Links to Photographs on this Site
Photos do take a while to download so please be patient when you click on a link. Some links are to one photo only, so take you immediately to the full size image. Some are to a collection of photos, so the link takes you to thumbnails of each photo first, which link to the large photo. All the large photos are compressed from the originals for faster downloading.
Alcester (Warwickshire)
Plaque relating to King Richard III's Royal Progress of 1483. Did he go through Alcester on his journey from Worcester to Warwick?Alnwick Castle (Northumberland)
Alnwick was one of three castles (Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh being the other two (see their entries)) which were held by the Lancastrians after Edward IV's victory at Towton in 1461. Over the next three years the castles changed hands repeatedly as the Yorkists led by Richard Neville and his brother John, Lord Montagu, sought to keep them in Yorkist hands. Warwick based himself at Warkworth Castle (see entry) and visited each of the three castles every day, a round trip of 60 miles. Finally in 1464 the Lancastrians were finally defeated following the battles of Hedgeley Moor (see entry) and Hexham.Arundel Castle (West Sussex)
Portrait of Richard III in the Library at Arundel Castle in 2019.Ashby de la Zouch (Leicestershire) - Castle (thumbnails)
Home of William Lord Hastings. To the existing manor house he added a chapel and two towers. One contained the kitchen and the other the living quarters. The Hastings' coat of arms appears in several places on the outside wall of this tower. His family continued to live here after his execution and he is buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor, next to Edward IV.Ashby St Ledgers (Northamptonshire) - Brass to William Catesby in the church.
Richard III's hard-working councillor William Catesby is buried in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Leodegarius under a wonderful brass. There are also brasses to his father, son and grandson. The Catesby family lived in the manor house next to the church. William was captured after the battle of Bosworth and beheaded in Leicester three days later. His lands were confiscated but restored to his son George in 1496.Dr. John Ashdown-Hill MBE
John Ashdown-Hill at the Worcestershire Branch’s stall at Tewkesbury Medieval Festival on Saturday 12 July 2014, promoting his new book The Third Plantagenet.Ashperton (Herefordshire)
In St Bartholomew's Church in Ashperton are the Ashperton Arms or Traitors' Monument. This photo has the creatures visible on the carving outlined.
Read all about the Traitor's Arms on the Murrey and Blue website.Astley (Warwickshire) - Astley Castle in 2004 and Astley Castle in 2012.
Astley Castle was built about 1266 near Nuneaton. Once a fortified manor house and still surrounded by a moat, Astley Castle was built during the reign of Edward I but dismantled upon the Duke of Suffolk's attainder. It was home to Elizabeth Woodville and Lady Jane Grey, who was beheaded after being Queen for only nine days. The Landmark Trust has done a fabulous job of building a holiday home inside the castle.St Mary's Church Astley contains the tomb and effigy (on the far left) of Cecily Bonneville, second wife of Sir Thomas Grey, first Marquis of Dorset, son of Elizabeth Woodville before her marriage to Edward IV. There are also the effigies of Sir Edward Grey and Elizabeth Talbot, wife of his son.
Atherstone (Warwickshire) - Merevale Church, Abbey, and Michael K. Jones' site for the battle of Bosworth. (thumbnails)
Baddesley Clinton (Warwickshire)
One of Baddesley Clinton's owners, John Brome, was murdered by the Earl of Warwick's steward in 1468. Brome's son murdered the steward a few years later. Two members of the Ferrers family, who owned Baddesley Clinton from 1517, died fighting for Richard III at Bosworth. The view inside the courtyard.Bamburgh Castle (Northumberland)
Bamburgh was the first castle in England to fall to cannon fire during the Wars of the Roses. Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, led the siege in 1464 to defeat the Lancastrians and keep the castle for the Yorkists. One of the Victorian towers built on the site of a medieval one is named the Neville Tower. The keep was built in the 12th century. See also the entries for Alnwick, Dunstanburgh, Hedgeley Moor, Norham and Warkworth.Banquet 1996 - Twentieth anniversary banquet of the Worcestershire Branch of the Richard III Society: one of the tables, Ralph and his first retirement present , the banquet (a montage of photos). A photograph of the room
Banquet 2011 - Twenty-fifth anniversary banquet of the Worcestershire Branch of the Richard III Society. Another montage of the banquet, A photograph of the room, Belbroughton Church Hall.
Banquet 2016 - Thirtieth anniversary banquet of the Worcestershire Branch of the Richard III Society. Another image of the hall. The raffle prizes, some decorations, the guest list.
Barnard Castle (Durham) - Barnard Castle (thumbnails)
Castle granted to Richard in 1475 as part of the Neville inheritance.Belbroughton (Worcestershire)
Holy Trinity Church. There's a white rose and a sun in splendour, the badge of Edward IV, in the remnants of medieval glass. I think they are probably there for the Virgin Mary rather than as Yorkist symbols.Beoley (Worcestershire)
St Leonard's Church houses the tomb of William Sheldon who fought for Richard at Bosworth. He survived, had his estates confiscated by Henry VII, but managed to get back into favour before he died. In the top of the north aisle window are two roundels of fifteenth century glass which show a York rose on a gold background and a sun in splendour. One of William Sheldon's descendants commissioned a portrait of Richard III which used to be in the Berger Collection in Denver Museum, America. A detailed article about the portrait appeared in the July 2002 issue of Dickon Independent, and also in the Spring 2002 issue of the Ricardian Register. It is now in the collection of Sir Tim Rice and was shown recently at Christie's in an exhibition entitled The Jubilee Line.Bewdley (Worcestershire)
Edward IV's 1472 Charter for the town is housed in the Town Clerk's Office. This was awarded because the Bewdley archers had fought for Richard Duke of Gloucester at Tewkesbury in 1471. Click here to see a picture of it. Richard also gave 20 marks towards the building of Bewdley Bridge in 1484. Both Edward IV then Richard III owned Tickenhill Palace (now Manor) as part of their Mortimer inheritance. St Leonard's Church, Ribbesford, Bewdley, shows the arms of Edward IV in stained glass, with a white boar below. (See Ribbesford below.)Blore Heath (Staffordshire) - Battle re-enactment from 2008 (thumbnails) and battle re-enactment from 2005, site and Mucklestone Church. (thumbnails)
Site of a Yorkist victory in a battle of the Wars of the Roses in 1459.Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre (Leicestershire) - Museum display and the battlefield area (thumbnails)
The sundial memorial on 22 August 2014 at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.Bosworth Virtual Medieval Festival 2020.
