Some of Leicester’s precious heritage needs saving….

According to this article Heritage Britain there are apparently sixteen buildings/sites in Leicester that are at risk from disrepair or plain neglect. They include the church of St Mary de Castro: “….‘St Mary of the Castle’, this church once served Leicester Castle. King Henry VI was knighted there at the age of four, as was…

Shrewsbury Battlefield and the memorial church of St Mary Magdelene

I have long wanted to attend the re-enactment of the Battle of Shrewsbury and also visit the church of St Mary Magdelene. In 2022 I finally managed it. It was touch and go, although I had booked my train ticket some weeks back. These days such an excursion demands a lot of effort and I…

While searching for a 14th-century map of Europe….

  While ambling around in the hope of finding a 14th century map of Europe, I happened upon this site It’s interesting, and includes an anecdote (modern) of the ruse used by a US cartographer of adding fake towns to his maps, to catch out forgers. Someone wasn’t caught out by this, he was actually…

How big were the horses of medieval knights….?

Well, I had heard before that medieval horses were much smaller than we imagine, and now it seems  proof may may have been found.   It’s a fact that for journeys medieval folk who could afford more than Shanks’ pony used small horses that could keep up a fast trot for a l-o-n-g time. They…

All you need to know about almshouses….

  I confess to not knowing much about almshouses, but this article soon explains it all.

Heraldic Crécy, but where’s the green….?

We all love heraldry, so  here is a very colourful illustration by the renowned heraldic artist, Dan Escott. It shows the banners at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. The caption for the work is: “As you can see it is rather stylised but it shows very clearly the use of Heraldry for identification for…

Another one bites the dust….unwelcome housing development that is….

  I can’t find an illustration of the intended development. The above photograph came with  this article. It seems a 63-home housing development has been turned down again. For good this time. It would have been close to Bosworth Field.

Richard of Gloucester attacks Dumfries in 1482….

  “….540 years ago on 22nd May 1482, the English led by Richard, Duke of Gloucester (the future Richard III) led a large raiding party across the Solway Firth. The raid was a reprisal to punish the Scots for the devastation they had caused in Cumberland during the previous winter….” The above is an extract…

Henry VII was handsome and had an almost divine nature….

  “….Polydore Vergil was one of the first to record the appearance of the king [Henry VII]: “His body was slender but strong and solid, a little above average in height. His appearance was handsome, particularly when his expression was happy in conversation. He had blue eyes, few teeth, and sparse hair. His intellect was great and clever, and…

Herald’s Lament

This Legendary Ten Seconds song, with lyrics by Sandra Heath Wilson, features on the new Musical Almanac album. A HERALD’S LAMENT . . .King Richard is dead Lyrics written by Sandra Heath Wilson   King Richard is dead! Such dread news I bring!No joy to cling to, no hosannas to singI tell a tale so…