Please note that anyone wishing to attend an event being run by a Branch/Group of which they are not a member must contact the Branch/Group representative listed before attending.
Events
Upcoming Events
Centenary Tea
RICHARD III SOCIETY CENTENARY TEA – WITH THE PATRON
16TH MAY 2024 (ARRIVAL FROM 2.15PM FOR 2.30PM. DEPARTURE FROM 4.30PM-4.45PM), WAX CHANDLERS’ HALL, GRESHAM STREET, LONDON EC2V 7AD
GUEST OF HONOUR: HRH THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER KG, GCVO
Beginning with a drinks reception in the Court Room, where the Royal Charter granted by Richard III in 1484 is displayed along with with the Coat of Arms by Clarenceaux King-of-Arms in 1485, afternoon tea will then be served in the Great Hall. Available will be a selection of sandwiches (with two vegetarian options), scones served with fresh preserve and Cornish clotted cream, muffins, creme brulee tartlets and chocolate fondant cake. Coffee and tea from the Tregothnan Cornish estate will be served along with still and sparkling mineral water, freshly squeezed orange juice, cranberry juice and sparkling elderflower.
Please note that there are half a dozen steep steps from the street into the entrance hall. Cloakroom facilities are available and the Court Room is on the ground floor. The Great Hall is on an upper floor and a small lift is available.
We have 70 spaces for the event so this is for members only (aged over 16). The dress code is smart casual with jackets and ties recommended. Places will be allocated on a strictly first come, first-served basis. Forms are available in the Members’ Area of the website.
Cost – £65
Branch Study Day
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
CROWN, PARLIAMENT AND TREASON
KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, LEICESTER LE1 5DB
18TH MAY 2024 FROM 9.50AM TO 4.30PM
COST £27 (morning and afternoon refreshments included)
Hosted by the Leicestershire Branch, Richard Smith, Chair of the Branch, will speak on ‘Faggots, Bats and Rebellion – Three Medieval Parliaments held in Leicester’. Dr Nicola Tallis will speak on ‘All the Queen’s Jewels 1445-1548’, followed by Dr Euan Roger, who will speak on ‘Treason and the Wars of the Roses’, and Dr Paul Dryburgh whose talk is entitled ‘Sealing the Deal: Royal Great Seals in the Middle Ages’.
For tickets, please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.
Zoom Talk
MUSIC, MUSICIANS AND SOUND IN MEDIEVAL ENGLAND BY JEZ SMITH
20TH MAY 2024 AT 2.00PM (9.00AM USA/CANADA EDT)
The presentation will explore the role of music in medieval society, looking at not only the types of instruments and who played them, but also the context of the music – including the social as well as the acoustic and auditory elements of music The historical record is not silent and by reviewing the evidence with a multi-disciplinary approach we can develop a greater understanding about this often overlooked aspect of historical research.
Jez Smith has more than 35 years if experience in playing music, with a focus over the last 20 years of playing and researching historical music and playing instruments such as bagpipes, hurdy gurdies, lute, gittern and the cittern. Jez is also a qualified museum professional and sound therapist.
As before, Society Zoom presentations are free to Society members (with the exception of the Zoom broadcasts from the Triennial Conference). However please note that the number of places available on each lecture is restricted to 200. To attend you will need to be online, and have an email address, membership number and country (if outside the UK) as soon as possible to the event administrator, Julia Langham, j.langham39@btinternet.com. Please indicate clearly which Zoom lecture(s) you wish to be registered for. Bookings will be registered strictly in order of receipt. If you are not a Society member and are interested in joining, visit https://richardiii.net/membership/join-the-society/
Branch Talk
NORTH MERCIA BRANCH
THE LADIES OF THE GARTER
SATURDAY 1ST JUNE 2024 AT 2.00PM. THE CROWN HOTEL, NANTWICH
A talk by Dr Andrew Gray.
Contact Marion Moulton at tedandbess1943@gmail.com
Branch Talk
DEVON & CORNWALL BRANCH
PRINCE RUPERT
SATURDAY 15TH JUNE 2024
A talk by Steven Luscombe
Branch Zoom Talk
NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH
THE GOLDEN WIDOWS & MISTRESS TO THE CROWN, ZOOM BOOK DISCUSSION WITH ISOLDE MARTYN
SATURDAY 15TH JUNE 2024 AT 7.00PM-9.00PM SYD EST, 10.00AM-12.00PM UK GMT
Join the New South Wales Branch as Isolde Martyn discusses her novels The Golden Widows and Mistress to the Crown.
For more details or to register, please contact Marnie Lo at richard3nswpublications@gmail.com.
Branch Talk
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
‘ANTHONY WOODVILLE: SOPHISTICATE OR SCHEMER’ BY DANIELLE BURTON
20TH JUNE 2024 7.00PM, RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, LEICESTER
This talk by Danielle Burton is based on years of research which culminated in a biography of the same name. Danielle will ponder whether Anthony Woodville, brother of Edward IV’s Queen, was as bad as some have portrayed him, or was he really a man of many talents.
Meetings are free to Branch members, but visitors are requested to donate £3.00 towards the expenses of the meeting.
