Richard lll society's press release 13th February 2013

Morning All

Here is the full text of the Society's press release regarding the
design & siting of Richard's tomb.

Also link to Leicester Cathdedral's website, scroll down for Richard lll
& Richard lll news.

More pics will be available on the Society's website later this morning.

cheers

Jac


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Following confirmation that the human remains of King Richard III are to
be reinterred in Leicester, the Richard III Society today reveals plans
for how it would like his tomb to look.

The tomb design was commissioned by Philippa Langley in September 2010
at the very beginning of the Looking For Richard project. It is based on
Richard's life, and what was important and meaningful to him, and the
design was undertaken by a team of specialists with over 40 years of
research into Richard III. The design, first proposed to the partners in
drawing form in September 2010, and the preliminary CGI images presented
in August 2011, has been welcomed by them.

The Richard III Society is working in partnership with Philippa Langley,
the Originator of the search for King Richard III, together with Sally
Henshaw (secretary) and Richard Smith (chairman) of the East Midlands
Branch, under the leadership of the Society's chairman Dr Phil Stone.


The proposal outlined with all parties includes the following:


The royal tomb will be sited inside the cathedral in a light and
bright area suited to the cathedral's revised design and layout, such
that it will not impact on services nor will pedestrian flow be impeded
through the cathedral and around the tomb itself.


The tomb's structure, already agreed in principle, has been
designed with local input to ensure its appropriateness and historical
accuracy.



The full cost of the rectangular tomb, which is to be 7ft long,
3ft 6in wide and 2ft 3in high and executed in a light honey-coloured
stone (Magnesian Limestone is proposed), will be funded by the Richard
III Society via an appeal for donations (65% of the cost has already
been donated).



The tomb is a gift to the people of Leicester and as a tribute to
them following the earlier gifts by the Society of the Richard III
Statue in Castle Gardens (1980), the memorial stone in the cathedral
(1982), and Richard's standard and banner, proposed to hang above the
tomb (2013).


The objective of the proposed tomb is to honour the king's mortal
remains with a memorial in keeping with the cathedral's interior space
and ambience, while reflecting mediaeval royal tomb designs.


The Society is looking forward to working with the Cathedral and
Leicester City Council to honour the return of the king. It is
understood that the tomb design will be put forward to the Cathedrals
Fabrics Commission for England (CFCE) and Fabrics Advisory Committee
(FAC) for approval.


No date has yet been set for the reburial, which is expected in the
spring of 2014, and will comprise, the Society understands, of two
events: the first, a dignified and respectful reburial service and
entombment, and the following day, an official unveiling of the tomb at
a public service of joyful commemoration.


The Society places on record that it fully and sympathetically
recognises the views of those who would have preferred King Richard III
to be laid to rest elsewhere.


The Richard III Society is proud to be working in partnership with
Leicester Cathedral, Leicester City Council and the University of
Leicester in the next stage of the Looking For Richard project - the
Reburial of King Richard III.


Proposed Tomb for King Richard III


STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01 13 February 2013



Tomb design is constructed of Magnesian Limestone. Its smooth,
bright, honey-coloured appearance enshrines the light and optimism of a
new future for Richard, but also because it is the stone in which York
Minster is built, and is still used to this very day for repairs,
maintenance, and rebuilding. Thus Magnesian Limestone represents
Richard's journey from darkness to light and also his important
connections with Yorkshire and the City of York.

Design incorporates the medieval past and the present day,
acknowledging Richard's life as a fifteenth century nobleman and king,
but without being inappropriate in a twenty first century cathedral.

Design incorporates features representing Richard's family
(White Rose of the House of York), Richard's devotion to the Christian
faith (Cross of St. Cuthbert), and Richard's personal emblem (White
Boar). These personally significant motifs are depicted in medieval
style, decorating the sides and end of the monument, and creating the
impression of a fifteenth century tomb in both feel and appearance.

More modern aspect has been attempted with the upper surface of
the monument. The design presents a smooth open plane of bright
honey-coloured stone, punctuated by a royal coat of arms inlaid in gold
metal at the head, and a gold metal plaque and carved motto at the foot.
In addition the gold metal plaque serves to bridge the gap between the
king and the man by including Richard's full name as well as his title
as duke of Gloucester.

Cost of the proposed design is £28-30K.

Design will take four months to construct.
CGI Images of the Tomb Design Produced by Joseph Fox of Lost in
Castles'

Full details of the team behind the design will be made available
at the Society's Conference in Leicester on Saturday 2nd March when
photographs of the tomb design will be displayed, and the design team
available for interviews.