Re-interment of King Richard III

bb1 wrote:I take it the Yorkies will be claiming Prince Andrew when he pops his clogs?

bb1 wrote:I've been looking at pics of York Minster, LL, trying to work out why it does little for me, and I think it's because it's just TOO big. It sort of looms over everything, and it's so massive, it's rather impersonal? It's not really on a human scale, unlike Leicester Cathedral?

bb1 wrote:I'll just increase the size, LL, that's an easy fix!

That wasn't the 16th century equivalent of Sauces Say, was it? That was then read as being statements of fact?

bb1 wrote:No Free Speech - look at what happened to Thomas More when he dared to challenge his friend, the King.

Ever since I found out about his fondness for heretic-incineration, I confess, I have rather felt it served More right, LL.

The tomb of King Richard III was unveiled at Leicester Cathedral today, sparking another day of queues and celebrations.

Hundreds of people were invited to St Martin's to witness the revealing of the two-ton Swaledale fossil tombstone which encloses the king in his grave.

The congregation included city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, Chief Constable Simon Cole and former X Factor winner Sam Bailey, who praised the choir's contribution to the occasion.

"I used to be in a choir and they totally outshone anything I've done," she said.

"The whole week has been great to be part of – it's been amazing for Leicester."

The service was the last of a series of three at the cathedral. They started on Sunday when Richard III's coffin was officially handed over to the care of the diocese after being taken around the county.

The royal reinterment took place yesterday.

Today, the focus was on scores of performers from Curve, who acted out a contemporary installation complete with drum and bass soundtrack, gunfire sound effects and a giant towering sculpture, which took centre stage on the alter.

"Today, we are joined by Curve as they lead us in a performance of dance, drama and scripture," said Bishop of Leicester the Right Rev Tim Stevens.

Six of the theatre's company had the honour of removing the ceremonial cloth that covered the tomb of Richard III. The cloth was wrapped up to resemble a swaddled baby and passed around the cathedral to represent birth and new life.

Two hundred of those at the service had been given invitations after entering a public ballot.

Ticket holder Dane Jones, 14, from Beaumont Leys, Leicester, said: "I though the performance was interesting and epitomised what Leicester is all about. It's what I would have expected.

"The performance was dramatic and brought together new and old."

James Mortimer, 38, from Hertfordshire, said: "I thought it was great.

"The dance music was a bit much, though. I'm more of a traditional kind of person.

"But it's a beautiful cathedral and Leicester should be proud."

Gary Short, 45, from Milton Keynes, said: "To hear drum and bass music inside a cathedral is a bit surreal, but I can see what they were trying to do – mix contemporary with history."

Once the service had finished, the congregation was given the opportunity to view the newly created tomb before the cathedral opened to the public later in the day.

Helen Muckley, 49, had travelled from Tipton, in the West Midlands, with her 22-year-old daughter, Beth.

They were two of the first people past the newly unveiled tomb.

"It's lovely," said Helen. "Quite fitting.

"We got invites through the ballot and it's amazing to be here."

April Moss, 39, and husband Kevin, 54, from Quorn, were also at the service of reveal and filed past the tomb with the crowd.

"It's amazing", said April. "We've seen the artist's impressions but seeing it for real is something special."

Cathedral leaders are now looking to the future and the changes a buried king will make to St Martin's.

The Rev Pete Hobson, acting canon missioner at Leicester Cathedral, who is part of the team which has organised the reinterment, said: "This changes the game for us at the cathedral, and for Leicester, forever, so we will see what happens over the next few days, months and years."

Dean of Leicester the Very Rev David Monteith said: "Once you put a monarch in your cathedral you start thinking about yourself differently.

"When I looked out and saw the crowds, I almost sensed people's chests puffed out – they are genuinely proud – and there's a feeling of achievement here in the city."

Tonight, thousands gathered for the finale of the reinterment week – an illumination ceremony made up of hundreds of candles dotted around St Martin's and Jubilee Square, as well as a fireworks display from the roof of the cathedral.