Bosworth 2019 (Leicestershire) - Re-enactment of the Battle of Bosworth on Sunday 18 August 2019 (thumbnails)
Broughton Castle (Oxfordshire)
A fantastic complete medieval moated manor house with beautiful gardens. In St Mary's Church, next to the car park, is the effigy of William Fiennes, 2nd Lord Saye and Sele, wearing a Yorkist collar. He was present at the battle of Northampton in 1460, accompanied Edward IV into exile in 1470, and died for him at the battle of Barnet in 1471. Details from The Wars of the Roses: A Field Guide and Companion by Peter Bramley (page 88). The effigy is labelled wrongly in the church.Bushley (Worcestershire)
Paynes Place, a fine late fifteenth century timber-framed building, was a possible refuge of Queen Margaret of Anjou after the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. Anne Neville, then widow of the Lancastrian Prince of Wales, would have been with her.
The Church of St Peter in Bushley was rebuilt in 1843 and contains the brass figures of Thomas Payne and his wife Ursula, fixed to the wall near the 12th century font. Thomas, a wool-stapler and supporter of the Earl of Warwick, built Paynes Place. In 1477 he obtained permission for the people of the village to bury their dead in the churchyard, instead of having to take corpses to Tewkesbury. He died in 1500 and was buried in the churchyard. Close-up of Ursula.
One of the houses in the village displays wooden carvings associated with the Earl of Warwick, which came originally from Paynes Place. The bear and ragged staff, and ox or dun cow, both complete with cobwebs!Cardiff (Wales) - Cardiff Castle, Cowbridge Castle and St John the Baptist Church Cardiff. (thumbnails)
The Octagon Tower and Hall Block of Cardiff Castle were built by Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, Richard III's grandfather. Inside where you can't take photos is a Victorian stained glass window of Richard and Anne, together with a portrait of Richard III.
A section of the south choir arcade is all that remains of the original stone building of St John the Baptist. It was sacked in 1404 during the rebellion of Owain Glyndwr, then it was reconstructed in the second half of the same century creating the fine perpendicular nave and tower which are such prominent features of the city today. It's likely that Anne Neville helped fund the rebuilding of the tower.
Richard III appointed a chaplain to Holy Cross Church Cowbridge.Carew Castle (Wales)
Rhys ap Thomas owned Carew Castle and built extensively there after the Battle of Bosworth.Carlisle (Cumbria) - Carlisle Castle (thumbnails)
Owned by Richard as Earl of Carlisle and a military post used to organise the north and Scottish border.Carmarthen Castle (Wales)
Edmund Tudor was captured at Carmarthen Castle by Yorkist forces led by William Herbert, and died there of the bubonic plague on 3 November 1456. His tomb is now in St David’s Cathedral.Carreg Cennen Castle (Wales) - Carreg Cennen Castle
The castle was slighted by the Yorkists in 1462. The castle existed in the thirteenth century and was owned by the Welsh, but nothing remains of this building and it was rebuilt by one of Edward I’s barons, who was given the castle in 1283. It sits on top of a limestone crag and dominates the surrounding area. After being dismantled in 1462 by 500 men with picks and crowbars, ownership was given to Sir Rhys ap Thomas, whose family held it till the end of the sixteenth century. The Vaughans took over, and gave it to Baron Cawdor in the nineteenth century. A massive programme of rebuilding ensured the survival of the castle.Castle Acre priory (Norfolk)
Castle Acre is about 14 miles from Castle Rising and well worth visiting for the ruins of the castle and the priory, both owned by English Heritage. The village itself is a rare survival of a Norman planned settlement. I don’t know of any Ricardian connection. Entry to the castle ruins is free. There is only a small car park there. It was built soon after the conquest by William de Warenne and the remaining earthworks are among the best in the country. There is a charge for the priory if not a member of English Heritage. These ruins are very extensive and dramatic and date back to 1090. It was the home of the first Cluniac monks in England. There is a car park and toilets at the priory and plenty of space to picnic.Castle Rising Castle (Norfolk)
Edward and Richard stayed here on 24 June 1469 on their way from Walsingham to Fotheringhay, and Richard wrote his earliest surviving letter from the castle asking for a loan. The Norfolk Branch of the Richard III Society presented a copy of the National Portrait Gallery portrait of Richard III to English Heritage in 1998. It was on display for a while but is now elsewhere (June 2020).Chaddesley Corbett (Worcestershire)
St Cassian's Church. The manor of Chaddesley Corbett was owned by Richard, Earl of Warwick. The dedication is very unusual. There are three possible candidates: the Christian schoolmaster killed by his pupils during the Roman persecutions; the abbot of St Victor, Marseilles; or the Greek saint. There's no connection with Richard III other than the fact that the church existed in his time.Chepstow Castle (Wales)
During the Wars of the Roses (1455-85), Chepstow Castle provided refuge to Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers, and his son, Sir John Woodville after the Yorkist defeat at the Battle of Edgecote in 1469. The Earl of Warwick pursued them to Chepstow where the garrison surrendered the unpopular Woodvilles without a fight. They were taken to Kenilworth Castle and executed on 12 August 1469, although the Coventry Leet Book p. 346 suggests they were captured at Chepstow but were executed 12 August at 'Gosford Green' Coventry. Thanks to Lynda Pidgeon for her help with this.College of Arms (London)
Richard III founded the College of Arms in 1484. Here's the Letter Patent in modern English. The College of Arms.Croft Castle (Herefordshire) - Sir Richard Croft's tomb at Croft Castle. (thumbnails)
Sir Richard was a staunch Yorkist. Croft Castle is owned by the National Trust. As well as the castle and church there are extensive grounds.
See also the re-enactment of the battle of Mortimer's Cross at Croft Castle in 2016.Crooked Billet (North Yorkshire)
The Crooked Billet is an excellent pub close to the Battlefield of Towton and Saxton Church, and just over the road from Lead Chapel. It has a display about the battle inside and a map outside. See also the entries for Lead Chapel, Saxton Church and Towton.Croyland Abbey (Lincolnshire)
Croyland or Crowland as it is known today. The Croyland Chronicle and its continuations go up to 1486 so are of immense interest to Ricardians. Richard spent the night of 26 or 27 June 1469 here with his brother Edward before moving onto Fotheringhay Castle, embarking from the triangular bridge which once spanned the River Welland. As king he annulled a bill from the previous parliament and allowed the inhabitants of Croyland to continue rearing swans.Dartmouth Castle (Devon)
Edward IV mentioned on information panel in the castle in connection with funds for a chain across the River Dart to stop invasion.Dunstanburgh Castle (Northumberland)
Dunstanburgh was one of three castles (Bamburgh and Alnwick being the other two) which were held by the Lancastrians after Edward IV's victory at Towton in 1461. Over the next three years the castles changed hands repeatedly as the Yorkists led by Richard Neville and his brother John, Lord Montagu, sought to keep them in Yorkist hands. Finally in 1464 the Lancastrians were finally defeated following the battles of Hedgeley Moor and Hexham. The great gatehouse was begun in 1313, the first year of construction at the castle. See also the entries for Alnwick, Bamburgh, Hedgeley Moor, Norham and Warkworth.Elmley Castle (Worcestershire)
Owned by George, Duke of Clarence. (No picture).Etal Castle (Northumberland)
Etal was owned by Sir Robert Manners who died at Towton in 1461 fighting for the Lancastrians. His grandson George married the niece of the late King Edward IV.Exeter (Devon)
This is part of a very long cushion in Exeter Cathedral. The start date for a history of Devon, Exeter and England is 1478 with the appointment of Bishop Peter Courtenay. One roundel commemorates the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower. Another refers to Bishop Courtenay joining a plot against Richard III - which failed - and the bishop fled to France (Brittany?) Then comes the beheading of Sir Thomas St Leger (the king’s brother-in-law) and Sir John Rame. Next Richard III visited Exeter and was royally entertained in the palace of the fugitive bishop! This was 8 - 14 November 1483.Ian Churchward of The Legendary Ten Seconds supplied me with some more photos of the cushion, showing George Neville, brother of the Kingmaker, who became Bishop of Exeter in 1458 (until 1465), Edward IV, the Wars of the Roses, the white and red roses traditionally associated with the Houses of York and Lancaster, the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower, and the death of King Richard III at Bosworth Field.
