Month: Apr 2016

These Boots Are Made For Walking: the Worcester Pilgrim Burial

Recently a fascinating burial was discovered in Worcester; that of a pilgrim who lived in the mid-15th century. What makes this find  extraordinary is the preservation of organics in the grave, including, rather spectacularly, the man’s tall leather boots. His pilgrim’s staff was also present. The Worcester pilgrim  certainly provides a window on the world… Continue reading These Boots Are Made For Walking: the Worcester Pilgrim Burial

Of well-connected Archbishops

Before the English Reformation, Archbishops were often related to the King, a spare brother from a branch of the Royal family. There were commoners, increasingly so as the years went on. Then the Reformation ensured that the clergy were no longer required to be celibate. Focussing particularly on the province of Canterbury, there have been… Continue reading Of well-connected Archbishops

Richard and “Incest”

In BBC History, Richard III Special Edition, Professor Hicks returns to his theory that Richard III’s marriage to Anne Neville was incestuous because of the prior marriage of his brother, George Clarence, to Isabel Neville. I have to confess to surprise that a historian of Professor Hicks’ fame and academic stature is still chasing this… Continue reading Richard and “Incest”

This is not Anne Boleyn

(re-blogged from Lissa Bryan’s guest post on The History Geeks, in response to this article) This “new portrait of Anne Boleyn” has been making the rounds in social media, and now is being publicized in several news articles. It is not Anne Boleyn. The sketch that is circulating is a third-hand copy of a painting… Continue reading This is not Anne Boleyn

The Bard’s Richard reviewed by a Ricardian….

Yes, yes, ANOTHER review of Shakespeare’s Richard. Don’t sigh, because this one is written by a Ricardian, who makes sure she sets the actual record straight before she goes on to speak of the production in question. Thank you Lynn Beaver. My only grizzle? I could have done with a few more paragraph breaks! Endless… Continue reading The Bard’s Richard reviewed by a Ricardian….

Bridport’s pride in its link with Richard III….

>>>On 5th November 1483 King Richard the Third stayed overnight in Bridport on his way to Exeter to deal with the remnants of the rebellion led by the Duke of Buckingham<<< >>>Bridport Mayor Sandra Brown said: “I have been interested in Richard and his unfair bad press ever since school. My history teacher put most… Continue reading Bridport’s pride in its link with Richard III….

Edmund Ironside

Edmund II (Ironside) is a curiosity among English Kings. He reigned for barely seven months, succeeding his father Ethelred II (Unraed) on St. George’s Day 1016 but dying “in suspicious circumstances” on St. Andrew’s Day the same year. He was the half-brother of Edward the Confessor and grandfather of Edgar the Atheling, thus the ancestor… Continue reading Edmund Ironside

Remembering …

… the Leicestershire author and historian David Baldwin, who died from cancer earlier this month. He lectured at Leicester and Nottingham Universities but will be principally be remembered for works that included: His biography of Richard III, which was among those suggesting (correctly) where to find Richard, although it slightly underplayed the significance of Edward… Continue reading Remembering …