Richard III Society of Canada
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richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Richard III Society of Canada
@richardiiisocca.bsky.social
930 followers 280 following 470 posts
What it says on the label. Interested in late 15th C with a focus on the Wars of the Roses but promotes anything medieval of interest.
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richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Our monthly meeting is today! Because our membership goes coast to coast, we hold it via Zoom. After a talk on Francis Lovel and the Rebels of Furness Fells, we will have a short business section then general chit-chat. It’s always a good time.
A mockup of a Zoom meeting but the attendees are all medieval people including Richard III, Anthony Woodville, Cecily Neville, and others.
November 9, 2025 at 12:45 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
All Saints North Street in York could probably tell you.
Very brightly painted ceiling in blue with gold stars. The angels are also vivid in a variety of colours.
November 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
A Falcon and Fetterlock misericord in Ludlow. This was the heraldic sign either for Richard duke of York, or his son, Edward IV. For #WoodenWednesday
a Misericord. In the middle is a bird surrounded by a fetterlock on which it is standing. On either side are similar, closed fetterlocks.
November 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
North Americans! (Well, most of us). Time to Fall back tonight. An extra hour of sleep!
(Image: BnF, département des Manuscrits, Français 455, fol. 4rof) Louis de Gruuthuse in front of a clock by the master of Margaret of York.)
A man sits in front of a very large clock with tools at his feet. He has both arms raised. A crowd of people in late 15th C clothing stand near him, most with their hands folded as though in prayer.
November 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
It's November. Why just knock acorns down from a tree the usual way when you can do it as an interpretive dance?
Image: The Belles Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry the Met (54.1.1 f12r)
Beautiful image with many gold highlights. 4 pigs are eating acorns on the ground. The swineherd, wearing a bright blue robe, has one foot forward, and the other behind him.He is leaning back, his body slightly turned with one arm thrown out in a big gesture. He holds a small stick that looks inadequate to the job but clearly isn't as there are many acorns on the ground.
November 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Happy Halloween! Have a picture of what is supposed to be bats but we think are clearly people in bat costumes in an "Oooh aren't we scary" pose. From the 13th C Northumberland Bestiary (Image: Getty Museum MS 100, fol. 37r)
Painting in a medieval manuscript. Two bats stand side by side with wings outstretched. There is a frame drawn around them but their wings and one tail is in front of the frame. They look scary with sharp teeth.
October 31, 2025 at 2:21 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Among the other rare items is this reproduction of a great Seal of Edward IV, issued in 1979 as part of the Quincentenary Celebrations of the founding of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. It is 50 years old & in great shape as you can see. Bid before it is too late. www.richardiii.ca/auction-2025/
Photo of the back of the seal. It is a printed label explaining what it is, why it was created and describes the various elements of the obverse of the seal. Photo of a great seal in a dark red wax or wax like substance. It shows Edward IV on a throne. Various elements such as his sun in splendour can be seen.
October 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
We used these images & descriptions at a public event this year where we had people choose a creature that represented them, then we read them their attributes. Great amazement & laughter.
bestiary.ca/beastimage/m...
Image of a tiger being fooled by a mirror into thinking it is her cub, which is actually being stolen away by a man on horseback.
October 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Our first half of our auction, of rare and vintage Ricardian items, is now over. It was open to members of the Society only. Now we have opened it up to everyone and there are some exciting items left. For one week only!
www.richardiii.ca/auction-2025/
A plague depicting Anne Neville wearing a heraldic cape, her feet on the Warwick bear. Two halves of a Great Seal of Richard III
October 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
We have an exciting announcement coming up tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Image BL Royal 3D VI
A rabbit sitting on a couple of leaves is blowing a horn.
October 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Richard III Society members hold many different views. We do have a core Mission Statement though.
In the belief that many of the traditional accounts of the character and career of Richard III are neither supported by sufficient evidence nor reasonably tenable, the Society aims to promote, in every possible way, research into the life and times of Richard III, and to secure a reassessment of the material relating to this period, and to raise awareness of the role in history of this monarch.
October 23, 2025 at 12:44 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
It's #ThrowbackThursday and we have an old postcard of Swine Cross in Middleham. It was also known as The Upper Cross to distinguish it from the Middleham Market cross. It is thought that the lump of stone on the left might be Richard III's boar. See alt text for details.
Old photograph in black and white of a stone monument. There are 4 steps up to 2 sections. The one on the left has an indistinct lump of stone that is long and might indeed have been a boar, although a bull is also possible. The sign that has since replaced the fire hydrant in the picture says "This cross is thought to commemorate the grant obtained for Middleham in 1479 for a fair and market twice yearly in Whitsun week and at the feast of St Simon and St Jude by Richard Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III. The heraldic animal may be his own cognisance of the white boar, or the emblem of the family of his wife, Anne Neville, co-heiress of the lordship of Middleham”.