Photographs of the cushion appear in this video of The Mystery of the Princes by The Legendary Ten Seconds.
Ian Churchward also sent photos from the Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel of this Richard III window based on Shakespeare's play. The hotel is opposite the central railway station in Queen Street. Close up of the people in the window and the bottom part with the quote from Shakespeare.
Ian Churchward sent this photo of the gatehouse to the Bishop's Palace, which Richard III would have gone through when he visited in 1483. The palace is next to the cathedral.
In a path next to the cathedral, is this Henry VII plaque, also supplied by Ian Churchward to whom I owe many thanks.
Fotheringhay (Northamptonshire) - Church of St Mary and All Saints. (thumbnails)
Richard was born on October 2nd 1452 at Fotheringhay Castle, and probably lived there until he moved to Ludlow in 1459. His parents and brother Edmund are buried in the church. The Richard III Society holds a carol service in the church every December.Gloucester (Gloucestershire) - Gloucester Cathdral and city. (thumbnails)
Richard III was Duke of Gloucester and his coat of arms is on St Michael's Tower in the city centre, to commemorate his granting a charter to the town on a visit in 1483. Gloucester kept out the Lancastrian army in 1471 so they were forced to march on to Tewkesbury where they were defeated by Edward IV's Yorkist army and Richard his brother. The charter is in the museum and you need to make an appointment to see it.Goodrich (Herefordshire) - Goodrich Castle. (thumbnails)
Much of the building is still intact, apart from roofs and floors, and it's well worth a visit. It was a principal residence of the Talbot family during the Wars of the Roses. James, 11th Lord Berkeley, and his four sons, were imprisoned here by the Talbots, sometime in the 1440's. Eleanor Talbot married Edward IV.Grafton (Worcestershire)
The home of Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother Thomas who also fought for Richard III at the battle of Bosworth and survived to cause further trouble for Henry VII later on. (No picture).Great Witley (Worcestershire)
Woodbury Hill nearby is where the Duke of Buckingham's rebellion of 1483 ended as all his troops deserted him. (No picture).Guy's Cliffe (Warwickshire) - Guy's Cliffe and St Mary Magdalen Chapel. (thumbnails)
Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, founded a chantry chapel here in 1423. He provided money to pay for two priests, to rebuild the chapel in about 1430, and to provide decent accommodation for the priests. The priests' job was to say a daily Mass for the souls of the Beauchamp family, including Richard Beauchamp after his death in 1439. John Rous became the chantry priest in 1445. Whilst there he produced his History of the Earls of Warwick, often called the Rous Roll, which contains drawings of Richard III, his Queen Anne Neville, their son Prince Edward, and glowing references to Richard and his reign. But when Henry VII came to the throne, Rous revised his Roll, removing the pictures of Richard and his family and the glowing description. He replaced it with the first defamatory description of Richard, and the legend of the evil Richard III was born. Fortunately for us one copy produced before 1485 survives, so we know the truth. Rous also produced a Life of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, containing 55 drawings.Haddon Hall (Derbyshire)
A beautiful medieval manor house, mostly built by the Vernons who owned it from 1180 to 1565. The tapestry in the banqueting hall showing the royal arms of England was made during the reign of Edward IV.Hanley Castle (Worcestershire)
Richard's father-in-law, Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, better known as the Kingmaker, owned Hanley Castle before his death in 1471. All that remains now of the castle are earthworks. In those days Hanley Castle had a busy quay on the River Severn. Richard married Warwick's daughter Anne Neville in 1472. Richard III's Great Aunt, Constance of York, also lived at Hanley Castle. Parts of St Mary's church are medieval.Harewood Church All Saints (Yorkshire)
The Harewood tombs are outstanding and made from alabaster from Chellaston in Derbyshire.
Sir William Gascoigne (died 1487) who married Margaret Percy, daughter of the third Earl of Northumberland and Lord of Gawthorpe (pre-Harewood). Fought at Towton 1461. Was with Richard Duke of Gloucester on his Scottish campaign 1482. Possibly at Bosworth. Made peace with Tudors.
Sir William Gascoigne (died 1487?) who married Margaret Clarell of Aldwark, Yorkshire. A Lancastrian, rather surprisingly pardoned by Edward IV 1461.
Edward Redman (died 1510) who married Elizabeth Huddleston of Cumberland (died 1529). He was a prominent Yorkist who fulfilled a number of posts for his king. He appears in the general pardon early in the reign of Henry VII. One source says that Edward Redman fought at Bosworth, as his father-in-law, Sir John Huddleston did. Edward Redman made his peace with the Tudors and lay low for the rest of his life. He was entrusted with the office of Sheriff of Cumberland and Westmorland somewhat oddly in 1485. His tomb reveals his change of loyalty. He wears a Lancastrian collar, with roses along its length. To do otherwise was still too dangerous as late as 1510.Harlech Castle (Gwynedd)
The castle was recaptured from the Lancastrians by the Herbert brothers, William and Richard, in 1468. See also Raglan Castle.Harvington (Worcestershire)
Richard owned Harvington when he was Lord of the Manor whilst Duke of Gloucester. (No picture).Hedgeley Moor (Northumberland)
The Battle of Hedgeley Moor was fought on 25 April 1464 when a force led by John, Lord Montagu, soundly defeated the Lancastrians. Please excuse the dirty nature of the second board - we cleaned it as best we could! The small battlefield park lies on the west side of the A697 Morpeth to Wooler road, just before the right hand side junction with the B6346 to Alnwick, and is difficult to spot as the sign is low down and overgrown. The boards are inside the battlefield park together with two stones marking Percy's Leap. See also the entries for Alnwick, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Norham and Warkworth.
