion

bones, burials, churches, Leicester Greyfriars, Northamptonshire, Richard III, Rothwell

“….The Holy Trinity Church in the small town of Rothwell [Northamptonshire] houses the corpses of 2,500 ancient men, women and children in a mysterious “hall of bones….” I, um, hate the thought of being in a church with all those bones under it, but it is a mystery, all the same. Nothing would persuade me…
THE PALACE OF COLLYWESTON–NEW EXCAVATIONS

Jul 5, 2019

anniversaries, archaeology, battles, buildings, Science

“Beauforts”, churches, Collyweston, First Battle of St. Albans, France, gargoyles, Henry V, Lady Margaret Beaufort, Langport, Northamptonshire, Ralph Lord Cromwell, royal palaces, South Wingfield

Collyweston is a small village in Northamptonshire, approximately three miles from the town of Stamford. It was not always so unassuming, however. In the 15th century there was a large fortified manor house that dominated Collyweston, of which today no trace remains above ground. The manor, sometimes known as ‘The Palace’ was first purchased by…
EADGYTH, A SAXON PRINCESS DISCOVERED

Jul 2, 2019

anniversaries, archaeology, buildings, genealogy, Science

Alfred, Anglo-Saxons, Eadgyth, Edward the Elder, Germany, Holy Roman Empire, House of Wessex, isotope analysis, Magdeburg Cathedral, Otto I, St. Maurice’s Monastery

Shortly before Richard III’s remains were discovered, another ancient member of the English royalty was found–the Saxon Princess Eadgyth who became Queen of Germany in 930 through her marriage to King Otto. Her father was Edward the Elder and so she was Alfred the Great’s granddaughter. She died at around 30 and was buried at…
Rhoda Edwards, Author of Ricardian Books, Dies

Jul 1, 2019

anniversaries, archaeology, Book Reviews, sources

Anne Mowbray, authors, Leicester Greyfriars, Leicester University, London Borough of Lambeth, obituaries, pottery, Rhoda Edwards, Ricardian, Richard III, Some Touch of Pity, The Broken Sword, The Itinerary of Richard III, tributes

The Ricardian author of “Some Touch of Pity” died on November 27th, 2018 at the age of 78. When researching this interesting woman, one finds only a solitary photograph of her which accompanied the book when it was published in 1976. The photo here was taken by Stephen Lark of the Murrey and Blue blog…
The Bard’s Richard, as played by Richard’s grandfather. . .!

Jun 9, 2019

archaeology, genealogy, Science, The play’s the thing

beard, historical myths, John Ashdown-Hill, mtDNA evidence, New Zealand, Pop-up Globe, Richard Earl of Cambridge, Wellington

Serial killer? Murdered his nephews? Infamous? Had no children? Oh, well, this New Zealand article does go on to say that the actual Richard had a much better reputation than the Bard saw fit to bestow upon him. But if the illustration above is supposed to be Richard….it’s more like his grandfather! Or Jeremy Corbyn…
Leicestershire’s griffin of Griffydam….?

Jun 6, 2019

archaeology, Book Reviews, buildings, genealogy, Science, travel

books, Bradgate Park, Breedon Priory, Charwood, folk tales, griffin, Jane, legends, Leicester Greyfriars, Leicestershire, Richard III

Here’s Legends an interesting book of Leicestershire folk tales for children. It includes the intriguing story of the griffin of Griffydam. Oh, and it also relates the “legends” about King Richard III !!
RETURN OF THE TURBULENT PRIEST’S TUNIC

Jun 3, 2019

anniversaries, archaeology, buildings, religion

Canterbury Cathedral, Henry II, Henry VI, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Innocent VIII, Knights, Pope Alexander III, saints, Thomas Becket, tunics

In 2020 there are planned commemorations of the martyrdom of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. King Henry II blew his top, shouted words to the effects of ‘Who will rid me of this turbulent priest? and four knights clunked off towards Canterbury, thinking the King would reward them well if they disposed of Thomas. The…
A New Novel of Richard III

May 27, 2019

archaeology, Book Reviews, genealogy, Music Reviews, Science

“Princes”, DNA, Joanne Larner, Middleham College, novels, Sheriff Hutton, The Legendary Ten Seconds

Finally my new novel, Distant Echoes, is available on Kindle for only £2.50 ($2.99 on Amazon.com). The paperback is imminent too! It was inspired by lyrics from a song, Sheriff Hutton, by The Legendary Ten Seconds. Here is the synopsis of the story: A new, innovative invention. The DNA of a mediaeval king. Put them…