Chooseyourevent.co.uk

Rare book signed by Richard III goes on show at Longleat

Saturday, March 2, 2013

A book that was given to King Richard III as a teenager has gone on public display at Longleat for the first time since it was written 550 years ago.

The rare signed book, which was written on vellum and features tales by Chaucer as well as other popular stories of the time, is part of a new exhibition on the Yorkist king which has opened at Longleat House in Wiltshire.

The book is one of only 13 of Richard III's books that is known to still exist. It is especially valuable as he has signed it 'R Gloucester' as he was only the Duke of Gloucester as a young man.

Above his signature he also wrote the words 'Tant le desieree', which means 'So much desired'.

It has been kept at Longleat since 1709 when it was purchased by Thomas Thynne, the First Viscount Weymouth, as part of a collection of medieval manuscripts.

Dr Kate Harris, curator at Longleat House, said: “It is a fascinating piece of history. His handwriting is extremely competent, which shows he was highly educated.

“Within the book are tales of derring-do, as well as classical Greek and Rome. Most of the books of the time were in French and Latin, so the fact that this one is in English is also unusual,” she added.

As well as the signed book, the new exhibition ‘The King’s Body: Richard III King of England 1483-1485’ features portraits on panel of the King alongside his two predecessors on the throne his brother, Edward IV and his nephew, Edward V as well as his successor Henry VII.

There are also on show original documents relating to the elder of the ‘Princes in the Tower’ who Richard was rumoured to have had killed.

As a pointed contrast there is also the three course menu for the coronation feast of Richard III himself. The dishes served to hundreds of diners in Westminster Hall included venison, roast cygnet, roast crane, roast heron, roast bittern, roast egret, sturgeon and pike.

The exhibition concludes with a copy of the First Folio Shakespeare of 1623. Shakespeare’s characterisation of the king in Richard III has had more influence on his reputation down the centuries than any historical document.

To view Longleat House on our UK site, click here.

More from :

Chooseyourevent.co.uk

Rare book signed by Richard III goes on show at Longleat

Other Event News