The world’s eyes are on Leicester this week as the remains of Richard III are reburied with great pomp and ceremony in the city’s cathedral.
Having lost the battle to lay the former king to rest here, York is marking the occasion with processions and exhibitions.
After all, the last Plantagenet king and the city whose name he took were members of a mutual fan club back in the day.
So how is York paying its respects?
The day itself: Thursday, March 26
A Solemn Choral Evensong will be held to commemorate King Richard III at York Minster, starting at 5.15pm. All are welcome.
The service will include a prayer composed for the service by the Dean of Leicester.
– Very Reverend Dean Vivienne Faull of York Minster
Procession of VIPs
Following the service at 6.20pm, from the Minster’s South Door, a procession led by the civic party and senior clergy will walk across the Piazza, along Stonegate to St Helen’s Square and end outside the Mansion House.
The public is invited to line the route to pay their respects to the king.
A mayoral address
From the Mansion House steps, the Lord Mayor of York Cllr Ian Gillies will address the procession which will disperse. Full Council in the Guildhall will begin at the later time of 6.45pm.
This work and the events planned for March are bringing two great English cities closer together through their shared interest in and affection for Richard III.
– Lord Mayor Ian Gillies
New Richard III Exhibitions
On Friday, March 27 a new display about York’s favourite dead royal will open its doors.
Richard III: Man & Myth will use the Yorkshire Museum’s collections alongside treasures from across Yorkshire. It will look at the myths and distorted truths that have shaped much modern opinion on Richard compared to the hard facts.
The Yorkshire Museum is home to some fantastic treasures which relate to the monarch and it is with these that will be looking into the truth and myths which still surround his short life and reign.
– Dr Janet Barnes, chief executive at York Museums Trust
The Richard III Experience
Opened last week, the Monk Bar museum’s new exhibition includes the oldest gun barrel in Europe, one of a number of treasures from recovered from the Battle Of Towton, dating from 1461.
This was a key battle in the Wars Of The Roses, which led to Richard III’s own enthronement 20 years later.
Other items on display include a skeleton, believed to be that of a Civil War soldier executed on Knavesmire, and the remains of a chapel that Richard III commissioned to mourn the fallen soldiers of Towton.
David Michael Bellamy 🙂