October 16, 2025 at 2:21 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
The door to the Stanbury Chapel at Hereford Cathedral. The chapel is the resting place of John Stanbury, Bishop of Hereford from 1453 - 1474. Image courtesy @tbryce1485.bsky.social For #AdoorableThursday
A wooden door with an unusual wrought iron top third, allowing one to peer inside the chapel.
October 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
One of October's Labour of the Month was harvesting fruit. This lovely image deserves to be seen in full, especially for the woman shimmying up the tree.
A full page from a medieval manuscript. On either side of the text are tall trees with people visibly picking fruit high up among the leaves. One woman is somehow pulling herself up the straight trunk. The fruit, apples perhaps, appear to be tossed down to the labourers below who are putting them in baskets. One woman has her hand in front of her face. Either she is eating or she has been hit on the nose with some fruit as it came down from the tree.
October 1, 2025 at 12:42 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
These two miscreants didn't renew their membership in the Richard III Society by October 2. Luckily for the rest of us, there's still time! See www.richardiii.ca/general-memb... on how to join the Cdn Branch.
Image: Ms. Ludwig XIII 6, leaf 12 (83.MP.149.12.recto)
Image from a manuscript. Two men in chains kneel in front of a woman who is surrounded by courtiers. She wears an elaborate late 15th C outfit.
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Some lovely 14/15th C tiles from Haughmond Abbey, sent to us by @tbryce1485.bsky.social for #TilesOnTuesday
September 23, 2025 at 3:18 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
A magnificent medieval chest in Hereford Cathedral for #WoodenWednesday
A square chest, highly carved, with three sets of locks on it.
September 17, 2025 at 2:21 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Membership dues to the Richard III Society, whether directly or through us, are due in 3 weeks. Be like this happy woman dancing on her way to pay! Image Cotton MS Nero D VII f110v www.richardiii.ca/general-memb...
Painting from a medieval manuscript. A woman in a long dress holds up cloth and a bag of what appears to be money. Her veil floats behind her. She appears to be dancing or moving quickly, probably to pay her membership fees.
September 11, 2025 at 1:51 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Our first meeting since we broke for the summer is this Sunday. Members have been reading Thomas Penn's The Brothers York and an interesting conversation is practically guaranteed. Our mtgs are online so members coast to coast can join in. Image Bodleian Library Douce 287 fp5v
An image from a manuscript of a woman reading. The book is on a platform with other open books. To the side and back are other open books and some closed ones.
September 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Wonky but lovely stonework at Fountains Abbey for #AdoorableThursday. Even if it is more of an AdoorableDoorway
Ruins of a building in darkened stone. In the centre is a Norman doorway. The arch is uneven. Above it is another opening shaped like a large triangle.
September 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Can’t wait to see Richard on your Christmas tree! (Ok, we *can* wait, it is far too early).
September 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
For September there are two popular Labours of the Month. stomping grapes& sowing the winter crop. Last year we went for the former & our image was hidden because of how little the stomper was wearing! So this year we are going for the safer bet.This man is harvesting the last of the wheat.
Stain glass roundel. A man with a scythe is cutting down wheat. Behind him as a stack that has already been tied up. The glass is worn and it is difficult to make out that it says "September" at the top. From the V & A
September 1, 2025 at 2:53 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Renewal time is coming close! You want to be a member of the Richard III Society don't you? Join through us and the Cdn Branch membership is free. www.richardiii.ca/general-memb...
A woman with a bag of money dances towards the renewal link. Cotton MS Nero D VII f110v
September 1, 2025 at 12:28 AM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
Time for some #ThrowbackThursday we think. Here are a couple of photos of Croyland/Crowland Abbey. Known to many as the place that the Croyland Chronicle originated. #Medievalsky
Black and white image from a postcard.It is take from the graveyard looking to the south east.Various bits of ruins can be seen including some impressive arches. Black and white image from a postcard. Another angle looking through the graveyard towards the church and what is left of the larger abbey.
August 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM
richardiiisocca.bsky.social
In honour of #InternationalDogDay here are two lovely hounds that can be found at Genève, Bibliothèque de Genève / Ms. fr. 160 – Brunetto Latini, the 'Trésor' / f. 76r
A painting of a brown dog with it's nose to the ground standing next to a long thin white dog with it's head held high.
August 26, 2025 at 8:14 PM