For more information please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.
Zoom Talk
THE 1475 FRENCH CAMPAIGN: WAR AND CHIVALRY IN YORKIST ENGLAND BY DR DAVID GRUMMITT
29TH JUNE 2024 AT 2.00PM (9.00AM USA/CANADA EDT)
Edward IV’s 1475 French campaign is usually dismissed as a half-hearted attempt to restart the Hundred Years War, one that was greeted was indifference by many of the King’s subjects. The army that crossed he Channel that summer, despite being the largest assembled by any English King for service overseas in the late Middle Ages, has been derided for its lack of military effectiveness. Yet both the official documents and the reflections of foreign observers point to a different conclusion, placing Yorkist England at the vanguard of European military-chivalric culture.
Dr David Grummitt is an academic historian who has worked extensively on the fifteenth century, particularly the military and political aspects of the Wars of the Roses. He has published widely on the Calais garrison, the wider effects of war in late medieval and early Tudor England, and the reigns of Henry VI and Henry VII.
As before, Society Zoom presentations are free to Society members (with the exception of the Zoom broadcasts from the Triennial Conference). However please note that the number of places available on each lecture is restricted to 200. To attend you will need to be online, and have an email address, membership number and country (if outside the UK) as soon as possible to the event administrator, Julia Langham, j.langham39@btinternet.com. Please indicate clearly which Zoom lecture(s) you wish to be registered for. Bookings will be registered strictly in order of receipt. If you are not a Society member and are interested in joining, visit https://richardiii.net/membership/join-the-society/
Middleham Festival
MIDDLEHAM FESTIVAL
6TH-7TH JULY 2024
Join us at the annual Middleham Festival! The Society will join in the celebrations at the Castle, as well as hosting talks at the Church of St Mary and St Alkelda on Saturday 6th July.
Entry to the talks is free, but donations to the Church are much appreciated.
The talks are:
11.00am – Richard the Northern King by Graham Mitchell BA (Secretary of the Yorkshire Branch of the Richard III Society)
1.00pm – The Princes in the Tower: Solving History’s Greatest Cold Case by Philippa Langley MBE
2.00pm – John Evans – The Missing Princes and the Coldridge Connection by John Dike (lead investigator TMPP Coldridge)
3.00pm – Questions and book signing
Branch Zoom Talk
NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH
THE CORONATION OF RICHARD III CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF THE RICHARD III SOCIETY BY MATTHEW LEWIS
SATURDAY 6TH JULY 2024 AT 7.00PM-9.00PM SYD EST, 10.00AM-12.00PM UK GMT
Join the New South Wales Branch for their discussion with Society Chair Matthew Lewis.
For more information or to register, contact Marnie Lo at richard3nswpublications@gmail.com.
Branch Event
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
SATURDAY 6TH JULY 2024
There will be the usual wreath laying at the King’s tomb in the morning and to celebrate coronation day 1483 we could enjoy a meal in the evening at 1573 Bar & Grill, 41 Freeschool Lane, Leicester LE1 4FY. As it is a Saturday, they may be booked up quickly, so needs to be booked by 18th April at the latest.
For more information please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.
Branch Event
CANADIAN BRANCH
CENTENARY EVENT
SATURDAY 6TH JULY 2024
Members and guests are invited to attend a luncheon at historic Montgomery’s Inn in Toronto starting at noon. A catered lunch including salmon, chicken and 4 kinds of salad followed by a very special cake will be served.
Our speaker for the day will be Daniele Cybulskie, and her topic is ‘Reflecting Richard: Mirrors for a Prince’. The talk will explore the type of chivalric treatises and mirrors for princes that Richard would have grown up with and which would have influenced his perspective on kingship.
Books from the library will be available for loan and various items of merchandise will be for sale. For those who can’t make it to Toronto for the Centenary Celebrations, the talk will be zoomed. For more details, see https://www.richardiii.ca/branch-news/
Branch Talk
DEVON & CORNWALL BRANCH
LOVELL & HIS COHORTS
SATURDAY 13TH JULY 2024
A talk by Stephen David.
Branch Talk
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
‘LEICESTER CATHEDRAL REVEALED’ BY MATHEW MORRIS
18TH JULY 2024 AT 7.00PM, KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, LEICESTER
The construction of Leicester Cathedral’s new Heritage and Learning Centre has revealed a snapshot of life in Leicester over the past 2000 years. Mathew Morris will take us on an archaeological journey through time, revealing the lives of the people of St Martin’s parish and the significance for the story of Leicester.
Meetings are free to Branch members, but visitors are requested to donate £3.00 towards the expenses of the meeting.
For more information please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.
Branch Talk
NORTH MERCIA BRANCH
A VOICE FOR RICHARD
SATURDAY 20TH JULY 2024 AT 2.00PM. THE CROWN HOTEL, NANTWICH
A talk by Yvonne Morley Chisholm.
Contact Marion Moulton at tedandbess1943@gmail.com
Social Day
NORTH MERCIA BRANCH
DR JOHN ASHDOWN-HILL SOCIAL DAY
SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST 2024
Contact Marion Moulton at tedandbess1943@gmail.com
Trip
NORTH MERCIA BRANCH
HAWKS ON THE WALK
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
A day out at the Falconry Centre at the Battle of Shrewsbury Exhibition site near Shrewsbury. There will be a talk on the history of Falconry, followed by a chance to fly the birds.
