Enjoy a family day out and find out more about Richard III by attending one of many special events in Leicester. Listings are in date order and will be updated regularly so keep checking back to stay up to date with the latest events.
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Richard III Guided Walk
Wednesday 15th May
Meet at Town Hall
7.00pm
This walk, devised and led by Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby, is a rarity in that it tells the story of the rise and fall of this tragic and much-maligned king chronologically while visiting the many sites in Leicester's Old Town with which he is associated.
£5.00 on the night or £4.00 in advance.
> Find out more information on the Crosby Heritage website
Leicester Book Festival Presents: Sarah Gristwood
Friday 17th May
The Guildhall
7.30pm
Sarah Gristwood will be talking about her new book Blood Sisters, an account of the women involved in The War of the Roses, one of whom was Anne Neville, wife of Richard III. For more details on the event visit www.book-fest.com.
£10.00 / £8.00. To book tickets please contact The Guildhall on 0116 2532569
Evening Talk with Richard Buckley, University of Leicester Archaeological Service (ULAS)
Medieval Leicester and the Search for Richard III
Saturday 25th May
7.00pm
The Guildhall
Richard Buckley speaks about the Richard III project, from how they worked out where to look, through the excavation and what they found, to how the team were able to identify the skeleton as Richard III and work out how he died. Tea & coffee provided. Booking essential. £3.50.
Tel: 0116 253 2569
Richard lll Gravesite Tours
Blue Badge Guide
25th & 26th May
10.00am – 4.00pm
Meet at New Street car park, opposite Leicester Cathedral
A rare opportunity to view King Richard lll’s gravesite, the resting place of the King for over 500 years. Tours every 30 minutes, first tour 10am and then every half hour. Free.
For information call: 0116 2532569
Richard lll Documentaries
25th & 29th May
The Guildhall
11.30am – Richard lll Press Launch: the official announcement of the discovery of Richard lll
1.00pm – Richard lll: The King in the Car Park
3.00pm – Richard lll: The Unseen Story
A chance to revisit the press launch of the Richard lll discovery and to view the two Channel 4 documentaries. See all the behind-the-scenes action from the only team allowed to follow the scientists every step of the way. Free, drop-in event.
T: 0116 253 2569
The ‘King in the Car Park’ DVD and the follow-up, ‘The Unseen Story’, will be available to buy from The Guildhall (Guildhall Lane) or the Visit Leicester Centre (Gallowtree Gate) from 27th May, price £19.99.
Richard lll - The Leicester Connection
Blue Badge Guided Walks
25th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th & 31st May
11.00am
Meet outside Leicester Cathedral
A guided walk around Leicester looking at significant sites including the Bow Bridge, the Newarke, the site of the Blue Boar Inn, the recent excavation site and the new Richard lll Exhibition at the Guildhall. Booking essential. £3.50/£3.00 concessions.
T: 0116 2994444
Afternoon Talk with Mathew Morris, ULAS
Sunday 26th May
1.00pm
The Guildhall
Mathew Morris is the Greyfriars Project’s fieldwork director and the archaeologist who first found Richard III. He looks at the whole Richard III project, from how they worked out where to look, through the excavation and what they found, to how the team were able to identify the skeleton as Richard III and work out how he died. His talk has a particular focus on the archaeological and osteological evidence from the dig. Booking essential. £3.50.
Tel: 0116 253 2569
Knights & Princesses
Wednesday 29th May
11.00am – 3.00pm
The Guildhall
Come along and make a helmet, shield & sword, or create your own beautiful princess hat and accessories. Wear your best knight or princess costume! £2.50, drop-in event.
Castles & Clay
Thursday 30th May
11.00am – 3.00pm
Wygston’s House
Half term fun for all the family! Create castles with clay and lots more including trails & face painting. Also a great chance to see Wygston’s House, one of Leicester’s oldest timber framed buildings. Only 5 minutes walk from the Guildhall & Richard lll exhibition. £2.50 for children.
T: 0116 2532569
Richard lll Performance with Jadis Shadows
Now is the Winter of our Discontent (The Rise and Fall of The White Boar)
Friday 31st May
7.30pm
The Guildhall
“Now is the winter of his discontent”… Richard Plantagenet has become a creature of legendary evil and corruption in the minds of public opinion; a hunchback of murderous ambition. Yet while the propaganda of Shakespeare’s dramatic creation has become readily accepted as fact, the gentler truth about this skilled warrior, polished courtier and able statesman is often overlooked.
In this new, specially commissioned play another side of Richard III is examined.
