The Richard III Society

The Richard III and Yorkist History Trust

Introduction

During the quincentenary celebrations of Richard III's reign, the Richard III Society established a Trust with charitable status to take over much of the Society's academic publishing and some of its research activities. It is a separate entity from the Society but retains close links with its parent body which appoints the majority of the nine trustees.

The Richard III and Yorkist History Trust was formally constituted in October 1985 in order to 'further education, learning, and research related to the history of late medieval England (and in particular the life and reign of King Richard III) and to disseminate the results of such education, learning and research'. It was recognised by the Charity Commissioners and registered as charity number 327005 in February 1986.

The Trustees' principal duties are to commission new publications and see them through to publication, and to assess applications from scholars and publishers for financial assistance towards their own research and the expenses of publication.

Trustees:

Prof. C.M. Barron

Prof. J. Boffey

Dr Heather Falvey

Dr Joanna Laynesmith

Dr. Lynda J. Pidgeon

Dr James A Ross

Dr Christian Steer

Dr. A.F. Sutton

Dr. C.Th.L. Visser-Fuchs

Secretary and Principal Address

www.richardiiiandyht.org.uk

Research Grants

Research Grants for Advanced Research leading to publication

The Trust annually offers grants of up to £5,000 to facilitate research leading to the completion of editions of texts or leading to the completion of scholarly monographs relating to the political, cultural, religious, economic and/or social history of England in the fifteenth century, with preference given to projects focused on the Yorkist period (1461-1485). The projects thus sponsored will be published by the Trust in its established series. For further details and how to apply please visit the Trust's website.

Publications

As the Trust finances research and publishing work previously paid for directly by the Society, most of the Trust's initial income came from the Society. In recognition of this, Society members can buy Trust publications at substantially reduced prices.

The Trust's publications are:

• RICHARD III: LORDSHIP, LOYALTY AND LAW, ed. P.W. Hammond, 1984, repr. 2000.
  Papers delivered at the second Richard III Society Symposium in April 1984, two editions published. Subjects include the private life of John Howard; Richard III and Lady Margaret Beaufort; the concept of the Good Prince; a Canonical assessment of the claim that the sons of Edward IV were illegitimate; a re-examination of the evidence on the deaths of the Princes and the bones in Westminster Abbey. Contributors include Anne Crawford, Michael Jones, Keith Dockray, Anne Sutton and Colin Richmond.
• YORK HOUSE BOOKS 1461-1490, ed. Lorraine Attreed, 2 vols, 1991.
  A new and complete edition of the York House Books for 1461-1490. This edition provides some of the most important documents from the York city archives, including details of royal visits, proclamations and political events in the Wars of the Roses, as well as local bye-laws, craft regulations and arrangements for the performance of the York mystery plays. They provide an unparalleled view of Richard, who was York's greatest patron, both as duke of Gloucester and as king of England. Two volume set with introduction and name and subject index.
• THE HOUSEHOLD BOOKS OF JOHN HOWARD, DUKE OF NORFOLK, 1462-1471 and 1481-1483, introd. Anne Crawford, 1992.
  Comprises records of money received and dispersed by John Howard, his family and his household officials, thus casting light on both his estate administration and his domestic expenditure. John Howard was made duke of Norfolk by Richard III in 1483. His household books are one of the major primary sources for the political, social and economic history of late fifteenth century England.
  
