Leicester Dig

Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947

Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....


https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb

Hope the link works.....Eileen



--- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@...> wrote:
>
> Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
>

Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
Regards, Annette


----- Original Message -----
From: EileenB
To:
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig




Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb

Hope the link works.....Eileen

--- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@...> wrote:
>
> Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
>

Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
Marie




--- In , "Annette Carson" <email@...> wrote:
>
> Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> Regards, Annette
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: EileenB
> To:
> Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
>
>
>
>
> Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
>
> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
>
> Hope the link works.....Eileen
>
> --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> >
> > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
Eileen
--- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> Marie
>
>
>
>
> --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To:
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> >
> > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> >
> > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> >
> > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on the archaeology.

John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!

Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.

With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.

You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.

When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
Regards, Annette


----- Original Message -----
From: EileenB
To:
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig



Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
Eileen
--- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> Marie
>
>
>
>
> --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To:
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> >
> > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> >
> > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> >
> > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Thank you Annette, it is good to know that you and John are involved. It's very comforting to know when I am sitting at home on pins. Philippa has been fantastic and we all owe the three of you such a lot.

I'm sure that everyone understands that you can only say so much about the dig.

Just carry on the good work.

Regards
Mary

--- In , "Annette Carson" <email@...> wrote:
>
> If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on the archaeology.
>
> John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!
>
> Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.
>
> With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.
>
> You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.
>
> When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
> Regards, Annette
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: EileenB
> To:
> Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
> Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
>
>
>
> Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
> Eileen
> --- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> > Marie
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > > Regards, Annette
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: EileenB
> > > To:
> > > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> > >
> > > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> > >
> > > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> > >
> > > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Can I second what Mary has just posted. Its wonderful what has been achieved so far...
and another big thank you to all who have contributed and worked very hard...

Understanding what you said about not being able to say too much Annette...Just a little worried that the old school isnt covering too much as you said the facade is close to where the altar was...which would have been close to where the choir was...where probably a king would be buried...

Keeping fingers very very crossed....Eileen

--- In , "ricard1an" <maryfriend@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you Annette, it is good to know that you and John are involved. It's very comforting to know when I am sitting at home on pins. Philippa has been fantastic and we all owe the three of you such a lot.
>
> I'm sure that everyone understands that you can only say so much about the dig.
>
> Just carry on the good work.
>
> Regards
> Mary
>
> --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on the archaeology.
> >
> > John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!
> >
> > Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.
> >
> > With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.
> >
> > You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.
> >
> > When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To:
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> > Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
> > Eileen
> > --- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> > > Marie
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > > > Regards, Annette
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: EileenB
> > > > To:
> > > > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> > > >
> > > > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> > > >
> > > > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> > > >
> > > > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Me too.  I suppose I just feel that it would be too good to be true if they could find Richard, but I do so hope they can!



________________________________
From: EileenB <cherryripe.eileenb@...>
To:
Sent: Saturday, 8 September 2012, 21:43
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig


 
Can I second what Mary has just posted. Its wonderful what has been achieved so far...
and another big thank you to all who have contributed and worked very hard...

Understanding what you said about not being able to say too much Annette...Just a little worried that the old school isnt covering too much as you said the facade is close to where the altar was...which would have been close to where the choir was...where probably a king would be buried...

Keeping fingers very very crossed....Eileen

--- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, "ricard1an" <maryfriend@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you Annette, it is good to know that you and John are involved. It's very comforting to know when I am sitting at home on pins. Philippa has been fantastic and we all owe the three of you such a lot.
>
> I'm sure that everyone understands that you can only say so much about the dig.
>
> Just carry on the good work.
>
> Regards
> Mary
>
> --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised
reports on the archaeology.
> >
> > John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!
> >
> > Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.
> >
> > With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had
been found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.
> >
> > You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.
> >
> > When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To: mailto:%40yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> > Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
> > Eileen
> > --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> > > Marie
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > > > Regards, Annette
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: EileenB
> > > > To: mailto:%40yahoogroups.com
> > > > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> > > >
> > > > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> > > >
> > > > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> > > >
> > > > --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

