Musings From Munsch – Richard III

A few weeks ago, I was talking with Miki and she mentioned reading The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. This stirred up long-forgotten memories of my introduction to Tey’s seminal work. I was a freshman in college (ancient history now) and my English teacher, Sister Josepha, recommended this book. We had been reading Richard III (“Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this son of York.”) by Shakespeare.

If you have not read (and why not?) The Daughter of Time, published in 1951, it features as its protagonist Inspector Allan Grant, a bedridden patient in hospital. To cheer him up, his friends bring him a variety of books. When a friend brings him a portrait of Richard III, Grant begins his research into the hunchbacked king and his era. Long story short, he does enough research to question the long-held version of Richard, believing the ‘bad’ king could have been a ‘good’ king, had he lived.

This book sent me on my own quest to discover the real Richard. Somehow in the pre-Google age, I connected with the American branch of the Richard III Society, dedicated to clearing Richard’s name. And then, lo and behold, I joined like-minded Ricardians to form the Ohio chapter.

Most of the members lived in one of the Ohio ‘C’ cities: Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati. We organized ourselves, agreeing to meet quarterly, traveling up and down I-71. We established a newsletter, all the trappings of a chapter.

I don’t remember all their names, but what an interesting group of people. Tom, a history teacher, was a culinary expert in medieval foods. He would bring ‘desserts’ to the meetings. Another was a member of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). He made his own chain mail, not as easy as knitting a sweater. At every meeting one of us would present a short paper on an aspect of medieval life or the life of Richard. Very intimidating for such a dilettante as myself, but I always made a decent showing in spite of my shaky knees.

Our chapter was asked to host the Annual General Meeting. Quite the honor. Naturally, I volunteered to organize this event with the help of another member. And that we did. Held at the Marriott in Cleveland, Tom, the culinary expert, worked with the hotel to provide a medieval feast (without throwing bones on the floor). Everyone donned their costumes and we spent the weekend back in the fifteenth century. A grand night indeed.

Many years later, my daughter and I made a trip to York, England, where we visited the Richard III museum, a very moving experience.

I cannot close without mentioning a most beautiful book about Richard. The Sunne in Splendor, written by Sharon Kay Penman, is a meticulously researched book about the ‘hunchbacked king.’ Penman insisted authors who wrote of historical events and personages should adhere to the facts or acknowledge the bending of them. As well as penning volumes close to one thousand words each, she also created the Justin de Quincy mystery series set in medieval times. My recollection is that she was a Sister in Crime, one I sadly never had the opportunity to meet. Sadly, she passed away in 2021.

The Daughter of Time sent me on a mysterious journey. I became a member of the Richard III (say who?) Society and, in a roundabout way, to the Sisters in Crime (say what?). And I’ve had a roaring good time along the way.