  Reduced size facsimile reprint of the rare 19th century transcriptions f the household books, with an introduction covering the early life and career of John Howard. Also includes a new name index and an appendix of newly transcribed related documents.
• THE POLITICS OF FIFTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLAND: JOHN VALE'S BOOK, ed. Margaret L. Kekewich, Colin Richmond, Anne F. Sutton, Livia Visser-Fuchs and John L. Watts, 1995.
  This book contains copies (often unique ones) of broadsides, private and public letters and literary texts ranging from about 1420 until about 1483. These provide a fascinating overview of English politics and London affairs before and during the Wars of the Roses. Documents are calendared and the book includes introductory essays.
• ALIEN COMMUNITIES IN LONDON IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY: THE SUBSIDY ROLLS OF 1440, 1483-4, ed. and introd. J.L. Bolton, 1998.
  This book includes records of the taxation of individual aliens in Southwark in 1440 and in the City of London and the Middlesex suburbs in 1483-1484, with an extensive introduction reappraising the size, role and reception of London's foreign population in the fifteenth century. This study with calendar, looks at the fifteenth century rolls, at the geographic origins, social organisation and economic role of the migrants within London and considers the question of how Londoners regarded these aliens. Includes short biographies.
• THE MERCHANT TAYLORS' COMPANY OF LONDON: COURT MINUTES 1486-1493, ed. Matthew Davies, 2000.
  The Merchant Taylors' Company is one of the oldest and largest of the livery companies in the City of London, with extensive records surviving from the late fourteenth century. This book covers seven years of court minutes, the earliest to survive in their original form from any of the 'Great Twelve' livery companies. This edition is fully translated and annotated with an extensive introduction.
• 
  THE BEAUCHAMP PAGEANT, ed. Alexandra Sinclair, 2003.
  A late fifteenth century illustrated life of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick (1382-1439). This edition provides an introduction to the work and the first detailed biography of Richard Beauchamp, along with an interesting description to accompany each of the illustrations. Full colour facsimile of the British Library manuscript.
• THE ESTATE AND HOUSEHOLD ACCOUNTS OF WILLIAM WORSLEY, DEAN OF ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, 1479-1497, ed. Hannes Kleineke and Stephanie R. Hovland, 2004.
  Transcription of William Worsley's accounts together with an introduction to the life and career of this fascinating cleric. There are biographical details of the individuals mentioned in the accounts, a pedigree, six mono-tone images, glossary, bibliography and index.
• 
  THE HERALD'S MEMOIR: COURT CEREMONIES OF HENRY VII, ed. Emma Cavell.
  The first full modern edition of the narrative now preserved in the British Library. It corrects the incomplete version published by Thomas Herne in the 18th century and makes accessible for the first time a strictly contemporary source for the earliest years of the reign of Henry VII. This new edition takes the reader to the heart of Henry VII's court as he struggled to hold the throne he had so fortuitously won at Bosworth.
• THE YORKIST AGE, ed. Hannes Kleineke and Christian Steer, Harlaxton Medieval Studies Vol XXIII.
  Proceedings of the 2011 Harlaxton Symposium covering archaeology, political, cultural and religious history. It Includes papers on Richard III and the Office of Arms and his charters to towns: the latter by Ricardian editor, Anne Sutton. This book is published by Shaun Tyas for Paul Watkins Publishing. For information about prices and postage please use the contact details set out above.
• MARGARET OF YORK, PRINCESS OF ENGLAND, DUCHESS OF BURGUNDY (1446–1503), Harry Schnitker.
  From the moment in 1468 when Margaret of York (1446–1503), sister of Kings Edward IV and Richard III, married Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, she played a central role in Burgundian society and cultural life. Throughout her life, she maintained excellent relations with her step-daughter, Mary of Burgundy, and her stepson-in-law, Maximilian I of Habsburg, as well as with members of the nobility, clergy and the leading men of her dower towns. A woman in a world of men, she was none-the-less able to establish and maintain her authority and influence through her household and affinity, through her patronage of the arts, of religious orders and of humanist learning.
  
  Madame la Grande, as she was called later in life, owned an important book collection, was devout and passionately interested in the renewal of the Church, and successfully played her part on the public ‘stage’ when necessary. This new study looks at all these aspects of Margaret’s life, not omitting, for example, the role of the women who influenced her, her support of the crucial Habsburg marriage, and her attempt to influence English politics by encouraging Yorkist pretenders. There are appendices and a full index and colour pictures.
• The Calais Letter Book of William Lord Hastings and Late Mediaeval Crisis Diplomacy, 1477 Ed. And introduced by Edward L.Meek, 2018.
  This book is the text and translation of letters written by William, Lord Hastings, Lieutenant of Calais, during the first months of an international crisis that followed the death of Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, at Nancy in January 1477. During the subsequent war between France and Burgundy, England maintained diplomatic relations with both parties despite Edward IV’s sister Margaret being Charles of Burgundy’s widow. The book contains a full introduction, both to the letters and to subsequent events up to 1483. A fold out plan of a later copy of a contemporary map of the Calais region is included.

