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.


Monday, 2 December 2024

The latest on the Princes in the Tower


The adage about some stories simply running and running is undoubtedly true about the fate of the Princes in theTower.  For more than five centuries, with varying degrees of intensity, it has been a part of the consciousness of the English speaking world. Over the past century that interest has multiplied resulting in new research and insights, and also in an often heated and passionate debate between the various factions about who was to blame for whatever happened. That debate has become at times in recent years acrimonious and fraught in ways the generate heat but but a little light.

The latest development from the academic side is reported upon in today’s edition of the Daily Telegraph. This apparently shows a link in the form of a gold chain between King Edward V and Sir James Tyrell, the man often claimed to have murdered him and his brother. The research is being published and tomorrow night, Tuesday December 3rd, on Channel 5 at 9pm there is a documentary about the research. This does appear to be another instance of evidence hiding in plain sight amongst the documentary evidence. It may help to convince or reinforce the views of those who think that Tyrrell did indeed murder the two boys. It will also no doubt be explain very differently by those who are determined at every point to acquit King Richard III of any part in the death of his nephews. We should perhaps be prepared for some lively exchanges.



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