Percy's Cross is half a mile south of the park on the east side of the A697 and on a fast bend. It stands back from the road in the grounds of a cottage but can be accessed from the wooded area to the left of the cross.Hellens (Herefordshire) - Hellens, a medieval manor house, and the Church of St Bartholomew, Much Marcle, including the tomb of Blanche Mortimer, a daughter of Roger, the 1st Earl of March. (thumbnails)
Hellens, a medieval manor house in Much Marcle, 3 miles from Ledbury.Henley-in-Arden (Warwickshire)
Richard III was Lord of the Manor of Henley-in-Arden while King of England, and his name appears on the board in the Guildhall.Hereford (Herefordshire) - Hereford Cathedral and some pictures of the old parts of town. (thumbnails)
Edward IV founded the cloisters which are now used as living accommodation. The Stanbury Chantry Chapel dates from 1470.Hever Castle (Kent)
A 16th century portrait of Richard III in the Long Gallery at Hever Castle from 2 October 2019, the 567th anniversary of Richard's birthday.Kenilworth Castle (Warwickshire)
Kenilworth Castle was Crown property in the fifteenth century and both Edward IV and Richard III spent money on its maintenance. Richard stayed here in 1483 and reputedly gave a stone archway from the castle to the owner of Maxstoke Castle.Kilpeck Church (Herefordshire) - The arch over the south door of St Mary and St David, showing the magnificent carving.
Kilpeck is a prime example of the Herefordshire School of Sculpture. There are 85 corbels on the outside. The ruins of the castle are nearby.King's Lynn (Norfolk) - King's Lynn featuring buildings which were there in the 15th century (thumbnails)
King's Lynn was just Lynn or Bishop's Lynn in 1470 when Edward IV and Richard Duke of Gloucester had to flee by boat on 2 October (Richard's 18th birthday). They had previously visited on 26 June 1469 on their journey from Walsingham to Fotheringhay.Kington Church (Herefordshire) - Thomas Vaughan of Hergest Court and his wife, Elen Gethin. Their alabaster tomb is in the parish church of St Mary the Virgin. He was killed fighting for the Yorkists at the battle of Edgecot near Banbury in 1469. Hergest Court, which dates from 1266, is now a farmhouse and garden centre.
Kirby Muxloe (Leicestershire) - Castle (thumbnails)
Another home for William Lord Hastings which was not completed due to his execution in 1483. Work started in 1480 and used local brick with stone for windows and doors. It is surrounded by a moat.Lanercost Priory (Cumbria)
The ruins of Lanercost Priory contain the tomb of Lord Thomas Dacre and his wife Lady Elizabeth. Lord Thomas fought for Richard III at Bosworth. He died in 1525. His father Sir Humphrey Dacre served King Edward IV and attended Richard III's coronation. He died on 30 May 1485.Lead Chapel (North Yorkshire)
Just over the road from the Crooked Billet, Lead Chapel is a beautiful little church, which existed when the Battle of Towton was fought nearby on 29 March 1461. The Yorkshire Branch has a dedicated window in the church. See also the entries for the Crooked Billet, Saxton Church and Towton.Leicester - Greyfriars Dig and Richard III in Leicester (thumbnails)
Reburial week in Leicester for Richard III from 22 - 27 March 2015. (thumbnails)
Richard III and Leicester - photos taken 31 March 2016. (thumbnails)
Leicester mural on King Richards Road May 2021 celebrating Richard III.
Leicester sculpture of Richard's arm and crown made by topiary artist Steve Manning out of 1,000 willow whips woven around a steel frame. It was inspired by the Richard III Statue which was given to the City of Leicester by the Richard III Society in 1980. If you look closely, you can see part of the mural in the picture so it shows quite a Ricardian theme on King Richards Road.Leominster (Herefordshire) - Leominster Medieval Fair and re-enactment of the Battle of Mortimer's Cross, held on June 5th and 6th 2004 (thumbnails).
Leominster Medieval Fair and re-enactment of the Battle of Mortimer's Cross, held on June 7th and 8th 2003 (thumbnails).
The Grange at Leominster houses a tapestry of the history of the town, including the Battle of Mortimer's Cross.Losecoat Field (Rutland) - The Battle of Losecoat Field
The plaque describing the battle which can be found on the opposite side of the A1 to the wood called Bloody Oaks, on the lane heading for Pickworth. Just outside Pickworth Church is a stone memorial by Tony Rawlings: "Losecote Remembered 12 March 1470".Lubenham (Leicestershire)
Annual scarecrow festival Saturday September 7 2013 in Lubenham. The first picture shows the 'scarecrow' remains of Richard III, the next one is the 'newspaper' headline and the last one is the king himself with a little sign reading 'London or York?'Ludlow Castle and St Laurence's Church (Shropshire)
In 1459 Richard spent several months at the castle while his father the Duke of York made it his headquarters. In October he was captured, together with his mother, brother George and sister Margaret, when the Lancastrians sacked the castle and town. The Yorkist leaders all escaped.
When Edward IV, the Duke of York's eldest son, became king in 1461, Ludlow Castle became crown property. Edward sent his son there in 1473 as head of the Council of the Welsh Marches. The Prince of Wales lived there until he became Edward V in 1483. More images of the castle and church (thumbnails).
The Ludlow Castle Heraldic Roll is over fifteen feet long and four inches wide. It shows the coats of arms of the Royal owners of Ludlow Castle up to and including Elizabeth I and thereafter the coats of arms of nine of the Presidents of the Council of Wales and the Marches from 1478 to 1570 and twenty two of the Council Members in 1570. It was commissioned by Sir Henry Sidney, Lord President of the Council of Wales and the Marches, and completed in around 1574.Malvern (Worcestershire)
Great Malvern Priory has a beautiful west window given by Richard and his wife Anne, when he was Duke of Gloucester and Lord of Malvern Chase. It is filled with full length figures of saints.
The Duke and Duchess' coats of arms probably occupied the two irregularly shaped openings at the tops of the main side divisions of the west window, but are now elsewhere. High up in the clerestory glass on the south side of the quire you can see Richard's arms with boar supporters - remember to bring binoculars! A fragment of the arms of Anne Neville, Duchess of Gloucester, with the remains of two white bear supporters to the shield is in the window to the right of the Henry VII window, along with many other fragments of medieval glass.
In the tracery lights can be seen the shield of Richard Duke of York.
You can read about both priories in an article in Dickon Independent our branch magazine.
You can read about our visit in an article in Dickon Independent our branch magazine.Little Malvern Priory contains a portrait gallery of Edward IV's family in the east window. Bishop Alcock, who was tutor to Edward Prince of Wales, (Edward V), restored the church between 1480 and 1482, and installed this window. This statue was made by James Richardson and given to the Priory in 1982 by Mr & Mrs T M Berington of Little Malvern Court to mark the quincentenary of the restoration of the Priory by Bishop Alcock.