Forthcoming publications:

• The Church Records of St Nicholas Shambles, London 1453 – 1547 ed. Helen Coombes. Revised, extended and re-edited by Dr Christian Steer.
• A Yorkist Merchant Handbook: Richard Arnold’s ‘Customs of London’, edited by Justin Colson

All current Trust publications are available from the publisher, Shaun Tyas at Paul Watkins Publishing, 1 High Street, Donington, Lincolnshire PE11 4TA; tel 01775-821-542

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Ricardian Churches Restoration Fund (RCRF)

Introduction

According to historical record, Richard III was a deeply pious man and there are a number of churches that can claim a Ricardian connection, either as direct beneficiaries from his largesse or because he is known to have worshipped in them.

For many years, the Richard III Society has raised money for its causes - aiding the restoration of historic buildings, beautifying Ricardian sites, erecting monuments, etc. In 1975, the Ricardian Churches Restoration Fund, or RCRF, was founded, its guiding light for many years being the late Joyce Melhuish. Since its inception, the RCRF has received no money from the Society but has raised all its funds through members and the general public. For the most part, this has been by the sale of craft work made by the members. To date, the fund has made donations totalling well in excess of £30,000.

Any church that has a connection with Richard III is entitled to call upon the Fund for assistance, although obviously the amount that can be given is limited and very much dependent upon what is in the coffers at the time of asking.

Five churches qualify for 'Grade One' membership of the RCRF

Fotheringhay

Fotheringhay Church
FotherighayRichard was born in the nearby castle and may have been baptised in the church. A permanent exhibition, costing £1,500, was mounted in 1987-88 and in the ten years until 1992 members of the Society participated in a programme to embroider and sew kneelers. The Society has supported several other projects including a contribution of £2,000 towards the cost of general works in 1995, £100 towards rehanging and additions to the church bells in 1990, £500 towards stonework restoration in 1983, and payments over the years amounting to nearly £4,000 for work in the Chapel of All Souls.

For more on the Society's connection with Fotheringhay see Friends of Fotheringhay and about the village itself, see Ricardian Sites.

Middleham

The Society's Memorial Window
Courtesy of Phil StoneRichard spent much of his life in Middleham, having been sent there for his early chivalric training, the castle belonging to his cousin, the earl of Warwick. Later, Richard lived here when he was Edward IV's deputy in the north. The castle was his favourite residence and it was here that he met Anne Neville, who he later married. Now in the care of English Heritage, the castle remains a truly evocative site, beloved of Ricardians.

Sadly, Richard III's plan to found a college of priests in the church came to naught, but in 1934, the Society installed a memorial window, showing Richard and Anne, as well as their son, the Prince of Wales, and in 1963, it gave an altar frontal. These were amongst its earliest gifts to any heritage site. In the early 1980s, the RCRF gave £3,500 towards a new lead roof.

Sheriff Hutton

The alabaster tomb at Sheriff Hutton
Courtesy of Amanda Geary

Barnard Castle

Church of St Mary, Barnard CastleHere is another church where Richard planned a college which also came to nothing. However, he was responsible for major rebuilding work, widening the aisles and putting in windows. His boar badge can be seen in the exterior stonework.

The RCRF contributed £500 towards the cost of the second-stage roof repairs in 1983, and more recently, in March 2001, it gave £1,000 towards improving the existing sound system, adding an induction loop for the hard of hearing.

Sutton Cheney

Society plaque at Sutton Cheney Church
Close to Bosworth Field, this is known as the church where Richard is said to have heard his last Mass. Sadly, the tradition was probably begun in the 1920s. No matter, it is now the principal venue for the annual memorial service, held on the Sunday nearest to the anniversary of the battle. A highlight of the service is the placing of wreaths around a bronze plaque inscribed 'Remember before God, Richard III, King of England, and those who fell at Bosworth Field, having kept faith. 22nd August 1485. Loyaulté me lie'.

Recent gifts from the RCRF and the Society have totalled more than £4,000 towards the replacement of the crumbling stonework of the medieval windows.

