Focusing on the reign and reputation of Richard III and his links in the North
Gallery
Windows for the King, inspired by local saints and those chosen by Richard III for his collegiate foundation in Barnard Castle, was unveiled on 6th Nov 2024. At a cost of £40,000, it is a legacy from the NDRIIIG to the town’s residents and visitors that commemorates Richard’s close connection with this place
One of our earliest outings was in spring 2016 to Markenfield Hall near Ripon. Open just a few days a year, this C14th manor was home to Sir Thomas Markenfield, a Knight of the Body of Richard, who fought at Bosworth
At our medieval banquet in summer 2015, several members took the opportunity to adopt late medieval dress
Former NDRIIIG treasurer Bob Whitehouse inspired the group to fund these “Ricardian boar” Christmas lights: the boar now takes pride of place for several weeks each winter, shining over St Mary’s church and the possible location of Collegiate buildings for Richard’s College in the town
In 2021 town resident Roger Peat and local artist Cedric Charleuf worked with the NDRIIIG to design and create the “Star Yard Boar” painting which can be found in an alleyway behind the Market Place in Barnard Castle
In late May 2024 Barnard Castle’s castle saw the first mounted and harnessed knights within its walls for several centuries, as Historic Equitation rode in through the main (modern) gate
For the Medieval Meet Parade in May 2024, the NDRIIIG worked with local schoolchildren to design and paint their own family banner
Barnard Castle Medieval Meet Parade May 2024:Members of the NDRIIIG wore costumes and carried banners representing some of the many local families and nobility who supported Richard during his governorship in the north
Dominic Sewell as Richard III rode in Barnard Castle’s Meet Parade, past St Mary’s church; Barnard Castle Medieval Meet Parade, May 2024
York City Levy paraded through Barnard Castle for the town’s celebration anniversary of Richard’s lordship in late May 2024
0ver 40 children with parents and teachers from Green Lane CE Primary joined the medieval parade in late May 2024 with murrey & blue costumes, and medieval banners they had made with members of the NDRIIIG
Members of the York City Levy and the NDRIIIG walked in the town parade to celebrate 550 years of Richard’s lordship in Barnard Castle in late May 2024
Four riders from Historic Equitation, funded by the NDRIIIG, formed the head of the town’s parade on Bank Holiday Monday in May 2024
Barnard Castle alumnus Dominic Sewell from ‘Historic Equitation’ was on hand at the town’s Medieval Meet Weekend in late May 2024, after riding in the town parade
York City Levy, encamped at Barnard Castle in late May 2024, instructed young visitors in ‘bill drill’ as part of a Richard III-themed weekend celebrating 550 years of Richard’s lordship of the town
The NDRIIIG funded and arranged for the York City Levy to encamp in the castle at Barnard Castle for Late May Bank Holiday 2024: hundreds of visitors enjoyed the living history and activities provided
In June 2024 the NDRIIIG donated a copy of Philippa Langley’s ‘The Princes in the Tower: Solving History’s Greatest Cold Case’ to Barnard Castle Library
Local re-enactment group Rosa Mundi demonstrated ‘How a man schall be armyd at his ese when he schal fighte on foote’ at our 2024 Study Day
Philippa Langley MBE was our keynote speaker for our 2024 Study Day and we were delighted to present her with a small etched glass boar as a token of thanks for her work for Richard and his cause
Our NDRIIIG meetings are generally held in St Mary’s Parish Hall, Newgate in Barnard Castle. Our membership officer, Bridget, is on hand to welcome members and visitors and we have badges for everyone!
Our spring outing in 2023 was to Nostell Priory, Sandal Castle and lastly, the Chantry Chapel on Wakefield Bridge, pictured here
Barnard Castle’s theatre company The Castle Players produced ‘Dickon’ by Ricardian author Josephine Tey, staged in St Mary’s parish church over four performances in November 2024
Our spring outing in 2024 was to Rievaulx Abbey and Helmsley Castle
In autumn 2023 one of our members Lynda M formed a small group to perform a Mummers Play she had written with a Ricardian twist. The play was performed, with music, at our November meeting and also as a prelude to a fundraising ceilidh in Jan 2024
The ‘Lord of the North’ musical about Richard III, written by Annette Lowson and Kim Harding, premiered in Green Lane CE Primary School, with 41 children taking part
We all raised a glass to Richard at our Christmas meal
Each December members are invited to a Christmas social at a local restaurant
Rachel Phillips, glass artist from West Wales, won our competition to design Windows for the King: this is her final draft design
In 2024 our August trip was to nearby Raby Castle where Richard’s mother Cecily was born: 36 people came along!
The NDRIIIG Standing Committee with Dr Hills and Rachel Phillips at the unveiling of Windows for the King, 6th Nov 2024
Windows for the King, commemorating Richard’s Collegiate Church at St Mary’s Barnard Castle, was unveiled on 6th Nov 2024 by Dr Fiona Hill. Pictured are members of the NDRIIIG and St Mary’s Partnership Group, Dr Hills, the churchwardens and town mayor, and Rachel Phillips, designer and creator of the windows
The NDRIIIG are regular visitors to the Richard III Festival at Middleham in early July each year, offering information and Richard III-related items
At Study Days and on the anniversary of Bosworth (22nd August) the NDRIIIG provides a display of white roses at St Mary’s Barnard Castle
Pupils of Year 5 from Green Lane CE Primary School, performing ‘Lord of the North’, 6th July 2022
Pupils of Green Lane CE Primary School, performing ‘Loyalty Binds Me’ from ‘Lord of the North’, a musical about Richard III; 6th July 2022
To celebrate the ‘Lord of the North’ musical, Time Will Tell’s Richard III was invited to visit Green Lane CE Primary School’s Year 5 class who would be performing the musical later that day
In July 2015 the NDRIIIG held a medieval banquet at St Mary’s parish church, where Time Will Tell theatre’s Richard and Anne were hosts and knighted member Allan Jones for his good services to the king
Included in our NDRIIIG merchandise are totebags with our logo, inspired by Barnard Castle’s official coat of arms
The NDRIIIG was founded in November 2013 by Beverley Holland and Kim Harding with just a dozen interested folk from Barnard Castle. Our membership now stands at 70+ with members right across the north of England and even in the USA
These banners were painted by local schoolchildren and represent the arms of local nobility affiliated to Richard III: Sir William Conyers of Hornby Castle (N. Yorks) and Sir Henry Fitzhugh of Ravensworth and Cotherstone. With others, they are on display at our biennial Study Days and other special events
Acknowledgements: photos used with kind permission of –
Charlie Winter – Images 6-16 Other images by Charlie of the Meet Weekend 2024 can be found here – https://thecostog.com/richard-iii-group Teesdale Mercury – Images 3, 18, 24, 25 Durham Diocese – Images 30 and 31 Rachel Phillips – Image 28