Songs
DEVON & CORNWALL BRANCH
RICARDIAN SONGS
SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Ricardian songs sung by Ian and Elaine Churchward
Branch Talk
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
‘MEDIEVAL KING’S TOMBS – 1307-1485’ BY CAROLINE WRIGHT
19TH SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 7.00PM, KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, LEICESTER
This is part II of the fascinating illustrated talk given by Caroline Wright last year. Caroline will discuss the locations of the tombs, their style and decoration and the ceremonies involved in burying kings during the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses.
Meetings are free to Branch members, but visitors are requested to donate £3.00 towards the expenses of the meeting.
For more information please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.
Australasian Convention
NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH
AUSTRALASIAN CONVENTION
20TH-22ND SEPTEMBER 2024 AT MITTAGONG RSL
To help commemorate the Centenary of the Richard III Society, the NSW Branch is holding an Australasian Conference event in September.
If you love Medieval, Plantagenet, and Ricardian history then you must not miss this wonderfully entertaining and informative conference. A great chance to catch up with like-minded friends.
The Branch is also asking for volunteers for guest speakers on a wide range of medieval topics. The conference will also include fun medieval themed games, medieval dancing troupe, discussions, video/zoom presentations, quizzes, book and table sales, prizes and raffles as well as a themed medieval banquet – costumes optional but highly recommended. Morning/Afternoon tea and lunch included.
Organisers still have a number of rooms on hold for Richard III delegates at the Springs Motel Mittagong, both 4 star and budget rooms.
More information can be obtained from Denise Rawling (deniserawling3@gmail.com) or Helen Portus (helenportus@gmail.com).
Branch Talk
NORTH MERCIA BRANCH
THE KING’S WORK: THE DEFENCE OF THE NORTH YORKIST KINGS: 1471-1485 BY ANNE F SUTTON
SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2024 AT 2.00PM. THE CROWN HOTEL, NANTWICH
A talk given by Margaret Byrne, Secretary of the West Merseyside and Southport Group.
Contact Marion Moulton at tedandbess1943@gmail.com
Branch Talk
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
‘THE FIRST BRITISH MILITARY SURGEON – THE LIFE OF WILLIAM HOBBES’ BY STUART ORME
17TH OCTOBER 2024 AT 7.00PM, KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, LEICESTER
William Hobbes was the first Sergeant Surgeon (Chief Military Surgeon) in our history, court physician to Edward IV and Richard III, and a rarity in that he was a university educated physician who was also a surgeon. There are also questions about how much he knew of Richard III’s hidden scoliosis, as well as Hobbes’ scandalous personal life! Discover his intriguing life and times in this talk.
Meetings are free to Branch members, but visitors are requested to donate £3.00 towards the expenses of the meeting.
For more information please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.
Branch Talk
NORTH MERCIA BRANCH
THE BARBER SURGEON
SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2024 AT 2.00PM. THE CROWN HOTEL, NANTWICH
A talk by Eddie Smallwood.
Contact Marion Moulton at tedandbess1943@gmail.com
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
‘EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY (HOW ARTISTS HID STORIES IN THEIR PAINTINGS)’ BY EDDIE SMALLWOOD
21ST NOVEMBER 2024AT 7.00PM, KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, LEICESTER
A welcome return by Eddie Smallwood who will enlighten us on the hidden symbolism put into certain images by the artists. Sometimes paintings were used as a way of telling stories, while others were pieces of propaganda. You may be familiar with some of the pictures, but are you aware of the stories behind them?
Meetings are free to Branch members, but visitors are requested to donate £3.00 towards the expenses of the meeting.
For more information please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.
Branch Talk
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
‘THE WARS OF THE ROSES AND THE SENGOKU JIDAI’ BY JOE ROBEY
20TH MARCH 2025 AT 7.00PM, KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, LEICESTER
Joe Robey will tell us about some of the striking similarities between the Wars of the Roses and the Period of Constant Unrest in Japan. He will also reference the contrasts and similarities between Europe’s Knights and Japan’s Samurai. This is the delayed talk from July 2023.
Meetings are free to Branch members, but visitors are requested to donate £3.00 towards the expenses of the meeting.
For more information please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.
Branch Talk
LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH
‘PILGRIMAGES’ BY PETER LIDDLE
17TH APRIL 2005 AT 7.00M, KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE, LEICESTER
People went on pilgrimages for many reasons. Some went to ask forgiveness for their sins, others to pray for fertility and some sites were purported to have healing powers. Pilgrimages were also big business as inns were needed on the pilgrim routes to accommodate travellers and naturally there was always the opportunity to purchase ‘holy relics’. Peter Liddle will tell us the story of medieval pilgrimages.
Meetings are free to Branch members, but visitors are requested to donate £3.00 towards the expenses of the meeting.
For more information please contact the Branch Secretary Sally Henshaw at sallyoftarahill@gmail.com.