The end of an era – York explores the legacy of Richard III during JORVIK Medieval Festival
1 – 31 August 2015
Few historic kings have received as much coverage and discussion over the last two years as the last medieval monarch, Richard III, and stories from his recent rediscovery, to the myths surrounding his life will be explored during a series of highlight events and lectures during the JORVIK Medieval Festival.
One of the headline events of this year’s festival will be a lecture by Philippa Langley – the screenwriter who led the ‘Looking for Richard Project’ which successfully unearthed the long-lost Sovereign. The event, which takes place at York Guildhall on 25 August, will explore the years of research – and a long battle to actually dig where the team thought Richard might be buried – that led to his discovery.
“We were delighted when Philippa agreed to contribute exhibits to the Richard III Experience in Monk Bar, so it is wonderful to be welcoming her back for this lecture when she can tell the story of this remarkable investigation in her own words,” comments Sarah Maltby, director of attractions for the JORVIK Group, which organises the festival. “When you hear of all the obstacles faced by the team before they broke the first piece of ground, this discovery really was like finding a needle in a haystack, and yet it has such huge ramifications for our understanding of this often maligned monarch.”
Indeed, the mythology surrounding Richard III will be explored and examined by historian and author Dr John Ashdown-Hill on 22 August at York Explore. As a member of the University of Leicester’s Richard III Project, Dr Ashdown-Hill will share unique insights into the monarch, addressing some of the contemporary stories which the recent discovery has proved to be inaccurate, and looking at what some of the new findings have revealed about the King’s lifestyle.
The relationship of Richard III to his beloved city of York throughout his life will be reviewed by Dr Sarah Rees Jones of the University of York on 23 August at York Explore, whilst his son – Edward of Middleham – will be the focus of a lecture at Barley Hall on 24 August by Ricardian historian, Peter Hammond. The only legitimate son of Richard III was created Prince of Wales in York Minster in 1483, but sadly died the following year.
Other events relating to the Plantagenet monarch include a living history encampment at The Crooked Billet in Saxton, near Tadcaster on 3 August (12 noon until 3.00pm), and a series of walks around York’s city walls, starting from the Richard III Experience at Monk Bar and finishing at the Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar, with an expert guide bringing tales of one of the most turbulent periods on English history – the Wars of the Roses – to life. The 90 minute walk takes place daily from 24 – 28 August at 2.30pm.
Full details of all of the events in the JORVIK Medieval Festival, including how to book, are available online at www.jorvikmedievalfestival.com
ENDS
For further media information or photographs, please contact:
Jay Commins
Pyper York Limited
Tel: 01904 500698
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk
Photographs are available by following the links at the bottom of this email, or from http://news.cision.com/the-jorvik-group-of-attractions
