Modern design won the day and the Richard III Society have withdrawn their promised funding
Shadowed by legal wrangling, the Cathedral of Leicester is moving forward with their plans for the future re-interment of Richard III. Last week the design for the future tomb was unveiled – a modern tomb made of white fossil limestone from Swaledale in Northern Yorkshire. (Perhaps a slight nod towards the growing enmity between York and Leicester over his bodily remains). It will be placed on an inlaid floor with a rose carved in limestone and surrounded by a band of dark Kilkenny limestone.
The tomb itself is nearly undecorated except from a cross deeply slashed through the cover-stone. The name of the King, the dates of his birth and death (1452-1485) his personal motto, ‘Loyaulte me Lie (Loyalty binds Me)’ and his ‘boar’ badge will be carved into the dark circular band on the floor around the tomb. The area will be defined by wooden screens. The site of the tomb is in what is now the Chancel of the Cathedral, a traditional place of honour. This is equivalent to the position of the King’s original grave in the Grey Friars Priory.
Already – in what is busily turning into a lurid farce – the Richard III Society claims they will no longer contribute to the funding since (as quoted by BBC) Philippa Langley, the instigator of the excavations of the King in the Carpark, said “it was unfit for a medieval warrior king”. It is believed the Society was deeply hurt that their suggestion – a neo-gothic design – had been turned down in the final process; her comment, however, is in opposition to the first comment voiced by Dr. Phil Stone, who is Chair of the Society. According to the press release from the Cathedral of Leicester, he considers the design “utterly inspired”.
So far the Cathedral, which of course has the final say together with the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, has not issued a formal statement concerning the withdrawal of the support of the Richard III society. However to BBC, the Canon Peter Hobson has said that the Cathedral would wish for the support of the Society, but that money was not the issue. There is no formal statement to be found at the website of the Richard III Society (24.09.2013)
The tomb and interior designs were created by the firm of van Heyningen and Haward, Architects. The designs were presented to interested groups earlier in the week, including local MPs and Peers, the Richard III Society and the wider Cathedral community. The cost of the re-interment and the reordering of the Cathedral in connection with it will be around £1.3m. The tomb and vault will cost in the region of £96,000. The Society had promised £40.000.
See a video presentation of the future tomb of Richard III
Read about the design of the future tomb of Queen Margaret II of Denmark