Next month sees a Royal Reburial – that of the much maligned King Richard III
"Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,
Deform'd, unfinished, sent before my time
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them;"
William Shakespeare
The re-interment service will take place at Leicester Cathedral on Thursday 26th March 2015 and will be attended by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex.
Four days earlier on Sunday March 22nd there will be a procession through the City and County as the Monarch’s remains are taken on a journey that partly follows Richard’s own march to Bosworth Field, scene of the 1485 battle at which he was killed and which ushered in the Tudor Dynasty.
The remains of the last Plantagenet King, who reigned from 1483 – 1485, were discovered in 2012 buried beneath a car park in the City of Leicester where once stood a Franciscan Friary – Greyfriars.
How much of Medieval History will now have to be re-written? Was he really the evil, murdering tyrant depicted in Shakespeare's play, or a brave warrior, a wise and just ruler denigrated and defamed by Tudor propaganda?
You can find out more about Richard III and the discovery here: University of Leicester
There is also a Visitor Centre at the actual location – entitled Dynasty, Death and Discovery – where you can view the exact spot where Richard’s remains were buried, and a whole lot more. Click here for further details: Richard III