The figures represent from left to right - Richard, Duke of York (missing); Edward, Prince of Wales (Edward V); King Edward IV (missing); Queen Elizabeth Woodville (now headless); Princess Elizabeth of York and her sisters, the Princesses Cecily, Anne and Katherine; Bishop John Alcock, tutor to the Prince of Wales (missing).
In the tracery lights is some heraldic stained glass: - top left, the arms of Edward, Prince of Wales (Edward V), next to those of his father, Edward IV. Top right is the coat of arms of Bishop John Alcock, a mitre and cocks' heads.
Alcock's dedication of the window is now lost. It said "Pray for the soul of John Alcock, Bishop of Worcester, who rebuilt this church...formerly chancellor of England, and president of the council of King Edward the fourth".
There used to be various other coats of arms of interest in the windows of the church.Martley (Worcestershire)
St Peter's Church houses the tomb of Sir Hugh Mortimer - a Yorkist (note the collar of suns and roses), who died in 1460, after the battle of Wakefield. You can read all about Sir Hugh and the church in a book on the history of the church: St Peter's Church Martley A History by Jeremy Campbell Grant.
Sir Hugh is a descendant of Sir Roger Mortimer of Chirk, a cadet branch of the Mortimer family of Wigmore.
The advowson of the church was owned by the Abbot of St Mary and All Saints Fotheringhay between 1415 and 1554.Maxstoke Castle (Warwickshire)
A wonderful surviving example of a moated and fortified manor house. Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, owned it until he was executed on 2 November 1483 for rebelling against King Richard III. It was then owned by the King who supposedly visited on his way to Nottingham in 1485 and ordered bits to be taken down and taken to Nottingham to use at the castle but this never happened.Middleham (North Yorkshire) - Castle and Church (thumbnails)
Richard's home for many years. Richard's standard flying at half-mast on Wednesday 22 August 2018 at Middleham Castle to mark the anniversary of his death in battle at Bosworth Field. The standard was given to Middleham Castle by the Richard III Society on 2 October 2016.
Geoffrey Wheeler alerted me to this in the Ricardian, volume XXX, 2020, page 62. It’s in a long article by Anne F. Sutton and Livia Visser-Fuchs about Queen Anne Neville. In footnote 207 they quote from the version of the Rous Roll rewritten after King Richard III's death, with Prince Edward of Middleham “taken with honour to a grave at Middleham”.Middleton Tower (Norfolk)
Middleton Tower is a private residence. It was built in the 14th century and extended in the 15th. The heiress Elizabeth married Anthony Woodville after 1462 making him Lord Scales. He became 2nd Earl Rivers after the execution of his father in 1469. The large gatehouse remains, with octagonal turrets at each corner. Middleton Tower is located at Tower End, off Tower Lane, 6 miles south-east of King's Lynn, on the A47.Minster Lovell (Oxfordshire) - Minster Lovell church and ruins of the hall.
St Kenelm's Church was given to Eton College by Henry VI and still belongs to the college. The tomb in the church belongs to William Lovell, Francis' grandfather, who built the hall. Francis Lovell was one of Richard III's best friends and member of his council. Richard visited Minster Lovell Hall when king. Francis survived Bosworth and fought Henry VII at Stoke but disappeared afterwards.Morley Church (Derbyshire)
The Church of St Matthew has an excellent display of medieval glass, including a lot transferred from Dale Abbey at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Among the many medieval monuments is a brass to John Sacheverell, who died at Bosworth Field.
There are also brasses to Henry Stathum, Lord of the Manor of Morley and father to John's wife Joan,and to Thomas Stathum, the previous Lord of the Manor.Mortimer's Cross (Herefordshire) - Battle site, church, monument and pub (thumbnails).
A collection of photographs featuring the battle site of 2nd February 1461, the church at Aymestrey, the monument to the battle and the pub called the Mortimer's Cross Inn.
Battle re-enactment 2016 at Croft Castle. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2004 at Leominster. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2003 at Leominster. (thumbnails)Much Marcle (Herefordshire) - see under Hellens
Much Wenlock (Shropshire) - Wenlock Priory and the Guildhall, and thumbnails of the Priory and Guildhall.
Edward IV granted a charter to Much Wenlock in 1468, and this is on display in the Guildhall. It was also signed by Richard, Duke of Gloucester.Newport (Monmouthshire)
Visit the Newport Medieval Ship Centre to see conservation progress on the remains of this unique 15th century ship, possibly owned by Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick.
Also Tredegar House owned by the National Trust has a portrait of Richard III on display in the New Hall dating from around 1618. It's on loan from Dulwich Picture Gallery. It was commissioned by the founder of Dulwich College, Edward Alleyn (1566-1626) to furnish his own home and as an educative tool for the pupils of his college. Today it is part of one of the largest surviving sets of royal portraits dating from this period.Norbury Church (Derbyshire)
The Church of St Mary and St Barlok houses the tomb of Ralph Fitzherbert, twelfth Lord of the Manor, and his wife Elizabeth Marshall. He is wearing a Yorkist collar of suns and roses with a boar pendant for King Richard III. He built the north aisle of the church. His father Nicholas built the south tower, nave and chapel east of the tower. His collar of suns and roses has a lion pendant for King Edward IV. Details of both tombs.Norham Castle (Northumberland)
Norham stands on the English-Scottish border and was attacked in 1463 by an invasion force from Scotland raised by Queen Margaret of Anjou. The castle held out until relieved by men led by the Kingmaker and his brother Lord Montagu. In April 1464 when Montagu was on his way to Norham to take Scottish envoys to meet Edward IV in York, he defeated the Lancastrians at the Battle of Hedgeley Moor. After his victory he continued to Norham Castle and escorted the envoys back to York.
Edward IV ordered repairs to the castle in 1476 and the delivery of bombards and cannon to Norham in 1480. See also the entries for Alnwick, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Hedgeley Moor, and Warkworth.North Nibley (Gloucestershire) - Site of battle of Nibley Green, and church.
One of the lesser battles of the Wars of the Roses, the battle of Nibley Green, was fought near here on 20th March 1470. It was a private war between the Talbots and the Berkeleys over the Berkeley inheritance. William Lord Berkeley built the south aisle of St Martin's Church at North Nibley as thanks for his victory.Norton (Worcestershire)
The stone lectern from St Egwin's church. It is carved from Purbeck marble. It was found near the site of Evesham Abbey and is thought to have been made in the twelfth century.Oakham (Rutland)
Oakham Castle (all that remains is this great hall) and some of the horseshoes displayed inside. The most remarkable is that of Edward IV. This is the oldest of the horseshoes. In 1470 Edward IV fought the Battle of Losecoat Field. Putting a horseshoe into Oakham Castle was a reminder of the King’s authority in the Earl of Warwick’s lands. Every peer of the realm gives a horseshoe to the Lord of the Manor of Oakham when they first visit the town.Oddingley (Worcestershire)
Richard's father, the Duke of York, gave a window to St James' Church when he laid claim to the throne in 1460. Oddingley was owned by him. This window shows the royal arms of England impaling (next to) those of Neville, for his wife, Cecily Neville. The royal arms are shown without a difference to those of the king, so the window must have been installed between October and December 1460, when the Duke laid claim to the throne. There is also a white rose on the fifteenth century font, and a Yorkist fetterlock.Oxburgh Hall (Norfolk) - Photographs of Oxburgh Hall. (thumbnails)
Now owned by the National Trust, Oxburgh Hall was built by Sir Edmund Bedingfeld in 1482. He received his retrospective royal planning permission from Edward IV on 3 July 1482. A committed Yorkist, but he didn't go to Bosworth, choosing to make his peace with Henry VII.Pembroke Castle (Wales)
Pembroke Castle was captured by William Herbert in 1461. He was given the castle by Edward IV and made guardian of Henry Tudor, who was born in the castle on 28 January 1457.
