Richard III: York and Leicester should go ‘shares’ (From York Press)

Richard III: York and Leicester should go ‘shares’

11:36am Friday 15th February 2013 in Letters By Readers' letters

THE exciting events of last week which confirmed the whereabouts of King Richard III in Leicester have awakened huge interest in his story and his place in history.

While it is understandable that the people of Leicester would like to keep Richard’s remains, if things are looked at differently a wonderful opportunity could be opened to discover the truth about what really happened in this important period of the 15th century.

If we can develop ongoing co-operation with the people of Leicester, there is no reason why this story cannot be shared. I imagine the best skills of historic interpreters here and in Leicester being used to create a wonderful trail. Beginning in Yorkshire where Richard was born moving to Leicester where he died in battle, was buried and rediscovered.

If the story is created as one continuum set in two places then visitors and scholars could be encouraged to move between York and Leicester to experience the full story.

I would love to see this plan brought to fruition to include Richard’s remains returning to Yorkshire, and due respect given to the work undertaken in Leicester. If we adopt an attitude of co-operation, miracles can be achieved linking York and Leicester with pots of gold at both ends of the rainbow!

Sue Cooke, Former Sheriff of York, Windmill Rise, Holgate, York.

• I MUST say how upset I was by York Minster’s statement that they did not want the remains of King Richard III; this from an establishment who were quite happy in the 15th century to receive many gifts from Richard.

Among the gifts was one of Richard’s coronation cloaks of green satin embossed with a silver boar, a magnificent chalice studded with diamonds, rubies and pearls, and gold St Christopher cope clasps for the Dean and his Canons.

The Society of Friends has also given many gifts to the Minster in Richard’s name; we are also benefactors of York Minster.

A spokesman said, and I quote: “York Minster itself has a window in his memory, and many reminders of Richard’s place in our story.”

This window was paid for by kind donations from members of the society and by the late Dorothy Mitchell. Unfortunately when any of our members, many from abroad and from other parts of the country, ask in the Minster where the window is, no one seems to know quite where it is. It is situated in the Duke of Wellington Chapel.

I would ask York Minster to think again and to have a change of heart, and lay to rest an anointed King in the Minster.

Sandra Wadley, Chairman The Society of Friends of King Richard III, York.

• I WAS deeply disappointed that York Minister refused to support the campaign to have the remains of Richard III interred in York Minster. Clearly they are not Yorkist and do not understand the deep connection of Richard III with York or the history or significance of the Wars of the Roses, to the County of Yorkshire and the City of York.

Leicester had the chance to honour the last Yorkist King but chose not to do so, burying his body not in the abbey but in a nondescript church which they later demolished and built over – in sharp contrast to the reaction of the citizens of York on the news of his death.

Richard III did not choose to be buried in Leicester; his body was ignominiously paraded and dumped there after the Battle of Bosworth.

As a result, by not supporting the petition to return his remains to Yorkshire, the custodians of York Minister have added a final insult to not only a brave warrior king but also to all true Yorkshiremen, some of whose ancestors will have fought in the wars of the Roses.

Martyn Howie, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.