New guide outlines Richard III's northern connections

A GROUP dedicated to the life, reign and reputation of Richard III has published a guide book highlighting places of interest across the north with connections to the monarch.

Richard III’s North – People and Places Around the Northern Dales features 60 locations from Carlisle in the west to Scarborough in the east, as far north as Hexham and south to Skipton.

It includes a dozen points of interest within 15 miles of Barnard Castle.

The book has been compiled by members of the Barnard Castle-based Northern Dales Richard III (NDRIII) group and edited by chairwoman Kim Harding.

“It’s a book of all of the many places in the north of England that were under Richard III’s lordship or were connected to his loyal supporters,” she said.

“Whether residents or visitors, it helps people connect to the medieval period.”

Publication of the guidebook is the realisation of an ambition from the formation of the NDRIII group 2012 by Ms Harding and the late Beverley Holland, who were keen to promote the king’s connection to Barnard Castle and the north of England.

Ms Harding said it had taken two years “on and off” to put the book together.

All the information contained in the book has been contributed by members of the group.

“It will be invaluable for not just people familiar with 15th century history but for any visitor to the area. You will find out a lot about Richard III from the guidebook,” said Ms Harding.

She said the book would also help highlight the importance of Barnard Castle in Richard’s life.

“Barnard Castle tends to be neglected by Ricardians who don’t realise it was very important to Richard.

“It is gaining knowledge more widely that this is an important place to come to. There is more evidence that Richard III was here more than any other place in England.

“We have got all these stone boars in Barnard Castle – five of them – and his boar is on the town's coat of arms.”

The NDRIII Group was founded just after the discovery of Richard III’s lost remains under a car park in Leicester.

Four years later, Ms Harding said there was still great interest in both Richard and the group’s work.

Earlier this year, the NDRIII group’s annual study day brought almost 90 people from across the country to Barnard Castle, and plans are already being finalised for next year’s event.

The next meeting of the NDRIII group takes place on Wednesday, November 15 at 7pm in St Mary’s Parish Hall, Newgate, Barnard Castle.

The guest speaker will be Peter Bull on medieval music making. Anyone interested is welcome and admission is £2.

The book, published by Mosaic Print and Design, is available for £6 plus postage. For details go to www.ndriii. org.uk and click the link for Richard’s North.