My thanks too!
Vickie

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 8, 2012, at 3:48 PM, liz williams <ferrymansdaughter@...> wrote:

> Me too. I suppose I just feel that it would be too good to be true if they could find Richard, but I do so hope they can!
>
> ________________________________
> From: EileenB <cherryripe.eileenb@...>
> To:
> Sent: Saturday, 8 September 2012, 21:43
> Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
>
>
> Can I second what Mary has just posted. Its wonderful what has been achieved so far...
> and another big thank you to all who have contributed and worked very hard...
>
> Understanding what you said about not being able to say too much Annette...Just a little worried that the old school isnt covering too much as you said the facade is close to where the altar was...which would have been close to where the choir was...where probably a king would be buried...
>
> Keeping fingers very very crossed....Eileen
>
> --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, "ricard1an" <maryfriend@...> wrote:
> >
> > Thank you Annette, it is good to know that you and John are involved. It's very comforting to know when I am sitting at home on pins. Philippa has been fantastic and we all owe the three of you such a lot.
> >
> > I'm sure that everyone understands that you can only say so much about the dig.
> >
> > Just carry on the good work.
> >
> > Regards
> > Mary
> >
> > --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> > >
> > > If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised
> reports on the archaeology.
> > >
> > > John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!
> > >
> > > Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.
> > >
> > > With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had
> been found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.
> > >
> > > You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.
> > >
> > > When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
> > > Regards, Annette
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: EileenB
> > > To: mailto:%40yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
> > > Eileen
> > > --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> > > > Marie
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > > > > Regards, Annette
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: EileenB
> > > > > To: mailto:%40yahoogroups.com
> > > > > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> > > > >
> > > > > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> > > > >
> > > > > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In mailto:%40yahoogroups.com, "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > > > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>

Thank you very much for this helpful and informative update, Annette. I
would have loved to visit Leicester this weekend to view the dig, but we
had a friend visiting.
Am re-reading The Maligned King and finding it fascinating.
All best
Jessica

--- In , "Annette Carson"
<email@...> wrote:
>
> If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige.
I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a
spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as
well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present
on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in
Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the
archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have
been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his
reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when
needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project
has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking.
Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't
deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the
main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on the
archaeology.
>
> John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer
than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's
DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see
"Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion
demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted
to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has
been in safe hands!
>
> Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running
roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once
cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains
of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to
domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre,
which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that
revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where
we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces
of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most
northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last
tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the
other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this
fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to
the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.
>
> With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we
then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern
part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck
really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the
parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now
disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench,
with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically
longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of
the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies
under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of
tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated
despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation
at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to
determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been found (it is marked on
old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been
crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.
>
> You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to
be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved
(principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control
of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add,
as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists
of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own
investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to
consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they
have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to
result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the
impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out
ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but
that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to
treat the subject - and that matters a lot.
>
> When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media
release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another
couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly
upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the
relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may
contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very
gratifying.
> Regards, Annette

Thanks so much for that, Jessica, and to all others for their kind words. I've let Philippa know that several forum members have posted messages of enthusiasm for the project, which she greatly appreciates as she is really quite isolated up there in Leicester. She tells me there were 2,000 to 3,000 visitors on Saturday, and she was kept busy all day not only pointing out the archaeology but also making sure the right messages about Richard were put across. These numbers are quite consistent with the interest we've been encountering on the street since the start - every single person we met had heard about the search for King Richard!

In my previous post I forgot to mention the lovely glazed floor tiles found in the church area, but these have been nicely pictured in media reports so you didn't need me to tell you.