In 1485 it was held by Richard Williams, loyal to Richard III. He told the king of Tudor’s arrival in Wales in August.Penrith (Cumbria) - Penrith Castle and town (thumbnails)
Little remains now of the building work Richard had done at the castle.Pirton (Worcestershire)
St Peter's Church Pirton. Board showing all the rectors including the reigns of Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III.Queenhill (Worcestershire) - Photographs of Ripple and Queenhill Churches.
Raglan Castle (Gwent)
The castle was home to Sir William Herbert, Edward IV's Chief Justice and Chamberlain of Wales. He had custody of Henry Tudor and was executed by the Earl of Warwick in 1469.
His son, also William Herbert, married Richard III's illegitimate daughter Katherine in 1484. Extensive ruins remain and it is a lovely site to visit.
Machicolations. A gargoyle. Carved stonework. Fifteenth century corbels in the chapel, carved in the shape of human heads.Ribbesford (Worcestershire)
In the window at the west end of the south aisle in St Leonard's Church are the Arms of England quartered with those of France and supported by two falcons. These are the Royal Arms of Edward IV who granted borough status to Bewdley in 1472. Below can be seen a boar, the badge of Edward's brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester.Richard III - The Portrait of Richard III which used to be in the Berger Collection in the Denver Art Museum in America. It is now owned by Sir Tim Rice and was shown recently at Christie's in an exhibition called The Jubilee Line.
The reverse of the third Great Seal dating from about 1472. Used by Richard III and Edward IV.
Richard III's reconstructed head on display in Gloucester Museum on Saturday 29 March 2014, and in Sudeley Castle on Monday 14 April 2014.
Richard III's funeral crown designed and commissioned by John Ashdown-Hill was on display in Tewkesbury Abbey for the first time on Saturday 3 May 2014.
Richard III banners. The Arms of England and Richard III's own banner of the White Boar were displayed by his tomb during the service in Leicester Cathedral. The banners were donated to the cathedral by the Richard III Society.
Reburial week in Leicester for Richard III from 22 - 27 March 2015.
Portraits of Richard III presented to The Cramond Inn Edinburgh by artist Cynthia Waterman and Philippa Langley MBE.
Richmond (North Yorkshire) - Richmond Castle (thumbnails)
The Honour and Castle of Richmond was held by George Duke of Clarence until his death, then granted to Richard Duke of Gloucester.Ripple (Worcestershire) - Photographs of Queenhill and Ripple Churches.
Robert Hamblin Award 2020
Winner of the Richard III Society's Robert Hamblin Award for 2020: The 2020 Robert Hamblin Award for exceptional service to the Society, in recognition of her enduring dedication to the Ricardian cause, unstinting efforts on behalf of her local Branch members and her work to increase the visibility of the Society to a wider audience. With the grateful thanks of the President, Board and members of the Richard III Society.Rous Lench (Worcestershire)
Carving of Christ above south door of Rous Lench Church.Rous Roll John Rous working on the roll. Queen Anne, Richard III and Edward Prince of Wales from the Rous Roll. Queen Anne from the Rous Roll.
St Davids Bishops' Palace (Wales)
The ruins of the bishops' palace stand next to the cathedral.St Davids Cathedral (Wales)
Thomas Langton was Bishop of St Davids from 1483 - 1485 and accompanied Richard III on his Royal Progress after his coronation. While in York he wrote to his good friend the Prior of Christ Church Canterbury, praising King Richard III.Saxton Church (North Yorkshire)
The churchyard contains the tomb surrounded by iron railings of Ralph Lord Dacre of Gilsland. He was a Lancastrian who died from an arrow wound at the Battle of Towton and was buried here with his horse. On the north side of his tomb is a memorial dedicated in April 2005 to the remains of 24 men killed at the battle whose bodies were excavated at Towton Hall in 1996. See also the entries for the Crooked Billet, Lead Chapel and Towton.Sheriff Hutton (Yorkshire)
The Church of St Helen and the Holy Cross contains the cenotaph of a young member of the Neville family of Raby and NOT Edward of Middleham, Richard III's only legitimate son. His body may be at Coverham Abbey though the site of the grave is unknown. The monument was restored in 1985. Edward was about 8 years old when he died at Middleham Castle in April 1484. His parents were at Nottingham Castle when they heard the news of his death.
Pauline Routh and Richard Knowles detailed their research into the cenotaph in The Ricardian volume V number 70 September 1980, and further debate appeared in numbers 71, 72 and 73. They published The Sheriff Hutton Alabaster: A Reassessment in 1981. Dr Jane Crease wrote two articles on The Sheriff Hutton Monument in the Ricardian Bulletin for September 2009 and December 2009, and Peter Hammond also discusses it in his book The Children of Richard III (2018).The ruins of the castle, once the headquarters of the Council of the North, stand on private land.
Sizergh Castle (Cumbria)
Sir Thomas Strickland of Sizergh Castle fought for Edward IV at the battle of Tewkesbury and for Richard III at the battle of Bosworth.Staindrop Church of St Mary (Durham)
St Mary's Church houses the tomb of Richard III's maternal grandparents, Ralph Neville, first Earl of Westmorland, with his wives, Margaret Stafford, daughter of Hugh, Earl of Stafford, and Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt and half sister to Henry IV. Joan Beaufort was the mother of Cecily Neville, Richard's mother.
Stamps - Royal Mail Stamps Richard III, Edward IV, the Battle of Tewkesbury, Heraldry, Bosworth 500th Anniversary First Day Cover and two stamps commemorating William Caxton
Wars of the Roses stamps by Graham Turner issued June 2021. The Battle of Bosworth and Battle of Tewkesbury featured on the second class stamps.