England is in bloody turmoil, brother turning against brother, father against son. A rampant battle for power rages as an audience is invited to revaluate Richard through the eyes of the strong and determined women who surrounded him; his wife, Anne Neville; the sensual dowager Queen, Elizabeth Woodville and the indomitable Margaret Beaufort, mother of the future Henry VII, matriarch of the dawning Tudor dynasty.
Tickets £12.50 (£10.50 concession). Please book by calling: 0116 2532569.
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Richard lll Gravesite Tours
Blue Badge Guide
1st & 2nd June
10.00am – 4.00pm
Meet at New Street car park, opposite Leicester Cathedral
A rare opportunity to view King Richard lll’s gravesite, the resting place of the King for over 500 years. Tours every 30 minutes, first tour 10am and then every half hour. Free.
For information call: 0116 2532569
Richard lll Performance with Jadis Shadows
Now is the Winter of our Discontent (The Rise and Fall of The White Boar)
Saturday 1st June
7.30pm
The Guildhall
“Now is the winter of his discontent”… Richard Plantagenet has become a creature of legendary evil and corruption in the minds of public opinion; a hunchback of murderous ambition. Yet while the propaganda of Shakespeare’s dramatic creation has become readily accepted as fact, the gentler truth about this skilled warrior, polished courtier and able statesman is often overlooked.
In this new, specially commissioned play another side of Richard III is examined.
England is in bloody turmoil, brother turning against brother, father against son. A rampant battle for power rages as an audience is invited to revaluate Richard through the eyes of the strong and determined women who surrounded him; his wife, Anne Neville; the sensual dowager Queen, Elizabeth Woodville and the indomitable Margaret Beaufort, mother of the future Henry VII, matriarch of the dawning Tudor dynasty.
Tickets £12.50 (£10.50 concession). Please book by calling: 0116 2532569.
Conflict 1485 …Prepare for Battle!
2nd June
11am to 3pm
The Guildhall
Come and meet the soldiers of King Richard lll. See the amazing arms and armour the soldiers wore as they marched to fight the usurper Henry Tudor on Bosworth Battlefield. This was the decisive battle of the War of the Roses known to some as the Fields of Treason. Try your hand at bill drill both young and old prepare to defend your King and his crown !!
£1 entry drop in. For enquiries, call 0116 253 2569.
Richard lll Society at the Guildhall
Sunday 2nd June
11.00am – 4.00pm
The Guildhall
The Richard llI society have been working since 1924 to secure a more balanced assessment of the king and to support research into his life and times. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the king and fifteenth-century history. A chance to find out more about the society and Richard lll. Free.
Book signing with Richard lll Author David Baldwin
Sunday 2nd June
12noon – 3pm
The Guildhall
A great opportunity to meet local author David Baldwin and get a signed copy of his book, Richard lll. David taught for many years at the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham. He has long been fascinated by the enigma of Richard lll and the many interpretations of his life and reign. Free.
Afternoon talk with Turi King
Sunday 2nd June
4.00pm
The Guildhall
Dr Turi King is a lecturer with the University of Leicester in Genetics and Archaeology. She looks at the whole Richard III project, from how they worked out where to look, through the excavation and what they found, to how the team were able to identify the skeleton as Richard III and work out how he died. Her talk has a particular focus on the role of genetics and DNA in the project. Booking essential. £3.50.
Tel: 0116 253 2569
Richard lll Documentaries
2nd, 5th & 9th June
The Guildhall
11.30am – Richard lll Press Launch: the official announcement of the discovery of Richard lll
1.00pm – Richard lll: The King in the Car Park
3.00pm – Richard lll: The Unseen Story
A chance to revisit the press launch of the Richard lll discovery and to view the two Channel 4 documentaries. See all the behind-the-scenes action from the only team allowed to follow the scientists every step of the way. Free, drop-in event.
Dean’s Discussions: Richard Buckley
Tuesday 4 June 2013
7.00pm – 8.30pm
Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral’s series of discussions with leading figures at the University of Leicester begins with Richard Buckley, Lead Archaeologist of the dig which made the discovery of Richard III. £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
Evening Talk with Dr Jo Appleby – School of Archaeology and Ancient History
Tuesday 4th June
7.00pm
The Guildhall
Dr Jo Appleby is a Lecturer in Bioarchaeology in the School of Archaeology and Ancient History. She looks at the whole Richard III project, from how they worked out where to look, through the excavation and what they found, to how the team were able to identify the skeleton as Richard III and work out how he died. Her talk has a particular emphasis on the battle trauma and identifying traces of violence on the skeleton. Booking essential. £3.50.
Tel: 0116 253 2569
Richard III: Benevolent King or Murderous Tyrant?
