Month: May 2015

Bringing up the Saffron

Pare saffron plot, forget it not.  His dwelling made trim, look shortly for him.  When harvest is gone, then saffron comes on.  A little of ground, Brings Saffron a Pound The history of saffron, that exotic spice of the Levant, spans three millennia, landing in England some time in the mid-14th century – although certainly there are… Continue reading Bringing up the Saffron

The Queen’s Beasts….

There was a item posted at Facebook today showing one of these fascinating heraldic creatures. A quick look online has revealed a site where you can see them all, and zoom in on them. http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/sculptures-statues-figures/a-set-of-ten-minton-models-of-5569395-details.aspx The set comprises ten models, and was made circa 1955. It was modelled by James Woodford and issued in a… Continue reading The Queen’s Beasts….

Arming Richard

When I was in Leicester for the re-interment I was lucky enough to be able to attend a lecture by the armour expert, Richard Knox, and Dominic Smee, Richard’s body double. As an osteopath I was interested in some of the information Dominic gave about that and this included the height of Richard and how… Continue reading Arming Richard

Castle Barnard celebrates the life of Richard III with a weekend of festivities….

This article has been taken from The Northern Echo, and was first published Sunday 24 May 2015 in the Barnard Castle News. Barnard Castle Town Council and the Northern Dales Richard III Group, alongside the Friends of the Bowes Museum, are holding a several events between July 3 and 5, to celebrate the town’s close… Continue reading Castle Barnard celebrates the life of Richard III with a weekend of festivities….

Polydore Vergil’s destruction of evidence.

The claim that Polydore Vergil destroyed a large amount of evidence while compiling his history is often derided. Indeed, in certain circles it is the basis of running jokes – I rather think these people think it is an allegation invented by the Richard III Society, or perhaps by ‘romantic lady novelists.’ In Jeremy Potter’s… Continue reading Polydore Vergil’s destruction of evidence.

At last, Richard gets a smidgeon of the Renaissance credit he’s due….

English Costume from William I to George IV by Dion Clayton Calthrop, published 1937. I have just received this book, and of course turned immediately to the reign of Richard III. Dismay promptly ensued. Hump-backed Richard! Oh, natch. Then: “The axe of the executioner soiled many white shirts, and dreadful forebodings fluttered the dovecots of… Continue reading At last, Richard gets a smidgeon of the Renaissance credit he’s due….

What was Stillington’s motive?

Although Commines is the principal source for Robert Stillington being the clergyman who informed Richard of the alleged marriage between Edward IV and Lady Eleanor Talbot, the treatment of the bishop after the accession of Henry VII does appear to support the idea that he was the man involved. Indeed it appears that the Lords… Continue reading What was Stillington’s motive?

A Fishy Tale…

Keeping on the subject of mediaeval food, I decided to write about a foodstuff that is no longer commonly eaten or even very well known of in the UK – the lamprey. The lamprey, an ancient and primitive species of fish, was popular in mediaeval times because of the Church’s ruling that people were not… Continue reading A Fishy Tale…