Richard III

Edgar the Atheling asked for military support from Malcolm Canmore, king of Scotland, to enforce his claim.What Malcolm wanted in return was Edgar's sister Margaret, who he had fallen for in a big way. Margaret wanted to be a nun, but had to do as she was told. She married Malcolm and had a huge influence on Scottish culture and religion and was later made a saint.

Apparently Malcolm was under her thumb because he was so crazy about her and let her choose all their childrens' names and she chose names that the Scottish royals had never used before, like Edgar (Saxon) and Alexander, which was still a popular name in Scotland in the 20th century.

Of course, Edgar never did get his throne and spent the rest of his life wandering about Europe (a very long fifty years I believe) occasionally tagging along on other rulers' wars. It was a perennial problem for pretenders - what do you do with the rest of your life?

I didn't realize he had outlived all the other contenders. It just goes to show The King is he who can hold onto the crown. Are you a historian by any chance ?

Mrs P is a great admirer of the sainted Queen Margaret ( formerly known as the Maid of Norway). We were going round Durham Cathedral and there she was, or there her tomb was, just behind St Cuthbert. It made Mrs P's day. I wonder why she was buried there.

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Originally Posted by prendrelemick

We were going round Durham Cathedral and there she was, or there her tomb was, just behind St Cuthbert. It made Mrs P's day.

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Always a good idea! Did you see Bede - he's buried in there as well.

Actually, it's not Margaret's tomb - it's a memorial. She's buried in Bergen. As for why she gets a chapel, well Bishop Bek was a supporter of the Scottish royal family into which she married, and supported her claim to the throne.

Yep, we saw the Bede extension round the back.

Not her tomb! That'll be my memory playing up again.

You're right, a look round Durham is a good idea - the Cathedral and the town. I prefer the solid no nonsense Norman style to the fancy soaring Gothic .

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Originally Posted by prendrelemick

You're right, a look round Durham is a good idea - the Cathedral and the town. I prefer the solid no nonsense Norman style to the fancy soaring Gothic .

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I am unashamedly of the opinion that Durham Cathedral is not only the finest piece of architecture in this country, but ranks amongst the finest in Europe overall. As far as ecclesiastical architecture goes, there isn't much that commands awe in the way Durham Cathedral does. And most things about the historic town centre are pleasing to the eye as well.

York Minster is the most beautiful building I have seen - my favourite building in my favourite city.

They're both impressive. The setting for Durham, overlooking the river, is brilliant . We visited in Autumn in the late 80s and the views were lovely.

The east window at york minster is really magnificent. Forget the photos, they can't do it justice, you have to go and see it.

Same with that royal choir screen, fantastic.



Edit: Did you go up the Tower Paul? Last time I was up there I had an attack of vertigo, I felt like clinging to the flag pole

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prendrelemick

The east window at york minster is really magnificent. Forget the photos, they can't do it justice, you have to go and see it.

Same with that royal choir screen, fantastic.



Edit: Did you go up the Tower Paul? Last time I was up there I had an attack of vertigo, I felt like clinging to the flag pole

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I did. I went up with Mrs Paulclem before we married. She hates heights - she has trouble crossing bridges - but wouldn't let me see that she was scared - until we were at the top! She was very shaky coming down those spiral stairs. Fantastic views and drop. Unnerving.

One of my friends went out with her Geology group yesterday to one of the local graveyards. (Interesting fossils in some of the headstones, apparently.) Her neighbour asked as she was leaving, 'Who are you going to dig up? Richard the Fourth?'

York Minster is a very close competitor to Durham Cathedral, but I think the Cathedral's spectacular setting and position just give it the edge. Also, York Minster charges you £10 to get in - a major black mark in my book!

Anyway, I heard a terrible joke on the radio before, and thought I'd share: "A team of archaeologists descended on a potatoe field in Dorset, having learned it may contain several King Edwards..."

That's Terrible!


Of the three great Northern Cathedrals Lincoln can hold its own as well. You go down a narrow street, through a gate and you are confronted by this

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...ps45d0686a.jpg

That's the West Front - the oldest bit , Now that's what I call an entrance.

At Durham you go through a insignificant side door and you find this.-

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...ps9178e0e8.jpg

Solid in-proportion Norman columns, cool and calm built to last.

York is stuffed with finery, like its east window.-

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...psac13fa38.jpg

These photos don't do any of them justice.
They are all fantastic, but I like Durham's honesty.

Since they started charging admission to York Minster I tend to admire it from the outside.

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Originally Posted by Paulclem

...She was very shaky coming down those spiral stairs. Fantastic views and drop. Unnerving.

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I can empathize with her, now imagine walking up spiral steps in a tilted tower!


http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...20-R02-170.jpg

The trek was unnerving, but the views are well worth it

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...20-R02-162.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prendrelemick

That's Terrible!


Of the three great Northern Cathedrals Lincoln can hold its own as well. You go down a narrow street, through a gate and you are confronted by this

[IMG]

That's the West Front - the oldest bit , Now that's what I call an entrance.

At Durham you go through a insignificant side door and you find this.-

[IMG]

Solid in-proportion Norman columns, cool and calm built to last.

York is stuffed with finery, like its east window.-

[IMG]

These photos don't do any of them justice.
They are all fantastic, but I like Durham's honesty.

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Amazing! Now I'm really cursing myself for not making it across the Channel.
One day I'll make the trek over there and drop in on you blokes and have you give me a tour.


EDIT...

Getting back to Richard III for a moment, has there been any updates on the recent discovery?

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Not really, there's a petition going round "demanding" his remains be buried in york, but it's not going to happen. The Ricardians have designed his tomb and will pay for it (I hope they get the rose the right way up though.)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...ps095c554a.jpg



King Charles I has a society too


http://skcm.org/