Other churches which have benefited from the RCRF

Lead Chapel, Towton

Built to commemorate the dead of the Battle of Towton, this received the very first RCRF donation in 1982, being £45 towards the cost of installing some stained glass for the boar quarry window. The chapel, standing isolated in a corn field, is the venue for an annual service held by the Yorkshire Branch of the Society.

Wingfield

The RCRF gave £2,150 in 1990 towards the cleaning and repairs of the tombs of the Duke of Suffolk and his wife, the duchess having been Richard's sister, Elizabeth. In 1996, the Fund gave £100 towards restoration of a window.

Great St Helen's, Bishopsgate, London

Richard used this church when, as Duke of Gloucester, he was resident in London. In 1992, the RCRF gave £1,000 towards the cost of repairs following a terrorist bomb which had lifted the roof.

York Minster

Richard had great plans for the Minster, planning a chantry chapel there for his son. In 1987, the RCRF gave £2,000 towards replacing the stonework of the great west window, popularly known as 'the Heart of Yorkshire'.

King's College Chapel, Cambridge

In response to a national appeal for funds to carry out restoration work in 1982, a donation of £300 was given to match the sum that Richard had given. He was responsible for completing the first five bays of the chapel.

Other contributions have included

• £1,000 to Brancepeth Church, Co Durham, in response to its restoration appeal in 2001;
• £1,000 to St Andrew's Church, Penrith, for the protection of their stained glass windows in 2001;
• In 2005, Stratford St Mary in Essex restored the de la Pole window, and the RCRF gave a contribution.
• Westminster Abbey, where Richard's queen, Anne Neville, was buried. The site marked now by a small memorial given by the Society;
• St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where Edward IV and his wife, Elizabeth Woodville, are buried;
• Tewkesbury Abbey, which holds the remains of George, Duke of Clarence and his duchess, Isabel Neville;
• £750 to Wingfield Church, for the 650th Anniversary Appeal, and
• £500 to St Kenelm’s Church, Minster Lovell, for the 2016 – 2017 Building Appeal.

Contacts

For further information please e-mail Miss Elizabeth Nokes or the Society Treasurer, John Whiting.

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The Friends of Fotheringhay Church

Fotheringhay Church
FotheringhayFotheringhay Church has, over the years, become the principal ecclesiastical establishment associated with the Richard III Society and close links have been forged between the parish and the Society. The church has been the beneficiary of gifts from the Society and the Ricardian Churches Restoration Fund (RCRF).

The parish of Fotheringhay is much too small to support such a large building and especially one that is in need of renovation so, in 1997, when the Friends of Fotheringhay Church was formed, it had two main objectives, to raise money and to publicise the church. It is probably fair to say that it has been more successful with the second of these than the first. However, funds have been raised for various needs, including restoration work on the tower; the clearing of the room over the porch, and the installation of a window containing medieval coloured glass; and the cleaning of the Decalogue panels behind the altar.

The Friends organise a number of events throughout the year, including sales and quizzes, as well as talks and even visits from a small travelling opera company, Opera Box, who performed Donizetti's 'Maria Stuarda' in the church. Later, they lent some of the costumes to form part of an exhibition that celebrated Fotheringhay's royal connections. Although not organised by the Friends as such, members have been responsible for helping out at various other events too, including the annual organ recitals and concerts in the church during the Oundle International Music Festival.

The membership fee for the Friends of Fotheringhay Church is very modest and all members are made very welcome. The AGM continues to take place in November, sometimes in the church and sometimes in the village hall. Each year there is a speaker, and the topics are varied, though an attempt is made to alternate between subjects suited to devotees of Mary, Queen of Scots, and those of Richard III.

For further information

Diane and Robert Stewart, Willow House, 28 Fotheringhay, PE8 5HZ.

http://www.friends-of-fotheringhay-church.co.uk

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Barley Hall

Barley Hall
YorkIn recent years, Barley Hall has become a familiar feature of the historic city of York. What is not so well known is that it is probably one of the most exciting historical projects in the country. The timber-framed house, which has its origins in the fourteenth century, was rediscovered in 1987 behind a layer of brick cladding and the additions of many centuries.