Stanford-on-Teme (Worcestershire)
St Mary's Church houses an alabaster monument to Sir Humphrey Salway and his wife Joyce. He was marshal of the court to Henry VI and later associated with George Duke of Clarence, brother of Richard III and Edward IV. (No picture).Stokesay Castle (Shropshire)
Sir Richard Ludlow of Stokesay and Hodnet was a Knight of the Bath in 1475 and active in parliament, as a sheriff, and as a JP during the Wars of the Roses. Stokesay Castle showing the gatehouse at the front and the hall from the back.Sudeley Castle (Gloucestershire)
The banqueting hall built by Richard III at Sudeley Castle.
A bust of Eleanor Butler from the castle display, 15 June 2021.
A bust of the head of Richard III commissioned by Lady Ashcombe and based on contemporary portraiture of the king as displayed (the NPG portrait). 15 June 2021.Tewkesbury (Gloucestershire)
Tewkesbury Abbot's Lodging, the birthplace of Isabel and George of Clarence's son Edward.
The coat of arms of Richard Duke of Gloucester proudly flying from the home of two members of the Richard III Society Worcestershire Branch.
The abbey on Thursday 27 February 2020 surrounded by flood water.
The abbey houses the remains of Richard's brother George Duke of Clarence, and his wife Isabel Neville. The bones are being re-examined - see John Ashdown-Hill's book The Third Plantagenet. The crypt is open to the public over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend but you can't take photos.
A plaque marks the entrance to the vault, but shows the wrong dates of death. The arms of Isabel Neville with a white rose in the centre and George Duke of Clarence appear at the ends of the plaque.
There is also a plaque to Edward of Lancaster, Anne Neville's first husband, in the choir.
The back of the sacristy door is covered with armour found on the battlefield, though there are now doubts about this.
Yorkist suns in splendour decorate the ceiling to celebrate the victory against the Lancastrians.
Also in the abbey but not on display are a sword hilt and gunstone from the battle, and some medieval daggers.
The abbey also owns an indenture from King Henry VII to say masses for members of his family killed at the battle, and a land claim dating from the time of Richard III.
In 2017 the Tewkesbury Battlefield Society produced a leaflet giving information about the sites of burials and memorials in the abbey.
The battle of Tewkesbury was fought on May 4th 1471 and the Yorkists were the winners. A major re-enactment and medieval fair is held every year on the second weekend in July. This plaque is on land behind the abbey. This plaque is on the Battle Trail Walk. In 2017 the Tewkesbury Battlefield Society produced a leaflet to accompany the new battle trail information boards.
This horse harness pendant bearing the arms of Margaret of Anjou was found in Tewkesbury.
The Arrivall commemorates the battle and was formally dedicated and given to the town of Tewkesbury on Sunday 4 May 2014, the anniversary of the battle. The plaque was unveiled first, then in the Gupshill Manor speakers, including Phil Bews the sculptor, told us the history of the project, before Robert Hardy, Patron of Tewkesbury Battlefield Society, formally presented The Arrivall to the Mayor of Tewkesbury.
The two horses are Victor (representing the victorious Yorkists) and Vanquished (representing the losing Lancastrians). Victor's rider, helmet and close-up of rider and pennant.
Vanquished's pennant, and the route taken by both armies before the Battle of Tewkesbury.Three standards hanging in the Gupshill Manor car park on 4 May 2014 - Richard III's boar, Edward IV's rose en soleil and Hasting's badge.
You can visit the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival online for 2021 because of coronavirus.
Battle re-enactment 2019 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday July 13 and Sunday July 14. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2018 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday July 14 and Sunday July 15. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2017 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday July 8. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2016 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday July 9. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2014 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday July 12. (thumbnails)
Branch display only Saturday 13 July 2013 at medieval fayre. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2012 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday July 14. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2011 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday July 9. (thumbnails)
Branch display only Saturday 10 July 2010 at medieval fayre. (thumbnails)
One photo only from 11 July 2009, showing the King and the Duke of Gloucester.
Battle re-enactment 2008 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday 12 July. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2007 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday and Sunday, 7 and 8 July. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2006 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday 8 July. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2005 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday and Sunday, 9 and 10 July. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2004 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday 10 July. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2003 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday and Sunday, 12 and 13 July. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2002 and branch display at medieval fayre on Saturday and Sunday, 13 and 14 July. (thumbnails)
Battle re-enactment 2001 on Saturday 14 July. (thumbnails)
Tewkesbury Abbey was saved from destruction by Henry VIII's men as it was bought by the townspeople.
Two of the standards which can be seen hanging from shops and houses in Tewkesbury when the re-enactment is on: the white boar of Richard III and the Yorkist Rose en Soleil.
The Museum in Barton Street contains a display on the battle, including a diorama made by Geoffrey Wheeler of the Richard III Society, and information panels about the battle and the heraldry of those involved.
Karen Sarkar's painting 'Melee: Tewkesbury, 4 May 1471'. It can be seen in Tewkesbury Museum, telephone 01684 292901, or email admin@tewkesburymuseum.org. Also in the Worcestershire Branch's display at Tewkesbury.
Ye Olde Black Bear pub existed when the battle was fought, and has Warwick's emblem of the bear and ragged staff on its wall.
The Royal Hop Pole in Tewkesbury contains a medieval hall, discovered during renovations, and two bedrooms have medieval wall paintings.
Towton Battlefield (North Yorkshire)
The Battle of Towton was fought on Palm Sunday, 29 March 1461 and was a decisive Yorkist victory. A cross by the roadside marks the site of the battle. The anniversary of the battle is commemorated each year and the Yorkshire Branch of the Richard III Society puts a dedication on the cross. There is a battlefield trail to walk round with 10 information boards describing each stage of the battle. See also the entries for the Crooked Billet, Lead Chapel and Saxton Church.
The following photos of the Battle Trail Boards were taken on Friday 30th May 2014.
Battle Trail Board 1; Battle Trail Board 2; Battle Trail Board 3; Battle Trail Board 4; battle Trail Board 5;
Battle Trail Board 6; Battle Trail Board 7; Battle Trail Board 8; Battle Trail Board 9; Battle Trail Board 10; Battle Map.Tredington Church (Gloucestershire)
Edward IV and his army camped at Tredington the night before the battle of Tewkesbury. I don't know if they went into the church but it has a white rose on the ceiling and white roses decorate some kneelers.Upton Cressett Hall (Shropshire)
Edward V stayed at Upton Cressett Hall on his way to London from Ludlow after the death of his father Edward IV, according to family documents. Robert Cressett was a Yorkist, frequently mentioned in commissions of array. He was pardoned for supporting the losing Yorkists at Ludford and became sheriff of Shropshire in 1468 for Edward IV and again in 1484 - 5 for Richard III. He was replaced by Sir Gilbert Talbot after the battle of Bosworth.
A view of the hall which is medieval and the gatehouse, built in 1580. The gatehouse is available as holiday accommodation.Upton Snodsbury (Worcestershire)
According to the Victoria County History, Upton belonged to Viscount Francis Lovell when he was attainted in 1485, then was granted to Sir John Mortimer by Henry VII. Sir John had been an esquire of the body to Richard III. He was the son of Sir Hugh Mortimer of Martley - see above.
