This time next week will be the eve of the
reinterment of King Richard III in Leicester Cathedral. If anyone is surprised by
this news then where have you been for the last year?
My plan is to post up a short blog each day
for the next ten days with information about events, my contribution
and a few snippets about Richard himself.
Richard III - Post 1 of 10:
Today I made my final school visit before
the reinterment. I have visited so many schools to talk about my book, The Children's Book of Richard III, that I’ve
lost track of which school was which. I only know that every school had a
different feel to it. The children had a different way of behaving, of
listening, of asking questions. Some of the questions were excellent. Others
were not so. One of today’s questions was,
“What happened to Richard III’s crown after
Henry VII had finished with it?”
“Good question,” I replied. “I don’t
know the answer!” (Must do some swatting up!)
 |
| A section of Alice Povey's brilliant illustration from my book depicting the Battle of Bosworth |
Yesterday’s school invited me in because 20
of the children had been chosen to take part in Sunday’s cortege when Richard’s
body is received into the Cathedral. They were all understandably excited and I
had to hide my jealousy (jealousy is not an admirable emotion). Some schools have invited me to talk about
what it’s like to be an author. Most of the schools have been happy with my
regular talk entitled, “How on earth did a King get to be under a car park?” …but
more of that tomorrow.
What a great title for a talk - how could anyone resist it. And I hope you sold lots of books as well. I can't believe it's so close to the reinterment - it seems like only a few months ago that his body was found.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to all the rest of your posts.
Ann
Thanks, Ann. The talk has been received very well and the books are selling well too.
DeleteYou're in for an exhausting week - but how wonderful, after all the work you've put in. (And do keep a record of all those lovely questions children ask - there's almost always one that comes up with something you've not thought of!)
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be busy and a totally unique experience too so I'm trying to keep a record of all of it!
DeleteHi Ros .. that's great you're doing 10 posts .. looking forward to them. Fascinating to hear the questions .. presumably the Crown hung around for a while - unless it was melted down by Cromwell ...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy - you deserve the rewards of being involved ... and accolades following ... happy times - cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary, I wonder if the crown lasted until Cromwell's time. I suspect Henry VIII had a bigger and better one made. I will do some investigating.
DeleteThe world`s media is coming to Leicester. I am sure,Rosalind,that the sales of your book will soar.and soar. I have a friend who lives near to the river Soar where the procession route of the cortege will pass. She tells we that there has been frenzied activity in the last week or so to make the area look "sparkling" to the world. For example, bridges lamp posts and bus stops painted afresh, grass cut neatly round daffodils,new fences to hide waste land,graffiti removed,new shrubs and flowers. Even the white and yellow road markings have been repainted!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the story that people tell of the Queen thinking that public toilets always smell of fresh paint.
Deletethis is just SO exciting. I look forward to your blog posts. And kids will keep you on your toes! Their questions could yield another book....
ReplyDeleteTheir questions are priceless, like the little boy who asked, "What did they think when they didn't see Richard?" I looked at the teachers for help but they didn't get it either!
Delete