Originally the building, now known as Barley Hall, was a monastic town house for the Augustinian Priors of Nostell in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Shortage of money forced the priors to let the house in the fifteenth century. For members of the Richard III Society the most important tenant, and the one around whom the reconstruction of the hall was done, was Alderman Snawsell, Lord Mayor of York in 1468, Master of the Royal Mint in York and MP for the City in 1470. He visited Prince Edward at Middleham in July 1483, together with his fellow aldermen, to present gifts, and he attended the investiture of King Richard's son, Edward, as Prince of Wales in the Minster in September 1483.

Barley Hall was purchased by York Archaeological Trust (YAT) and excavations took place, together with research into documentary evidence. It was then decided by the YAT to restore the hall, as accurately as possible, to its late 15th century form when it belonged to William Snawsell. One of the major achievements was the completion of the great hall. By a rather curious quirk, the hall, which is at the heart of this building, is bordered by a public right of way that was the original screen passage and which now separates this historic building at the ground-floor level. The passage is presently the link between Stonegate and Swinegate through Grape Lane. The passage end of the hall is glass-faced thus providing a unique and unexpected glimpse into the past for passers-by. Other rooms that have been completed include the buttery, the pantry and the first-floor parlour.

The Hall is run by the YAT and is open on most days of the year. Three members of the Richard III Society are members of a Barley Hall advisory group and help to run the Hall.

For further information

Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, Off Stonegate , York, YO1 8AR.
01904 615505
or www.barleyhall.co.uk.

Further reading

• Barley Hall: A day in a medieval town house by Charles Kightly
  Published by Wayland, Hove, 1997
  ISBN 0-7502-2141-0
• Barley Hall York
  Published by the York Archaeological Trust, 2009
  ISBN 0-9535-3940-7

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Rosalba Press

Rosalba Press is the publishing arm of the Yorkshire Branch of the Richard III Society, and it had its origins in the 1970s. Over the last thirty years the Branch has brought out books and booklets, at an affordable price, on such varied subjects as Richard of York, the medieval manor court of Wakefield, and Peter Foss's study of the battlefield of Bosworth, The Field of Redemore.

The publishing activities of the Yorkshire Branch began in the late 1960s with its magazine, named Blanc Sanglier after Richard III's white boar badge. This quickly settled into a three-times-a-year rhythm. Then, in the 1970s the Branch received a legacy from the will of one of its keenest members, Fred Phillips, and decided to use it on some special project not just put it into the funds. At about that time another member was completing his research on Richard of York, Richard III's father. It seemed appropriate that the Branch publish Richard, Third Duke of York by Ian Postlethwaite as a memorial to Fred, to show our gratitude. We did not visualise then that any more publications would ensue, and so it appeared simply under the imprint of Yorkshire Branch, Richard III Society.

At first the booklets were distributed by Richard Knowles. At that time he and Pauline Routh were carrying out their joint researches on church monuments and tomb effigies. In particular they had studied the alabaster monument in Sheriff Hutton church thought by some to be the tomb and effigy of Edward Prince of Wales, son of Richard III. Some controversy arose, and in 1981 they were ready to publish their reasoned research. Ian Postlethwaite's book had sold out, and the money had gone into a special Publications Fund, which was thus ready to be used on another venture. With the prospect of this cycle repeating itself in the future, each publication being financed by the one before, the Branch committee thought it time to discuss a name for the imprint.

The suggestions were many and varied, most being on the White Rose theme, we having already used the White Boar in our magazine. Eventually it was agreed to take the one which put Rosa Alba (white rose) into one word as Rosalba, adding Press. It was put on a proper footing, and an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) was obtained from the Agency. In 1981 Routh and Knowles's Sheriff Hutton alabaster: a reassessment was published by Rosalba Press.

Although publication of research was recognised as the main aim of Rosalba Press, other perceived needs could be met. In 1985 Mary O'Regan and Arthur Cockerill compiled a Gazetteer of Yorkshire in the 15th century. This was to commemorate the reign of Richard III, who died in 1485, and was a summary of places in Yorkshire with 15th century connections. The next publication of Rosalba Press was by far its most ambitious at that time. There was much interest in Richard III in 1985 and following years. In particular, the received wisdom about the battlefield of Bosworth came under scrutiny. Midland historian Peter Foss had long studied the accounts of the battle (and other documents) and the geology and topography of the area around Sutton Cheney and Ambion Hill, and had come to revolutionary conclusions regarding the site of the battle. His theories had not been published, and the Branch thought strongly that they deserved a wider circulation. Arthur Cockerill was the moving force behind the publishing of The Field of Redemore (1990) which was acknowledged to reflect great credit on the Branch. He looked after every aspect of the production and distribution, taking over from Richard Knowles. The book sold well, recouping the heavy costs of production.

