Richard III & The Greyfriars Project I

Artist Unknown, 'Richard III'

Leicester is often used to epitomise the boring or unexciting.  Yet, I’m always surprised by how much colourful history lies on, or just below, the surface near my home.  My photos of Leicester’s New Street show a moderately attractive, largely overlooked lane in Leicester’s modest legal quarter.  However, the City Council car park behind those unremarkable green gates, (this is Leicester, after all), is currently the site of a significant archaeological excavation of The Greyfriars Friary that might just uncover the lost remains of Richard III.

The Greyfriars Project is a joint enterprise between Leicester University Archaeological Services and The Richard III Society, - those indefatigable defenders of his reputation.  It draws on the latest evidence about the location of the lost monastic church where Richard’s grave was supposedly situated.  The impressive team assembled includes military, medical and genetic expertise alongside the archaeologists.  The project’s instigation by Philippa Langley, - a screenwriter as well as an R3 Soc. member, and involvement of Channel 4, highlight how History is always as much about accounts as it is about facts.

'Loyalty Binds Me',  Richard's White Boar Emblem

Richard’s defeat to Henry Tudor at Bosworth Field and the ending of the preceding period of civil war is well documented.  I have previously alluded here to local folklore around what happened to his body afterwards and how it relates to persistent controversy over his public profile and the accuracy of the official account.  My own engagement with the subject comes both as a legacy of my school studies and fascination with the physical and textual clues evident in my current neighbourhood.

Sir Lawence Olivier Directs Himself As Richard In The 1955 Film

Ian McKellen plays Richard In The 1995
Film Version, (Dir, Richard Loncraine).

The image of a deformed, megalomaniac murderer of nephews and sexual predator, of popular imagination derives primarily from Shakespeare and a legacy of grotesque stage and screen characterisations of his Richard character.  However much we thrill at this parade of lurching cripples and fascist dictators, our contemporary understanding of propaganda and media manipulation must arouse plenty of cynicism about Shakespeare’s neutrality.  The Tudor dynasty were never so secure in their claim to the throne that they could ignore any chance to discredit Richard’s own worthiness and with it the lingering Plantagenet case.  Shakespeare might not have enjoyed the career he did without propagating the victor’s account so enthusiastically.

Anthony Sher Plays Richard, Royal
Shakespeare Company, 1984

Kevin Spacey On Stage As Richard, Old Vic, 2012

The colourful story of his disinterment from Greyfriars Friary and disposal in the River Soar as unwanted refuse at the time of Monastic Dissolution must be seen in this light, however much locals enjoy believing there’s still a crown buried in the river bed.  If DNA profiling can prove Richard still lies at Greyfriars, that particular legend would be confirmed as historical propaganda.

On my way home from New Street I passed our public statue of Richard, tucked behind the railings of Castle Gardens.  When originally situated more prominently, it was apparently a target for regular vandalism but, since relocation, has been left undisturbed.  It seems that the citizens of Leicester are undecided about him and, for now, his status remains up for grabs.