Thursday 6th June
6.00pm – 9.00pm
University of Leicester
Join a panel of thought leaders, and an audience of policy makers, opinion leaders and leading economists as we debate ‘Richard III: Benevolent King or Murderous Tyrant?’ The event will be a Question Time style debate and panelists include: Phil Stone, Chairman of the Richard III Society; Paul Lay, Editor of History Today, and Dr Mary Ann Lund from the University of Leicester.
Tickets are free but strictly limited.
Book your place at www.leicesterexchanges.com
Dr John Ashdown-Hill – Book Signing
Sunday 9th June
3.00pm – 5.00pm
The Guildhall
Historian Dr John Ashdown-Hill is the author of esteemed book The Last Days of Richard III, which contains a new and uniquely detailed exploration of Richard III's last 150 days. It also covers the fascinating story of why, and how, Richard III's DNA was rediscovered, and living in Canada. John has produced a stimulating and thought-provoking account of the end of Richard's life. The archaeological project in Leicester was partly inspired by John’s original research relating to Richard III's burial. This is a unique opportunity to meet an integral player involved in the discovery of Richard III. Free event.
T: 0116 253 2569
Dean’s Discussions: Dr Turi King and Professor Kevin Schürer
Tuesday 11 June 2013
7.00pm – 8.30pm
Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral’s series of discussions with leading figures at the University of Leicester continues with Dr Turi King from the Department of Genetics and Professor Kevin Schürer, Pro Vice Chancellor. £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
Richard III Guided Walk
Monday 17th June
Meet at Town Hall
7.00pm
This walk, devised and led by Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby, is a rarity in that it tells the story of the rise and fall of this tragic and much-maligned king chronologically while visiting the many sites in Leicester's Old Town with which he is associated.
£5.00 on the night or £4.00 in advance.
> Find out more information on the Crosby Heritage website
Dean’s Discussions: Dr Sarah Knight and Dr Mary Ann Lund
Tuesday 18 June 2013
7.00pm – 8.30pm
Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral’s series of discussions with leading figures at the University of Leicester continues with Dr Sarah Knight, Senior Lecturer in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature, and Dr Mary Ann Lund from the Department of English.
£5.00 / £3.00 concessions
Dean’s Discussions: Dr Jo Appleby
Tuesday 25 June 2013
7.00pm – 8.30pm
Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral’s series of discussions with leading figures at the University of Leicester concludes with Dr Jo Appleby, Lecturer in Human Bioarchaeology. £5.00 / £3.00 concessions.
Richard lll - The Leicester Connection
Blue Badge Guided Walks
Every Saturday in June
11.00am
Meet outside Leicester Cathedral
A guided walk around Leicester looking at the significant sites including the Bow Bridge, the Newarke, the site of the Blue Boar Inn, the recent excavation site and the new Richard lll exhibition at The Guildhall. Booking essential, contact The Guildhall. £4.00
T: 0116 253 2569
Summer Reunion & Richard III Open Day
Saturday 29th June
10.00am – 4.00pm
University of Leicester
Come and join us on Saturday 29th June on campus for a day of social events, lectures, workshops and activities for all the family. Highlights include: Richard III open day - lectures from members of the Richard III project team, workshops, displays and demos; departmental anniversaries; students' union 90th celebration; social and family events such as a BBQ on the lawn, children's magic show, teddy bear hospital, rides and face-painters and academic involvement. Free to attend, please see the website to indicate your interest, pre- booking is required for some talks.
W: www.le.ac.uk
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The Loveliest Leicestershire White Rose
Deadline: Saturday 6th July
Competition to find the most beautiful locally grown white rose. Deadline 6 July 2013 (the coronation anniversary of Richard III) and the judging date. Open to all. The winner will receive £100 gardening vouchers, be a guest of honour at the Cathedral memorial service on 22 August and be invited that day to lay their blooms on Richard’s memorial stone.
For more details and an application form, please contact claire.recordon@leccofe.org
Conflict 1485 Bosworth Present… Wounds, Weapons and Warfare!
Sunday 7th July
11am to 3pm
The Guildhall
Visit the 15th century soldiers and campaigners at Leicester’s Guildhall as they demonstrate the devastating wounds and injuries delivered by their swords and pole arms. Set your eyes upon the surgeons table wares as he shows various procedures used on those injured in battle during the times of the War of the Roses.
£1 entry, drop in. For enquiries, call 0116 2532569.
R-3: Hunchback or Hero?
2 shows daily from Monday 15th July to Sunday 4th August at 1.30pm & 4.30pm, with some exceptions as follows: evening performance at 7.30pm only on 20th & 27th July and 2nd & 3rd August; no performances on 18th, 25th & 26th July and 1st August.
