culture
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This year, 2025, it was the ten-year anniversary of the reinterment of Richard III in Leicester Cathedral. My friend and I went to Leicester to experience some of the festivities and took the opportunity to visit Fotheringhay, about an hour’s drive from Leicester. This, of course, was the birthplace of Richard as well as the…
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Those of you who watch ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, might remember that Danny Dyer found out he was descended from Edward III and later, in ‘Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family’ he explored some of the other regal ancestors he had. One of these was Louis IX of France, also known as Saint Louis.…
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Well, for centuries we’ve been deluged with Shakespeare’s opinion of Richard III, so it’s an intriguing premise to imagine Richard III’s opinion of Shakespeare. Given Richard’s wry sense of humour (remember how he “marvelled” that anyone would want to marry Jane Shore?) I’d love to think he’d give the Bard as good as he got!…
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Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) was commonly used in medieval times, but has fallen out of popularity now. Here are some fascinating facts about hyssop: Medicinal UsesRespiratory issues: Hyssop was used to treat coughs, colds, and respiratory problems, such as bronchitis and asthma.Digestive aid: The herb was used to soothe digestive issues, like indigestion and bloating.Wound healing:…
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An Interview With… Thomas Dennis
This is the first in a proposed series of interviews with notable people associated with King Richard III. A short while ago, I was lucky enough to interview Thomas Dennis, the young actor who recreated the voice of Richard III. He was chosen, not only for his acting ability (which has garnered great reviews), but…
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On 24th March 2025, Radcliffe On Trent Male Voice Choir sang a lunchtime recital in Leicester Cathedral, and one of my dear friends is a member of the choir. He told me it was very emotional being just a few feet away from Richard’s tomb. Not only that but he and his wife have joined…
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What was King Richard III really like? Well, Ricardians have always known he was the best, as has Matthew Lewis, who has set about putting the rest of the world right about a king who has had nothing but wrong done to his memory. Historian and author Matthew is, of course, a former Chair of…
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According to Francis Bacon, Truth is the Daughter of Time. But The Daughter of Time is also the title of a famous book by Josephine Tey which excels in both popularity and standard-bearing for Richard III. Just how many new supporters has it garnered for Richard III since it was first published in 1951? You…
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St Ninian was ‘a most holy man’ according to the Venerable Bede. He was born around 360AD, near Hadrian’s Wall. He is first heard of in the 8th century as being an early missionary among the Pictish peoples of what is now Scotland from his monastery in Whithorn, Galloway. For this reason he is known…
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