The next project was Mary O'Regan's The Medieval manor court of Wakefield (1994). This was original research on a medieval theme, so although not strictly Ricardian it was thought highly suitable for Rosalba Press. In essence it was legal history, based heavily on a thesis for the LL.B (Hons) degree. Like the previous two publications it used 'desk-top' publishing techniques, being home-designed and giving camera-ready copy to the printer.

The same was true of the next two publications, in 1999 and 2000. Richard III: a brief life, by Mary O'Regan, was essentially the script of a talk given to a Branch AGM, expanded to booklet size and with added illustrations. The second, Janet Senior's Sheriff Hutton and its lords, was written to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Sheriff Hutton castle. They were designed and produced for the printer by Mary O'Regan, who also took care of the next title, Sir William Stanley: a Yorkist martyr? by Jean Gidman, published in 2003. This was our second large-scale production, being the fruit of many years' research by the author, and the fIrst full-length study of Sir William Stanley.

By now, printers' methods had changed, and texts and illustrations could now be given to them on computer disk, either floppy or CD. Colour printing was also possible, if on a small scale because of cost.

Our two most recent publications are Who was who in the Wars of the Roses (2005) and Richard III, The House of York and their supporters, both by Pauline Harrison Pogmore.


The Yorkshire Branch receives no subsidies for its publishing work. We are proud of Rosalba Press's back list, and the fact that all except one of its titles are by members of the Branch. We hope to continue publishing research and reference works by members (and possibly others) into the future.

For further information

Pauline H Pogmore, 169 Albert Road, Sheffield, S8 9QX.
or www.richardiiiyorkshire.org.

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Graham Turner

Graham Turner is well known for his medieval paintings, with originals - and prints reproduced from them - gracing the walls of many an historian or re-enactor's home, while a selection of the numerous books he has illustrated on this turbulent period can usually be found in their libraries. Graham Turner has very kindly allowed the Society to reproduce many of his paintings on this website.

He has always had a fascination for our medieval past, but it has now developed well beyond the castles and knights in shining armour of his childhood. His first romanticised view of the medieval 'Knight Errant' was exhibited in 1992 and later published by a leading print publisher. However, as interest in Graham's historical work blossomed and his knowledge increased, he quickly found his attention focusing more on the reality of this turbulent period rather than the chivalrous ideal.

However, he has now taken his research that bit further. Believing that there is no substitute for first hand experience, Graham has joined 'Destrier' and, wearing a complete suit of replica 15th century armour, is now jousting himself.

After 18 months of training, he took part in his first two tournaments in June 2004, and concluded his first jousting season very successfully with victories at the Herstmonceux Medieval Festival. 2005 saw him competing in English Heritage's Knights Tournament series.

Graham's latest painting of King Richard III was unveiled at the Bosworth Battlefield and Heritage Centre on 29 June 2013. The painting incorporates all the latest information about the king's appearance following the discovery of his remains in 2012.

For further information

Studio 88 Ltd, PO Box 568, Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 8ZX

01296 338504
or www.studio88.co.uk.

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Mortimer History Society

A Society for those interested in the medieval Mortimers and the history of the Welsh Marches.

Warlike, ambitious and powerful, the Mortimers bestrode the medieval stage, inextricably linked with the great events of their time, their story is the tale of a turbulent England racked with dissension, rebellion and open warfare at home and abroad. www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk

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Jennifer Morag Henderson

Jennifer Morag Henderson is the author of 'Josephine Tey: A Life', the first biography of the author of 'Daughter of Time'. Jennifer gave a fascinating talk to the Richard III Society at the Merchant Adventurers Hall in York as part of the Society's 2016 AGM. Her website can be found at www.jennifermoraghenderson.com

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