Monday 4 February 2013

Exciting news.

What exciting news that the skeleton unearthed in Leicester has indeed been confirmed as that of Richard III beyond doubt.   I am really fascinated by the whole thing and am looking forward to the programme about it on television tonight.   The farmer, on the other hand, is pretty underwhelmed I would say.

Considering that he was only the actual king of England for two years (1483-5) he achieved remarkable notoriety -mainly I think because he is always portrayed as a "baddie", particularly as he is widely believed to have murdered his two nephews in the Tower.

Having just read a couple of Cees Nooteboom chapters about the royal houses of Spain and how they intermarried to the point of incest, just to keep the throne 'in the family' so to speak , nothing would surprise me about history here in the UK at that time.   But of course, nothing can be proved about anything after all this time.

There is no doubt that Richard's character is disputed and - had he lived after Bosworth -he might have been an able ruler.   What is for sure, now that they have verified that the skeleton found in Leicester is indeed Richard's, is that a lot of people hated him.   The inuries to his body are enormous - something like seven wounds to the head, all of which would have killed him instantly - plus various other wounds to the body.   Life was hard and cruel and life was also cheap in those days wasn't it (as it still is in some parts of the world today.)?

If you want to know more about Richard's childhood home of Middleham Castle, only four miles from our farm, go to their site.  It is run now by English Heritage and is still a formidable building.  

On a completely different note I see that another of our MP's has fallen from grace today by pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice or somesuch.  I might be getting old, and I know that I am wrong to think like this, but I still belong to that group of people who expect my Members of Parliament to be honest and straightforward; and when they are not then I am - yet again - disappointed. 

20 comments:

angryparsnip said...

Unlike your farmer I too am so interested in this news.

I have always been very fascinated by English history and the whole Richard III story is so interesting. Was he evil or just consolidating his power or just a way for the Tutors to gain power. Look at Henry the VIII he killed just about everyone adversaries, friends and family, in his quest for power. As you said life was cheap.
I can't believe Middleham Castle is only four miles from your home.
le sigh !

cheers, parsnip

Heather said...

I feel the same about MPs Pat - they should most certainly be honest and dependable. I too am looking forward to tonight's programme about Richard III. Isn't it amazing that technology has enabled his remains to be identified after all those years?

George said...

i am fascinated by this DNA confirmation of Richard III's remains. How odd and distorted it seems to find a monarch's remains beneath a paved parking lot!

Rachel Phillips said...

The man is an out and out liar. No integrity. To think that only a year ago he stood there and said he was innocent and today he says he is guilty

I am under-whelmed about the skeleton and just turned the radio off because they were talking about it again.

MorningAJ said...

I think the news about Richard III is wonderful. I'm looking forward to learning more about him. They are planning to use the skull to recreate his face. Apparently there are no portraits left that were painted in his lifetime.

As for MPs, I think anyone who wants to go into politics is probably a bit shifty anyway.

Tom Stephenson said...

No longer can we use the king as a piece of Cockney Rhyming Slang. Sad.

Penny said...

Having read Josephine Tey's book 'A daughter of time' about Richard the 3rd I have always had a soft spot for a man who was villified by the Tudors many years after his death.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

So it seems that our leaders have changed little over the centuries! If I had a car I'd gladly park on top of the lot of 'em!

IsobelleGoLightly said...

My lady and I have been following this too! This is wonderfully exciting and interesting!

mrsnesbitt said...

Jon studied this play at school and refers to him as " Dick the Shit!" I keep a more conservative view.

Dartford Warbler said...

Shakespeare would have loved today`s news. The falling from grace of a living "leader" and the discovery of a long dead one. You almost couldn`t make it up!

A day of fascinating news.

A said...

As a bit of an armchair anthropologist, this is really cool to me. I had been out of the loop on this one until now, but it's nice to see new things being discovered all the time.

Country Gal said...

They also have a blood relative that is there of the king they did a DNA test and it came out right as rain for him and he is a fellow Canadian . That would be strange to find out you are blood related to a king after all these years a bit of a shock I would think ! All politicians are full of it ! Have a good day !

Pondside said...

I have little respect for politicians and I believe there are many who share that view. I wish there would be ONE who'd just be honest.
The news about Richard interests me greatly. I like the Canadian connection!

Hildred said...

I saw a little clip on the news this evening of the Canadian family, - descendents of Richard lll, who helped establish proof of identity. Very interesting.....

ArtPropelled said...

Even here in South Africa all our newspapers have articles about Richard III today. An exciting discovery indeed!

Elizabeth said...

New York Times full of it today though I had heard about the probable findings a couple of months ago.
As a history buff I love this sort of thing!

mumasu said...

I too have always been interested in the story of Richard III and am really glad it turned out to be him. And yes it is a bit gobsmacking at how his head has been hacked about. Testament I 'spose to the fury such a battlefield would produce, When I try to imagine how it would have been my mind shys away in horror.

I am shocked but unfortunately not surprised at the MP struck low.

Anonymous said...

Have been following the Richard 111
skeletal discovery with fascination for quite some time through Archeological updates and newsletters that arrive via email - I've always been fascinated by archeology and wished I'd made it a career, so was thrilled about this.
Our politicians here in Australia have certain individuals in their numbers being investigated for child pornography, corruption, diverting union funds into prostitute services - the list goes on. They are not stood down and continue their well-paid sittings in parliament until their trial (well into the future) takes place. One of the men, the Speaker of the House resigned recently over a sexual harrassement case with a young male on his parliamentary staff - they all resign with a huge payout, pension and privileges. Not right. At least they appear to be found out eventually.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for calling in. Yes, it seems we are all of one mind when it comes to our politicians. Sad - but maybe it has always been so - humans are frail.
Now the controversy about Richard seems to be centred on where he should be buried. Personally, I plump for York - after all he was married there and chose it as 'his' church, so it he could have a say in the matter I think he would choose there.