I understand the media release I mentioned is due out at lunchtime on Wednesday. Here is the link to the university again: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/media-centre/richard-iii
Regards, Annette


----- Original Message -----
From: casildis
To:
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2012 7:01 PM
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig



Thank you very much for this helpful and informative update, Annette. I
would have loved to visit Leicester this weekend to view the dig, but we
had a friend visiting.
Am re-reading The Maligned King and finding it fascinating.
All best
Jessica

--- In , "Annette Carson"
<email@...> wrote:
>
> If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige.
I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a
spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as
well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present
on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in
Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the
archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have
been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his
reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when
needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project
has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking.
Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't
deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the
main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on the
archaeology.
>
> John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer
than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's
DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see
"Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion
demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted
to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has
been in safe hands!
>
> Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running
roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once
cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains
of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to
domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre,
which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that
revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where
we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces
of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most
northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last
tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the
other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this
fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to
the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.
>
> With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we
then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern
part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck
really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the
parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now
disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench,
with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically
longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of
the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies
under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of
tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated
despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation
at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to
determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been found (it is marked on
old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been
crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.
>
> You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to
be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved
(principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control
of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add,
as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists
of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own
investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to
consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they
have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to
result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the
impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out
ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but
that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to
treat the subject - and that matters a lot.
>
> When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media
release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another
couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly
upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the
relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may
contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very
gratifying.
> Regards, Annette

Hi Annette,

This is George using Judy's email account. She wanted to let you know that she was re-admitted to hospital last night.

Don't worry-- she will be fine.

Best,
George
 
Loyaulte me lie


________________________________
From: Annette Carson <email@...>
To:
Sent: Saturday, September 8, 2012 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig


 
If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on
the archaeology.

John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!

Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.

With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been
found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.

You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.

When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
Regards, Annette

----- Original Message -----
From: EileenB
To:
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig

Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
Eileen
--- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> Marie
>
>
>
>
> --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To:
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> >
> > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> >
> > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> >
> > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Thanks very much, George, I will reply using Judy's email.

----- Original Message -----
From: Judy Thomson
To:
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 7:03 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig



Hi Annette,

This is George using Judy's email account. She wanted to let you know that she was re-admitted to hospital last night.

Don't worry-- she will be fine.

Best,
George

Loyaulte me lie

________________________________
From: Annette Carson <email@...>
To:
Sent: Saturday, September 8, 2012 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig



If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on
the archaeology.

John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!

Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.

With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been
found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.

You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.

When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
Regards, Annette

----- Original Message -----
From: EileenB
To:
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig

Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
Eileen
--- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> Marie
>
>
>
>
> --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To:
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> >
> > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> >
> > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> >
> > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Anyone who can help - I now have a plan of the Leicester excavations which I'd love to post in the forum's photo collection but haven't done this before and don't have time to figure out how. Anyone willing to post it for me, please contact me directly. Joan? Florence? Anyone?
Thanks, Annette


----- Original Message -----
From: Judy Thomson
To:
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 7:03 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig



Hi Annette,

This is George using Judy's email account. She wanted to let you know that she was re-admitted to hospital last night.

Don't worry-- she will be fine.

Best,
George

Loyaulte me lie

________________________________
From: Annette Carson <email@...>
To:
Sent: Saturday, September 8, 2012 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig



If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on
the archaeology.

John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!

Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.

With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been
found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.

You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.

When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
Regards, Annette

----- Original Message -----
From: EileenB
To:
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig

Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
Eileen
--- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> Marie
>
>
>
>
> --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To:
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> >
> > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> >
> > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> >
> > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

I have posted several photos before and will try this one.

----- Original Message -----
From: Annette Carson
To:
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 8:44 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig



Anyone who can help - I now have a plan of the Leicester excavations which I'd love to post in the forum's photo collection but haven't done this before and don't have time to figure out how. Anyone willing to post it for me, please contact me directly. Joan? Florence? Anyone?
Thanks, Annette

----- Original Message -----
From: Judy Thomson
To:
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 7:03 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig

Hi Annette,

This is George using Judy's email account. She wanted to let you know that she was re-admitted to hospital last night.

