Membership

My Membership

FAQs (frequently asked questions)

What do I get when I join the Society?
On becoming a member of one of the worlds leading medieval societies you will be sent ‘A New Member’s Information Pack’. The pack includes:

Welcome letters from the Chairman, Membership Manager, Librarian and relevant Branch or Group if you live within their catchment area.

The Bulletins and The Ricardian for the current membership year, unless you are a late joiner (see What if I join just before the end of the membership year? below). The Bulletin is the Society’s quarterly news magazine and The Ricardian is the Society’s annual journal.

Society brochure
Sales catalogue
Details of back copies of The Ricardian and Bulletin that are available for purchase

When do I get my membership pack
You should receive your pack within 21 days from receipt of your application.

Do I have a membership number?
Yes you do. This will be included in the letter from the Membership Manager and should be quoted on all correspondence with the Membership Department. It is also included on the address sheet that accompanies your mailings of the Society publications.

Are there any rules or regulations?
The Society’s Constitution is available online.

What if I have a query about my membership?
Contact the membership department by telephone, e-mail or letter (contact details are also listed on the inside back cover of the Bulletin).

**What if I don’t receive my regular Bulletin or The Ricardian?**
Contact the membership department quoting your membership number.

When does the membership year run from?
The membership year commences on 2 October (the birthday of King Richard III).

What if I join just before the end of the membership year?
If you join the Society in the month of September you have a one-month free membership period. You will receive a copy of the Autumn Bulletin and your membership will automatically be renewed on 2 October for the forthcoming year.

How can I renew my membership?
Complete the renewal form which is in the centrefold section of the September Bulletin and send it to the membership department together with your cheque, postal order or credit card details (Visa or MasterCard only).

Alternatively you can complete a standing order form any time and forward to the membership department.

A blank standing order form can be obtained from the membership department

There is also a membership table at the AGM where payment of subscriptions can be made by any of the above methods or by cash.

NB: Please do not attempt to renew your subscription by sending your credit card details by e-mail to the Membership Department as this could be intercepted by a third party with fraudulent intention.

What if I forget to renew my subscription?
If you have not paid your subscription by 31 December you will be deemed a lapsed member and will no longer receive any of the Society’s publications. A letter, however, is usually sent to such members in January to remind them of this situation. When the subscription has been paid then the dispatch of the publications will recommence.

NB: To send out reminder letters is a financial burden on the Society and we do ask members either to renew promptly or to notify us if they wish to resign from the Society.

What happens if the subscription rates change?
Membership rates run from October to September each year. The matter is discussed during the summer by the Executive Committee and if an increase is felt to be appropriate, it is put before the membership at the AGM in October. If the vote is positive, the new rates take effect immediately for new members but are not applicable to existing members until the following October. For the year commencing October 2009, no increase was proposed.

If you pay by standing order you will need to advise your bank of the new subscription rate by phone, letter on on-line or complete a new standing order and cancel the old instruction.

What if I move or my circumstances change?
In both instances write or e-mail to the membership department. If you need to change your membership category this will be effective from the new membership year.

NB: If you do change your membership category and pay your subscription by standing order, please remember to inform your bank of your new subscription rate by phone, letter or on-line or complete a new standing order form and cancel the old instruction.

What if I have a complaint?
The Society endeavours to provide an efficient and friendly service. If, however, you do have a problem please contact the relevant officer or write to the Chairman (address on the inside back cover of the Bulletin).

What if I want to resign?
The Society hopes this situation does not arise! The Society understands, however, that interests or financial circumstances may change. It would be appreciated if those who do not wish to renew their membership, or decide to leave the Society during the year, advise the Membership Department. It is also useful if you tell us why you have taken that decision, as this will help us monitor what members expect of the Society.

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FAQs (frequently asked questions)

What do I get when I join the Society? On becoming a member of one of the worlds leading medieval societies you will be sent ‘A New Member’s Information Pack’. The pack includes:

When do I get my membership pack You should receive your pack within 21 days from receipt of your application.

Do I have a membership number? Yes you do. This will be included in the letter from the Membership Manager and should be quoted on all correspondence with the Membership Department. It is also included on the address sheet that accompanies your mailings of the Society publications.

Are there any rules or regulations? The Society’s Constitution is available online.

What if I have a query about my membership? Contact the membership department by telephone, e-mail or letter (contact details are also listed on the inside back cover of the Bulletin).

What if I don’t receive my regular Bulletin or The Ricardian? Contact the membership department quoting your membership number.

When does the membership year run from? The membership year commences on 2 October (the birthday of King Richard III).

What if I join just before the end of the membership year? If you join the Society in the month of September you have a one-month free membership period. You will receive a copy of the Autumn Bulletin and your membership will automatically be renewed on 2 October for the forthcoming year.

How can I renew my membership? Complete the renewal form which is in the centrefold section of the September Bulletin and send it to the membership department together with your cheque, postal order or credit card details (Visa or MasterCard only).

What if I move or my circumstances change? In both instances write or e-mail to the membership department. If you need to change your membership category this will be effective from the new membership year.

What if I have a complaint? The Society endeavours to provide an efficient and friendly service. If, however, you do have a problem please contact the relevant officer or write to the Chairman (address on the inside back cover of the Bulletin).