The Guildhall
Following the discovery of the body of Richard III in a car park, Centre Five Productions’ new play seeks to unearth the mind of the man. This one man show uses some of Shakespeare’s text, but also challenges Shakespeare’s interpretation. Running time 55 minutes approx. Tickets £7 for adults, £4 for students, over 65’s and under 12’s.
Tel: 0116 2532569
Festival of Archaeology: Search for the King in the Car Park!
Thursday 18th July
11.00am – 3.00pm
The Guildhall
Find out more about Richard III at our family fun day as part of the Festival of Archaeology! We will have archaeologist Matthew Morris from ULAS talking all about the discovering Richard lll in the car park, you will be able to make your own bones and tiles using the finds for inspiration. There will also be a chance for the adults to have a go at their very own craft session, creating a beautiful white rose out of tights. Children’s crafts £2.50 / Adult crafts £2.
Richard lll - The Leicester Connection
Blue Badge Guided Walks
Saturday 27th July
11.00am
Meet outside Leicester Cathedral
A guided walk around Leicester looking at the significant sites including the Bow Bridge, the Newarke, the site of the Blue Boar Inn, the recent excavation site and the new Richard lll exhibition at The Guildhall. Booking essential, contact The Guildhall.
£3.50/£3.00 concession
T: 0116 253 2569
Manike Music presents… Richard the lll - How do you bury a King? Manike Music might have the answer!
Sunday 28th July
The Guildhall
This signed Leicester based brother and sister team have been writing historic music for the Richard III Festival and a new album titled, “The Last Plantagenet.” For more information on Manike music, please visit their website www.manikemusic.com . Free drop-in event.
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Richard lll: Puppet fun day with Bill Brookman!
Thursday 1st August
11.00am – 3.00pm
The Guildhall
Bill Brookman is planning to unleash his Richard III puppet play on an unsuspecting audience. But be prepared! Maybe he has forgotten the puppets… or the plot? ...he will need plenty of help from children in the audience! There will be lots of crafts and quizzes and the opportunity to help us create a giant boar, the emblem of Richard III. £2.50, drop-in event.
Manike Music presents… Richard the lll - How do you bury a King? Manike Music might have the answer!
4th & 7th August
The Guildhall
This signed Leicester based brother and sister team have been writing historic music for the Richard III Festival and a new album titled, “The Last Plantagenet.” For more information on Manike music, please visit their website www.manikemusic.com . Free drop-in event.
Medieval funday!
Knights, Castles and Princesses
Thursday 15th August
11.00am – 3.00pm
The Guildhall
Come down to the Museum and get ready for battle! We’ll be making swords and shields so you can defend us against the opposition and create crowns and princess hats so you’ll be dressed the part too. There will be quizzes and trails and a face painter too. Get inspiration from our Richard lll exhibition & come dressed in your best princess and knight costume! 2.50, drop-in event.
Talk by Robert Gregory (Blue Badge Guide): Leicester and King Richard III
Sunday 18th August
2pm
Newarke Houses Museum
Come along to a talk at Newarke Houses Museum and discover more about Richard III’s connections with Leicester, both in life and death. Refreshments included. Booking essential. Charge £3.00 per person. To book call 0116 225 4980.
Richard III Family Afternoon
Thursday 22 August 2013
3.00pm – 5.00pm
Leicester Cathedral precincts
A family afternoon, to include entertainment by puppeteer Bill Brookman and medieval recorder players.
Choral Evensong Commemorating Richard III
Thursday 22 August 2013
5.30pm
Leicester Cathedral
A service of commemoration for King Richard III, on the anniversary of his death at Bosworth Battlefield in 1485.
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Richard III Coach Tour
Tuesday 10th September
9.30am – 2.00pm approximately
Meet at St. Margaret’s Bus Station
The Richard III Tour is a coach trip devised and led by Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby. The coach will follow a route close to the one Richard took from Leicester to Bosworth Battlefield.
£13.00
> Find out more information on the Crosby Heritage Website
Flower Festival 'Loyalty Binds Me'
Friday 13th - Monday 16th September
Leicester Cathedral
A feast for the eyes on a theme that borrows the motto of Richard III looking at monarchy, friendship, justice and injustice.
For further information contact claire.recordon@leccofe.org
The Trial of Richard III
Saturday 21st September
7.45pm (Doors open at 7.00 pm)
Jewry Wall Museum
A dramatisation of Richard III held in the dock for his alleged crimes. Witnesses are called and cross-examined by Counsel. The final verdict? You decide. Refreshments available, advanced booking recommended, £4.50 / £3.00
T: 0116 225 4971
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