Comments on: York v Leicester: battle for the bones

By: Chunter

Chunter — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:15:24 +0000

‘… many of the comments I’ve read suggest there’s not only widespread ignorance of the place but a certain amount of disdain too: it’s not posh enough for a king, it seems.’

It’s been much worse than that on some message boards. For some people Leicester’s population isn’t sufficiently ‘English’ (ie white).

I’m sure Leicester (in the form of the Hallaton-Medbourne Easter Monday bottle kickers) would be up for a melee. For something on a smaller scale there’s of course Manu Tuilagi and his Leicester Tigers team mates.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottle-kicking )

By: YorkStories

YorkStories — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:42:19 +0000

And of course, so many never get to go ‘home’.

http://www.yorkstories.co.uk/blog/2012/12/22/york-looks-like-home-to-me-john-woolman/

By: YorkStories

YorkStories — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:26:53 +0000

So … there’s enthusiasm for the melee, but no one wants to do the actual painful fighting bit. Back to the more ‘refined’ jousting idea perhaps?

Good to read your thoughts on this Chris, and to get a resident’s view of the sudden interest in Leicester, and the unveiling of the bones. I admit to being ignorant about Leicester, and many of the comments I’ve read suggest there’s not only widespread ignorance of the place but a certain amount of disdain too: it’s not posh enough for a king, it seems.

Interesting piece in York Mix recently exploring Leicester’s history: http://www.yorkmix.com/opinion/why-york-should-give-up-its-claim-to-king-richard-iii/

Lynne, you’re right, there has clearly been much interest in Richard III, dating from well before the recent events, and of course in the way he has been represented.

I was struck by your comment ‘I dont think most of the people who want Richard brought to York care about the money aspect and most dont live anywhere near York.’

I’ve noticed this fact you mention, that many of the ‘bring him home’ supporters don’t actually live in this home they want to ‘return’ him to. It must be recognised that York Minster is at the centre of a community of people living in the here and now, and the majority haven’t lobbied for these remains to be buried here.

This page was initially prompted by reading comments under the articles on this page:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10213806.Minster_does_not_want_remains_of_Richard_III/

and this one:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10218188.Family_bid_for_Richard_III_s_return/

– and various others … accusing the Minster of ‘betrayal’, being ‘corrupt’, asking if the Dean is a ‘moron’, etc etc.

Not bringing out the best in people, is it …

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:14:09 +0000

PS While I’m theoretically up for a general melee to settle the matter, I’m unwilling to have gender stereotypes reinforced, as they will be if Lisa and Ailsa’s role is confined to swooning, etc. On that basis, and because it’s more fun,I’d rather sit it out with them in the pub, commentating.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:09:52 +0000

Nice one, Lisa – I have written a kind-of-respose to this, in fact to the whole dead monarch thing, here: http://bloodandtreasure.typepad.com/blood_treasure/2013/02/richard-the-third-part-57.html
The problem with the reburial at Bosworth idea is that there’s quite a lot of controversy about where that battle actually was. I’m not especially bothered either way, although I would get behind any effort to find the remains of Lambert Simnel and stick them somewhere bosky.

By: Mallory

Mallory — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:24:12 +0000

A Melee! find a field, call the St Johns Ambulance, invite the protagonists, i’ll organise the ticket sales..

I still believe he should be put back in the field where the men who fought for him lie, they the ones who should be remembered, not the over-privileged elite..