THE mayor of Leicester is reported as saying that “King Richard III’s remains would be interred in Leicester Cathedral, in whose shadow his remains have lain for 500 years”.

There is some exaggeration there. Leicester Cathedral dates only from 1927 when a new diocese was created and the parish church of St Martin was elevated to cathedral status.

So, King Richard has only been in the shadow of a cathedral from some 85 years.

He was not even buried in the shadow of the church as it was altered in several ways which would have affected its shadow.

The medieval plan of the church may have been retained, but the structure of the church building is largely Victorian, and its splendid spire was built in 1867.

Although Leicester was created a city in 1589, city status was not confirmed until 1919.

I feel that even though all towns and cities have changed tremendously in the past 500 years, King Richard’s remains should be interred here in York which he would have known far better than Leicester, and where his soul will be able to rest in peace, only a few miles from his son’s resting place.

David Bottomley, Brafferton, Helperby.


• RICHARD of York won’t be coming back to York. That’s a real shame.

After being “mislaid” for more than 500 years by the good people of Leicester, and then discovered buried beneath a car park, one wonders at the wisdom of this decision.

I’m sure there are a few people we’d all like to bury under a car park, but a former King of England isn’t one of them. It wouldn’t happen in York, I’m sure.

Perhaps cremation is the answer – then we could share.

Mrs K P Render, Back Lane, Helperby, York.


• WITH reference to Richard III, I am not Yorkshire born and bred, but I think this much-maligned King’s remains should be brought back to York to be buried in the Minster, no matter what the Minster authorities say.

Edward II and Richard II were both murdered but were treated with more respect than Richard III had at the hands of his enemies. Edward was buried in Gloucester Cathedral and Richard in Westminster Abbey, by the orders of Henry V.

I would also imagine if the city councillors go ahead with their plans to cut street lighting, road cleaning budgets and parks left unlocked at night, the city will be similar to the medieval York Richard knew and loved. Mrs M Robinson, Broadway, York.


• I’M A born and bred Lancastrian. After seeing the documentary The King In The Car Park, I saw there was a clear and immediate danger of the last Plantagenet King of England, the last King of England to die in battle with strong links to Yorkshire, being buried in Leicester Cathedral.

Leicester has no links to Richard III, bar the historical circumstance of where he died. So I went the Government’s online petition site to register that Richard III should be buried in York Minster, a right and fitting place for a Yorkshire king.

Imagine my shock to see only 10,887 people had registered for this. Don’t people in Yorkshire care where their last King is to be buried?

I’m sure he deserves a far more fitting burial than Leicester. This is not a Lancastrian having a go; just get your Yorkshire king back where he belongs.

David Atherton, Silverdale, Newcastle-under-Lyme.


• NOW it has been estimated by the wonders of modern technology that the skull unearthed is indeed Richard III, the remaining item on the agenda before this cold case can be laid to rest is a burial location.

Born in York of Lancastrian parents, I may declare an interest, although in Richard III’s case, raised and born under the White Rose county, there can be no alternative than a final resting place in York.

During medieval times, York was considered the capital of the north and second only to London.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.