Don't worry-- she will be fine.

Best,
George

Loyaulte me lie

________________________________
From: Annette Carson <email@...>
To:
Sent: Saturday, September 8, 2012 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig

If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on
the archaeology.

John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!

Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.

With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been
found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.

You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.

When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
Regards, Annette

----- Original Message -----
From: EileenB
To:
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig

Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
Eileen
--- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> Marie
>
>
>
>
> --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To:
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> >
> > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> >
> > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> >
> > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Excellent, Stephen, I've emailed it to you.
By the way, may I please ask that the image be kept strictly within the forum, as I haven't cleared whether it's copyright.
Thanks, Annette


----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen Lark
To:
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 8:53 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig



I have posted several photos before and will try this one.

----- Original Message -----
From: Annette Carson
To:
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 8:44 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig

Anyone who can help - I now have a plan of the Leicester excavations which I'd love to post in the forum's photo collection but haven't done this before and don't have time to figure out how. Anyone willing to post it for me, please contact me directly. Joan? Florence? Anyone?
Thanks, Annette

----- Original Message -----
From: Judy Thomson
To:
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 7:03 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig

Hi Annette,

This is George using Judy's email account. She wanted to let you know that she was re-admitted to hospital last night.

Don't worry-- she will be fine.

Best,
George

Loyaulte me lie

________________________________
From: Annette Carson <email@...>
To:
Sent: Saturday, September 8, 2012 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig

If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on
the archaeology.

John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!

Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.

With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been
found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.

You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.

When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
Regards, Annette

----- Original Message -----
From: EileenB
To:
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: Leicester Dig

Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
Eileen
--- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> Marie
>
>
>
>
> --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> >
> > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > Regards, Annette
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: EileenB
> > To:
> > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> >
> > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> >
> > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> >
> > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Do pass on my best wishes. Hope all is well.

Karen

From: Judy Thomson <judygerard.thomson@...>
Reply-To: <>
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:03:29 -0700 (PDT)
To: ""
<>
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig






Hi Annette,

This is George using Judy's email account. She wanted to let you know that
she was re-admitted to hospital last night.

Don't worry-- she will be fine.

Best,
George

Loyaulte me lie

Thank you very much, Ms. Carson and Mr. Lark.

I can't tell you guys just how very, very exciting this has been to watch. I have such immense respect for the folks on the board, who take time out from busy, productive lives to give a hoot about a vast historical wrong now half a millennium old. And now to watch this staggeringly successful dig unfold in real time, with a representative of the brush-and-palette-knife crew patting the dust from her britches to give us an update... well, this makes up for all the times I've been introduced as "My friend, the Richard III nerd," that's all. The story of Richard III, whose loss to the world was as dire as the subsequent trashing of his reputation, unrolls in the slow sweep of centuries, and to be here now, as this amazing event occurs, is more than I could have hoped for over two decades ago, when I flipped through a second-hand copy of an odd little mystery novel by someone I'd never heard of and thought it was interesting enough to spend five bucks on and take home.

Many, many thanks to all the doers and planners and sweepers and writers and DNA techs who have made this possible, and bless all of you for paying attention in school and not forgetting it all when you got out. As the band makes it rock and the roadies make it roll, so the audience brings the dazzled delight. I'm so very fortunate to be part of the audience.

What a smashing message....thank YOU!