This is Upton Snodsbury Village Hall decorated for a medieval banquet using the Worcestershire Branch's shields, table runners and pennants.Warkworth Castle (Northumberland)
Warkworth was favoured as the Earl of Northumberland's residence while in the area, whilst Alnwick was a military fortress. In 1462 it was captured by the Yorkists and the Earl of Warwick used Warkworth as his HQ when laying siege to the other castles at Alnwick, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh. His brother John was made Earl of Northumberland by Edward IV in 1464, but Edward restored the title to the Percy family in 1470. John built the Montagu Tower and it is the only surviving memorial to this dedicated Yorkist commander. The Percy lion carved on the north face of the great tower. The Lion Tower was built around 1480. See also the entries for Alnwick, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Hedgeley Moor and Norham.Warndon (Worcestershire)
St Nicholas' Church Warndon was first mentioned in 1092. The Lord of the Manor rebuilt the Saxon church in Norman style in 1184. More rebuilding occurred in the early fifteenth century. Some of the Malvern tiles survive, as does a bit of the wall painting. The font dates from 1485. It has an unusual heptagonal shape. The wooden lid is seventeenth century. The black and white tower may have been built in 1542.Warwick (Warwickshire)
The group of buildings which comprises the Lord Leycester Hospital were built around the Chantry Chapel of St James over the West Gate into Warwick, to house the religious guilds. When Henry VIII dispersed the guilds in 1546, the property was saved from seizure by being transferred to the Burgesses of Warwick. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leycester, acquired the buildings in 1571 and founded a hospital for disabled soldiers and their wives, with a charter from Queen Elizabeth. The Master runs the hospital and his house is on the north side of the courtyard.The Beauchamp Chapel in St Mary's Church houses the tomb of Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick and Anne Neville's grandfather. He was born in Salwarpe in Worcestershire and married his second wife in Worcestershire, at Hanley Castle. The weepers on his tomb include his famous son-in-law, the Kingmaker. One foot rests on a bear (his emblem) and the other on a griffin, for his second wife, Isabel Despenser.
The stained glass in the Beauchamp Chapel. The bear and ragged staff emblem of the Earls of Warwick since the Kingmaker's time.
This figure of Richard III stands in Warwick Castle now (2013).
Wickhamford (Worcestershire) - Church of St John the Baptist.
Wigmore Castle (Herefordshire) - Photographs of the castle. (thumbnails)
Owned by English Heritage. Entry is free to explore the ruins.Wisbech (Cambridgeshire)
Plaque marking site of Wisbech Castle in Museum Square. Edward IV visited in 1469 and Sir Thomas Grey was constable in 1476. A Regency villa now occupies the site. John Morton demolished the Norman castle and built his bishop’s palace in 1478. His successor, Bishop Alcock, extended and completed the re-building and died in the castle in 1500.Worcester (Worcestershire)
Richard III visited the city on Tuesday August 5th 1483 during his Coronation Tour. A donation made to the Worcester Cathedral Adopt A Book Scheme which was used to repair GK9 Vindiciae Ecclesiae Anglicanae printed by Felicem Kyngstonum of London in 1625 commemorates this visit: Commemorating the visit of King Richard III to the Cathedral on Tuesday August 5th 1483. On Friday 25th July 1483 Richard was at Magdalen College Oxford on his tour and heard a disputation in divinity by William Grocyn and John Taylor. Grocyn lecturing in Greek at Oxford features in the Victorian glass (see below).
The Worcestershire Branch of the Richard III Society has paid for a carved stone in the south west turret of the Edgar Tower at Worcester Cathedral, on the south west face of this turret. We have a diagram in the branch history showing its location. The carving is on the inside so not visible from outside.
His brother Edward IV went to Worcester after the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, on his way to Coventry.
In the cloisters opposite the gift shop is some Victorian stained glass depicting the period 1387 - 1485. It includes a figure of Edward IV, and Queen Margaret (Henry VI's Queen) crossing the Lower Lode after the battle of Tewkesbury to seek refuge. Anne Neville, then the widow of Margaret's son Edward Prince of Wales, was with her.
Also represented in this window are William Caxton and Judge Littleton. Inside the cathedral is a plaque and portrait commemorating this local judge, who died in 1481. He has been called the father of our English law and probably Richard was familiar with his work.
Near Prince Arthur's Chantry is a triptych made in Edward IV's time. Description of triptych.
Inside the cathedral, Prince Arthur's chantry has some beautiful Yorkist emblems, including a rose en soleil carved around it. His mother was Elizabeth of York, Richard's niece.
Prince Arthur's Exhibition and Chantry Chapel Worcester Cathedral, 2002. (thumbnails)
The re-enactment of Prince Arthur's Funeral on its 500th anniversary. (thumbnails)This collection of photographs of inside and outside the cathedral includes the former refectory, and more of the chantry and Victorian glass.
York (Yorkshire)
York Minster would have been very familiar to Richard III. His son was invested as Prince of Wales in the Archbishop's Palace in 1483.
The Society of Friends of King Richard III gave this plaque to the city in 1983 to commemorate the quincentenary of Richard becoming King.
The Society of Friends of King Richard III gave a window of stained glass to the Minster in 1997. It's in the south aisle.
The Richard III Society presented this illuminated vellum to York Minster. The following quote is taken from the Richard III Society's website. Follow the link and scroll down to find the information about the vellum, including the full text. "In 1966 the Richard III Society presented a gift to York Minster — The York Vellum — in the form of a hand-lettered inscribed vellum, with illuminated coats of arms, of contemporary accounts of Richard III’s 1483 coronation-year visit to the city. The vellum was for display in the Minster’s Chapter House, where it was presented to the then Dean of York, Alan Robinson, by Society Chairman Patrick Bacon on 9 July 1966. The art work was carried out by the York School of Art, Joan Dodds under took the lettering and Lillian Sloane the illumination. The text of the vellum provides a vivid description of the preparations for King Richard’s visit to the city in August and September 1483 and the events that took place during it, including the investiture of Edward of Middleham as Prince of Wales. Richard spent three weeks in the city, a stay which was filled with festivity, including welcoming speeches, pageants, gift-giving and feasting. The city had been warned of the royal visit a little over a month earlier but received detailed instructions of the scale and style of display expected just a few days before Richard's arrival."
Spotted in the National Railway Museum in York - a sign saying Duke of Gloucester.Youlgreave Church (Derbyshire)
All Saints' Church is the resting place of Thomas Cokayne, who is wearing a Yorkist collar of suns and roses. He was one of Lord Hastings' men. He died in a fight in 1488 with Thomas Burdett at Pooley Park in Warwickshire. They were both going to Polesworth Church and quarrelled over a family marriage settlement. As he predeceased his father his effigy is small, though he was a married man with a family.
Page last updated on 10 September 2023
