A sordid song and dance over Richard III’s bones
Heritage is big business, where Richard’s bones are buried matters very much and that’s before you even begin to think through the massive public interest the man and his deeds still arouse over 500 years on. Anyway the article, which is great fun and which helps make the point about the importance of history, economy, identity and towns tells us:
When the e-petition to the Government, asking for Richard III to be buried in York Minster, closed at 12.03 yesterday, it had 31,239 signatures. The rival petition to have his tomb built in Leicester cathedral had by then gained 25,346, but it remains open until October 12. So the battle could be won by a surge of supporters like that of the Stanleys at the battle of Bosworth – except that they plumped for Henry VII’s side and poor Richard ended up under a car park.
Not that the authorities will take any notice of the petitions. Indeed, there is no pleasing anyone in this new War of the White Rose. The petitioners – who easily outnumber the original armies at Bosworth – could perhaps fight it out. Meet at the Dog and Hedgehog, Dadlington. Bring sensible footwear, a packed lunch and spare round-shot. There are several suitable fields on either side of Fenn Lanes.
Ever since old Crook Back was found under the asphalt last September by archaeologists, it has been a war of every man against every man. If it isn’t slugged out in the marshy fields of Leicestershire, it’ll be in the High Court, which has given permission for the question to go to judicial review.