Starting with the PM programme on BBC Radio 4 the past few days have been reporting the decision that the remains of Richard III are definitely to be buried in Leicester cathedral.
Earlier this year I went to Leicester cathedral to see how the reburial plans will affect the interior of the cathedral. In particular what impact it would have on the 1927-29 work of Sir Charles Nicholson. Above you can see Sir Charles Nicholson's exquisite Rood Screen - this will apparently be moved back to allow space for the royal grave under the tower crossing (it could have been worse - the screen could have been ripped out and junked in the same way many pews in country churches are being trashed).
There is already a memorial slab to Richard III further down the chancel area although surely this cannot be reused? I would like Quinlan Terry given a commission to design an appropriate sarcophagus. The last thing we want is something hideous by Zaha Hadid.
In any case the existing memorial is inaccurate as it shows an imperial "hooped" crown which Richard III would not have worn. Up to Richard III English kings were "one of the boys" and wore unhooped crowns and called Your Grace. Henry VII was the first king to wear a hooped crown and insist on being called Your Majesty (I hope I have remembered this right).
If you like the work of Sir Charles Nicholson his St Katherine's Chapel (above) also at Leicester cathedral is wonderful. You can feel it is a very holy place. Very numinous.
Just being in this chapel made me feel happy - the atmosphere was soothing, calming, health-giving. How clever of Sir Charles Nicholson to have created a therapeutic interior. High Anglicanism is good for your health.
And on the subject of Richard III what is to be done about Eastwell church in Kent where the king's illegitimate son is buried (according to Desiderata Curiosa). It has been in ruins since the being damaged in the Second World War. What is the Department of Culture Media and Sport going to do to restore the building? http://www.kentresources.co.uk/eastwell-sm1.htm
Earlier this year I went to Leicester cathedral to see how the reburial plans will affect the interior of the cathedral. In particular what impact it would have on the 1927-29 work of Sir Charles Nicholson. Above you can see Sir Charles Nicholson's exquisite Rood Screen - this will apparently be moved back to allow space for the royal grave under the tower crossing (it could have been worse - the screen could have been ripped out and junked in the same way many pews in country churches are being trashed).
There is already a memorial slab to Richard III further down the chancel area although surely this cannot be reused? I would like Quinlan Terry given a commission to design an appropriate sarcophagus. The last thing we want is something hideous by Zaha Hadid.
In any case the existing memorial is inaccurate as it shows an imperial "hooped" crown which Richard III would not have worn. Up to Richard III English kings were "one of the boys" and wore unhooped crowns and called Your Grace. Henry VII was the first king to wear a hooped crown and insist on being called Your Majesty (I hope I have remembered this right).
If you like the work of Sir Charles Nicholson his St Katherine's Chapel (above) also at Leicester cathedral is wonderful. You can feel it is a very holy place. Very numinous.
Just being in this chapel made me feel happy - the atmosphere was soothing, calming, health-giving. How clever of Sir Charles Nicholson to have created a therapeutic interior. High Anglicanism is good for your health.
And on the subject of Richard III what is to be done about Eastwell church in Kent where the king's illegitimate son is buried (according to Desiderata Curiosa). It has been in ruins since the being damaged in the Second World War. What is the Department of Culture Media and Sport going to do to restore the building? http://www.kentresources.co.uk/eastwell-sm1.htm
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