Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Friday, 20 September 2013

The proposed tomb for King Richard III


The authorities at Leicester cathedral have now made public their plans for a tomb for the bones of King Richard III. That is, of course, assuming that his remains stay in Leicester and are not buried elsewhere as some want, and claim that he would have wanted, as I commented on the other day. The cathedral's proposals can be seen here.

The design is quite striking, and I suppose quite modern. It is perhaps not especially in the style that the King himself or his contemporaries might have expected. No doubt this story is going to run and run - should King Richard be buried in Leicester or elsewhere, what about the tomb design, never mind the liturgy when he is reburied....



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