[Kapellmeister]

I think not.

It seems really unfortunate that the excavation licence granted by the government gave Leicester council and the university the right to decide what happpened to any burials they discovered.

Richard III had no connection with Leicester other than staying there prior to Bosworth and his body returning there after the battle. Surely a more suitable location would be York Minster? Sadly, like medieval monks before them, the people of Leicester, the councillors and the mayor especially, see nothing but tourist money filling their coffers. After all, there is no reason at the moment for anyone to visit Leicester as it's a complete dump, it's once historical townscape shredded by 20th century redevelopment.

The city didn't even have a cathedral until 1927. Richard III, the last Plantagenet king of England, will now be buried in a glorified parish church, most of which was rebuilt by the Victorians. York Minster, or Westminster Abbey, are obviously more fitting locations, but no. The greedy councillors of Leicester will force a reburial in their 'city'. A final insult, especially as it seems likely that the majority of the population of Leicester wouldn't have a clue about the Wars of the Roses or have any interest in Engish history.

York Minster:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster

Leicester Cathedral:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicester_Cathedral

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Well, it's kudos for us here in Leicestershire!

[Mr Teacake]

Gary Lineker for curator!!!

[Kapellmeister]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Lazarus

Well, it's kudos for us here in Leicestershire!

Fair enough, but can't you see that it's inappropriate? I have no affiliation with York, London or Leicester but Leicester is clearly the least suitable location, true?

[vosne]

Tbf, there's bugger all ever happens in Leicester so at least he'll have a quiet time of it.

[Electra]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Lazarus

Well, it's kudos for us here in Leicestershire!

I disagree. In fact I think the insistence of burying him there reflects badly on Leicester. It just makes you look greedy.

He was King of England & so belongs to the nation, not the place where he was buried in haste. He should be re-interred in a manner & location befitting a monarch.

Westminster Abbey would, imo, be the most suitable location.

[exlordlucan]

Leicester needs something to be famous for so what an opportunity, however I fully agree with you that it should be either York Minster or Westminster Abbey, both places are fit for a King.

[slappers r us]

York Minister should be his last resting place

[Kapellmeister]

Originally Posted by Electra

I disagree. In fact I think the insistence of burying him there reflects badly on Leicester. It just makes you look greedy.

He was King of England & so belongs to the nation, not the place where he was buried in haste. He should be re-interred in a manner & location befitting a monarch.

Westminster Abbey would, imo, be the most suitable location.

I agree. The Leicester mayor particularly, Peter Soulsby, has emerged as a figure clearly only interested in the financial implications of the discovery.

Nearly all the great medieval and Tudor kings and queens have been buried in either secular/monastic cathedrals or great abbey churches. Leicester's pitiful 'cathedral' is neither. To force a burial there is quite disgraceful.

[80sfan]

They could rename the Haymarket Centre to reflect their now regal connection with something more fitting

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Originally Posted by exlordlucan

Leicester needs something to be famous for

Gary Lineker? Showaddywaddy? Englebert Humperdinck? Developing the DNA fingerprint at the university?

[Lizzy11268]

Yeah I don't think he cares.

[Hogzilla]

No. Didn't he ask in his own will to be buried at York Minster, and a chapel was built?

Struck me as rather strange that programme last night with the Richard III Society woman weeping and wailing and all that stuff with the standard over his cardboard box, etc etc and yet she didn't insist his will was carried out? And all that talk about respecting his remains but why bother if they are then going to disrespect his body by putting it in the very city where his body was attacked? TBH Leicester Cathedral is probably about as attractive as a municipal car-park so they might as well have left him there. I have been to Leicester countless times and can't even remember the 'cathedral'. York Minster is the most spectacular building in the UK, and the place he asked to be put. He'd be better left in the cardboard box, than buried amongst the people who hated him.

[tysonstorm]

A fitting place for Richard The Turd.

[HenryGarten]

Wasn't Richard III a Catholic?

[Lizzy11268]

Originally Posted by HenryGarten

Wasn't Richard III a Catholic?

Yes I was having this discussion with my brother in law yesterday. He said

should we be burying a devouted catholic in a 19th century protestant church in a provincial backwater? especially given that the new faith was steam-rollered in by the son of the man that usurped his throne so he could try and produce a male heir?

And my reply was

I'm not convinced he cares that much. One religious dude being much like another religious dude I guess. Plus. You know. dead and all.

[ladymoanalot]

Is it not up to Liz to decide what happens?

[Lizzy11268]

Originally Posted by ladymoanalot

Is it not up to Liz to decide what happens?

Ooh I hope it is up to me

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Has he got any descendants who can be consulted?

[soulboy77]

Originally Posted by Electra

I disagree. In fact I think the insistence of burying him there reflects badly on Leicester. It just makes you look greedy.

He was King of England & so belongs to the nation, not the place where he was buried in haste. He should be re-interred in a manner & location befitting a monarch.

Westminster Abbey would, imo, be the most suitable location.

The choices are really:

- Westminster Abbey where his wife is buried.
- York Minster where he said in his will that he wanted to be buried / as he is from the House of York.
- St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle where Royalty at that time were normally buried.
- Leicester Cathedral because he was killed nearby / originally buried locally in haste.

[HenryGarten]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Lazarus

Has he got any descendants who can be consulted?

Michael Ibsen.

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Originally Posted by HenryGarten

Michael Ibsen.

Who's he? Anyone well known?

If he has got descendants who says bring him back from Leicestershire, then yes, go ahead and do that.

[HenryGarten]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Lazarus

Who's he?

They guy they took the DNA from.

[TeeGee]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Lazarus

Gary Lineker? Showaddywaddy? Englebert Humperdinck? Developing the DNA fingerprint at the university?

Simon and Garfunkel performed at the de Montfort Hall many years ago.

On a serious note (and as a Lancastrian when we had proper counties) York would seem the most appropriate place and offer the greatest respect.

[Kapellmeister]

Originally Posted by TeeGee

Simon and Garfunkel performed at the de Montfort Hall many years ago.

On a serious note (and as a Lancastrian when we had proper counties) York would seem the most appropriate place and offer the greatest respect.

It seems grossly inappropriate for one of England's most famous, controversial and fascinating monarchs to be buried in stinking Leicester!!!

The government should step in and order Leicester to give up the remains for reburial in a suitable location i.e. Westminster Abbey or York Minster. A medieval king should be buried in a fitting location, not squirreled away in a mediocre Victorian parish church with no historical connections to the king. Even Middleham parish church would be preferable! It would be nice if, for once, the right thing could be done.