I bet the 'odd little mystery novel' was The Daugher of Time..(truth is the daughter of time)....by Josephine Tey...which triggered off your passion for Richard lll....me too...
Eileen
--- In , "mcjohn_wt_net" <mcjohn@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you very much, Ms. Carson and Mr. Lark.
>
> I can't tell you guys just how very, very exciting this has been to watch. I have such immense respect for the folks on the board, who take time out from busy, productive lives to give a hoot about a vast historical wrong now half a millennium old. And now to watch this staggeringly successful dig unfold in real time, with a representative of the brush-and-palette-knife crew patting the dust from her britches to give us an update... well, this makes up for all the times I've been introduced as "My friend, the Richard III nerd," that's all. The story of Richard III, whose loss to the world was as dire as the subsequent trashing of his reputation, unrolls in the slow sweep of centuries, and to be here now, as this amazing event occurs, is more than I could have hoped for over two decades ago, when I flipped through a second-hand copy of an odd little mystery novel by someone I'd never heard of and thought it was interesting enough to spend five bucks on and take home.
>
> Many, many thanks to all the doers and planners and sweepers and writers and DNA techs who have made this possible, and bless all of you for paying attention in school and not forgetting it all when you got out. As the band makes it rock and the roadies make it roll, so the audience brings the dazzled delight. I'm so very fortunate to be part of the audience.
>

Thank you Stephen and Annette for the photo....

They are so near to the altar...surely an area where they would have buried a king or very close by.....Eileen


