tycho wrote:
I thought the reconstruction of the face was fascinating; though I'm not sure how conclusively accurate such representations are.
It will be interesting to see what happens about the funeral. Richard was a pre-Reformation Catholic but will probably be re-interred in Leicester Cathedral which is Anglican - though I see York Minster has petitioned the Queen to allow burial there. Perhaps a happy compromise would be to copy the burial of the sailor from the Mary Rose - also pre-Reformation. He was interred in a ceremony of great beauty and dignity in the Anglican Portsmouth Cathedral, but with the Catholic rites that would have prevailed in his day.
There is a complication, however. Since Richard has been buried once, he cannot, apparently, have a formal funeral service but a re-interment. I don't know if there is a rite for this or if one will have to be made up. But we Brits are quite good at instant ceremony so I am sure it will be dignified and fitting.
Of course we can never be completely sure that facial reconstructions are accurate, but I think they are as near as it is possible to get at the present time, and the techniques are probably being modified all the time. I think the head of Richard is well done and shows a sensative and thoughtful man, not one of a tyrant or dictator. This fits with what is known of his character. Philippa Langley of the Richard lll Society said, I believe, that it wasn't the face of a murderer – although does a murderer have a certain look? However, I like to think she's right.
As to your other points regarding the reburial, etc., the Bishop of Leicester touched on all these in a video clip recently, so I am sure they will all be taken into consideration. There seems to be something of a battle going on (as to who should get Richard's remains) between Leicester and York – so even now the poor man is not free of conflict! I think Leicester will get their way, although I believe Richard himself wanted to be buried in York.
At the moment we are watching the 'trial by television' of Richard lll, made in 1984 (although I hadn't seen it before). Forgetting the '80's clothes, hair styles, and large glasses, it really is quite rivetting. At around three hours long however, you probably need to take it in sittings which, it being on DVD, you can safely do! I don't know whether it was actually filmed at the Old Bailey, but it was certainly a proper courtroom, with a real judge, prosecuting and defence counsel and a jury. As you would expect, the witnesses were also experts in their field one of whom, although a rather well-known historian, didn't in my opinion, shine. I already know the outcome of the 'trial', but it will be interesting to see how the jury reached their verdict.
The DVD by the way came as a two disc set, the other disc being the film with Laurence Olivier – surely the most villainous Richard lll ever portrayed on film? Unfortunately, it would appear that it is largely this portrayal (aided by Shakespeare) that has coloured the view of many.