Richard's Ghost

I saw this today on the internet. Yes, I know. You can see everything and anything on the internet. And this is from the Daily Mail, after all.

Here is the link:
Medium claims these images PROVE that the ghost of Richard III now haunts his final resting place in Leicester Cathedral.

Essentially, medium Christine Hamlett of Northwich, Cheshire, was visiting Leicester Cathedral recently, wanting to pay her respects to King Richard, and she had a peaceful feeling in the cathedral which she attributed to Richard's presence. Having been there myself during the Reinterment, I can say there was a calm feeling there that day, too, although not being psychically inclined, I would not have attributed it only to Richard. I do like to think that he was there that day, however.

Anyway, she took some photographs and when she went back to look at them, there was Richard's face looking out from a stone slab in the floor! I think the stone slab in the picture is right outside the area where the tomb is located.

Why do you think Richard's face would be in that place and not closer to the tomb, either next to it or hovering over it? I would like to examine this slab myself. I suspect a lot of people will be headed to the Cathedral soon to do just that, all snapping photos to see if they can see Richard's ghost.

Another ghostly reference to Richard appeared in this article. In nearby Donington le Heath Manor House, a 700-year-old building near Leicester, some ghost hunters claimed they had recorded the actual voice of Richard speaking to them in the bedroom where he last slept!

Why would Richard be in Donington le Heath Manor House? One story is that he spent his last night there. Richard must have had several last nights, since he is also said to have stayed at the Blue Boar in town.

Richard III and the Ghosts
Henry Fuseli & William Blake, ca. 1806

I am a fan of stories of ghosts and haunted places. My favourite movies are all about haunted houses, hotels, ships, and people. So when I hear stories about my two favourite things--ghost stories and Richard III--combined together, I get very excited!

When is the next ghost hunt at Leicester Cathedral? I'm signing up!

Finding Richard

Recently we celebrated the 530th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth and the death of Richard III. 

By all accounts Richard fought valiantly, as did his men. It just didn't work out for him, due to unfortunate circumstances. We could say "What if...?" What if Richard's horse hadn't gotten stuck in the boggy ground? What if Richard, who was only a sword's length away from Henry, had managed to kill him him, too? What if...

Although I was not in England celebrating the anniversary by witnessing the reenactment at the Bosworth Battlefield, I have been finding Richard in various ways all around me.

This summer I found a tiny flowering plant for my garden called "White Knight" Alyssum. Of course, I had to have some because who was the White Knight? Richard III of course! 

My husband thought it funny that the garden company that produces this plant is called "Proven Winner." But I think Richard is a proven winner; despite having lost in battle, he is far more well-known and remembered today than Henry VII,

I recently went to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Two sculptures invoked thoughts of Richard for me.

The first, called "Cabin Creek" by artist Deborah Butterfield. In the description about the sculpture, which I read after viewing it, the artist had hopes to create a form of an intelligent mare rather than a war horse. For me, though, not knowing this, I saw something else. 

The lines of the horse, with the strong horizontal piece in the mane area, was reminiscent of a sword. The horse's head is down, waiting for the indication from it's imagined rider to charge into battle. I could picture Richard sitting on this horse at the top of the hill, holding his sword at the ready, and watching Henry and his troops approach.

Another sculpture that inspired me was "Torso of a Knight." by artist Jean Arp, a significant artist in both dadaism and surrealism.

Suit of Armour
Grand Rapids
Public Museum

We are meant to see a helmeted knight, in armour. He is standing, resolute and brave, watching for the battle to start. Knights in armour must stand straight and tall because of the rigidity of the metal. This reinforces the idea of firmness and strength, as well as some austerity.

What is our knight thinking while he is waiting for the battle to begin? He is probably thinking that some, even many of his soldiers will be injured or die, and even he may not make it. Richard had to be thinking of that as he contemplated the battlefield. The day would end with victory for one side or the other.

When I am at home, I bravely fly my own Royal Standard. It reminds me of Richard every time I see it waving in the breeze.

And at my own birthday, celebrated soon after the Battle Anniversary, who did I include in the decorations? King Richard, of course!