--- In , "Annette Carson" <email@...> wrote:
>
> Excellent, Stephen, I've emailed it to you.
> By the way, may I please ask that the image be kept strictly within the forum, as I haven't cleared whether it's copyright.
> Thanks, Annette
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Stephen Lark
> To:
> Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 8:53 PM
> Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig
>
>
>
> I have posted several photos before and will try this one.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Annette Carson
> To:
> Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 8:44 PM
> Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig
>
> Anyone who can help - I now have a plan of the Leicester excavations which I'd love to post in the forum's photo collection but haven't done this before and don't have time to figure out how. Anyone willing to post it for me, please contact me directly. Joan? Florence? Anyone?
> Thanks, Annette
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Judy Thomson
> To:
> Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 7:03 PM
> Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig
>
> Hi Annette,
>
> This is George using Judy's email account. She wanted to let you know that she was re-admitted to hospital last night.
>
> Don't worry-- she will be fine.
>
> Best,
> George
>
> Loyaulte me lie
>
> ________________________________
> From: Annette Carson <email@...>
> To:
> Sent: Saturday, September 8, 2012 1:07 PM
> Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig
>
> If you would like some impressions of the dig, I am happy to oblige. I'd just like to start by saying that everything has been done in a spirit of reverence for the religious house that we are uncovering, as well as for those who are buried there. Philippa has been present on-site every single day, she has taken up residence in accommodation in Leicester and is consulted on every decision, whether by the archaeologists, the university, the council or the film crew. I have been involved for the past 12 months, partly on Richard and his reputation, and partly as a wordsmith to assist with communications when needed, so that every written and spoken word emanating from the project has held to a constant theme of respect for the king we are seeking. Fortunately the leader of the archaeology team, Richard Bucklay, hasn't deviated from this approach, bless him - which is important as he is the main representative doing regular recorded and televised reports on
> the archaeology.
>
> John Ashdown-Hill has been collaborating with Philippa much longer than I have, since it is his research on the Greyfriars and on Richard's DNA that encouraged her to embark on the quest in the first place (see "Last Days of Richard III"). He too has been in Leicester when occasion demanded, and we have all three done interviews for any media who wanted to know about Richard - so you can be assured that his reputation has been in safe hands!
>
> Today's visitors will have seen three open trenches, two running roughly north-south, extending on the south through what were once cloisters. The western trench shows cloister walls and the clear remains of a doorway visible at the south-west corner, perhaps leading to domestic buildings. The most revealing trench is the one in the centre, which extends a lot farther northwards. This was the trench that revealed what we took to be the church of the Greyfriars, exactly where we'd hoped it would be, laid out west-east as you'd expect, with traces of other priory buildings as the trench continued south. The most northerly perimeter of the church lined up very closely with the last tiny bit of mediaeval wall which is visible in another car park on the other (west) side of a small intersecting road. We had taken this fragment to be either the north wall of the nave, or the wall next to the adjacent road - we now think it's probably the latter.
>
> With the church lying at right-angles to our existing trenches, we then found that we needed a third trench to expose the farthest eastern part which leads from the choir up to the altar. Fortunately (luck really has been on our side) we got permission to dig this trench in the parking area of an old school on the far side of an adjacent wall, now disused and up for development. This has been a sort of T-shaped trench, with the longest bit north-south (because the parking area is basically longer than it is wide), with the top of the 'T' following the line of the church to the altar at the east, which we estimate probably lies under the facade of the old school. It is here that the pieces of tracery were found, their carving amazingly sharp and well delineated despite the intervening centuries. No glass, alas. It was the excavation at the southern end of this third trench that led the archaeologists to determine that Alderman Herrick's garden had been
> found (it is marked on old maps, as you probably know). So the stem of the 'T' has now been crossed at the southern end by spur trenches to either side.
>
> You will gather from the little I've written that I'm afraid I have to be economical with what I say. There are various entities involved (principally the University of Leicester and Channel 4) who have control of what is being reported - which is a good thing, may I hasten to add, as we don't want all and sundry passing around information that consists of guesswork and surmise. Channel 4 not only need to guard their own investment, but Philippa and her production company also want to consolidate the deal they've negotiated with the channel, because they have put in place all the options and protections that are intended to result in the right kind of documentary. Obviously it would deaden the impact of a TV special if all the proposed content had been blurted out ahead of time! Yes, there could be other broadcasters interested, but that would be Plan B, and one doesn't know how they would propose to treat the subject - and that matters a lot.
>
> When I left yesterday, the university was preparing another media release to sum up everything, but I don't think it's due out for another couple of days so please stand by for that one. Everyone is incredibly upbeat about the success of the project - and because such a lot of the relevant land belongs to the council, I suspect that they may contemplate a permanent exhibit or small museum, which would be very gratifying.
> Regards, Annette
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: EileenB
> To:
> Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 9:19 PM
> Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
>
> Yes...a million thanks to everyone involved in this...from Philippa and her colleagues to the people that contributed so generously.....Hoping so much they can find Richard so he can be laid to rest somewhere more suitable and a place we can all visit...
> Eileen
> --- In , mariewalsh2003 <no_reply@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Oh, hooray! Finding and identifiying human remains is still a long shot, of course, but it is amazing to see bits of what was clearly a church - THE church. Please congratulate Philippa. Her faith and tenacity have been amazing.
> > Marie
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In , "Annette Carson" <email@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Just back from Leicester this afternoon, and I think the major breakthrough is the discovery of the church - samples of tracery in these photographs are probably from the church windows. They are having open days for the public this weekend, so archaeology will be held up for a day or two, but the good news is that the dig has been extended - at least one further week is now scheduled.
> > > Regards, Annette
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: EileenB
> > > To:
> > > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 5:30 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Leicester Dig
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hooray....they think they have found Herricks Garden.....
> > >
> > > https://www.dropbox.com/sh/szg2mzbcfzgedpm/1BUzdMMTeb
> > >
> > > Hope the link works.....Eileen
> > >
> > > --- In , "Dorothea" <dorotheapreis@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Is anyone here going to the open day of the Leicester dig on Saturday. I would love an eye witness report for our branch website (New South Wales Branch).
> > > > http://www.richardiii-nsw.org.au/?p=7947
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

All the best to Judy



________________________________
From: Karen Clark <Ragged_staff@...>
To:
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 8:09:21 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig


 
Do pass on my best wishes. Hope all is well.

Karen

From: Judy Thomson <judygerard.thomson@...>
Reply-To: <>
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:03:29 -0700 (PDT)
To: ""
<>
Subject: Re: Re: Leicester Dig

Hi Annette,

This is George using Judy's email account. She wanted to let you know that
she was re-admitted to hospital last night.

Don't worry-- she will be fine.

Best,
George

Loyaulte me lie