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E-petition

Richard III to be re-interred at York Minster

Responsible department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

For the mortal remains of England's last Plantagenet King, and the last King to die in battle, recently discovered under a Council car-park in Leicester, to be re-interred with due dignity and respect in York Minster. He was the last King of the House of York and it is recorded that he was popular in and fond of the North and York in particular where he was regarded with much love and affection. It will also place him geographically closer to the remains of his son, Edward the Prince of Wales, whose remains lie in Sheriff Hutton church.

For the UK
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/38772

Worldwide
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/961/861/672/return-king-richard-iii-to-yorkshire/#sign


There is plenty of evidence to suggest that King Richard wished to be buried in York and particularly in the Minster. However, the question of respecting his wishes doesn’t even seem to have been considered when the decision was made that he would be interred at Leicester Cathedral.

Richard, who was the last Plantagenet king, and the last English monarch to die in battle, had strong connections with the City of York and the County of Yorkshire. He spent much of his youth at Middleham Castle and for 12 years he ruled the North of England on behalf of his elder brother, King Edward IV, earning a widespread reputation for fair-mindedness and justice. After becoming king, he visited York several times and was showered with gifts each time. His son, Edward, was crowned Prince of Wales whilst in York.

Although entitled to be buried at Westminster Abbey alongside other kings and queens of England, Richard III announced his intention to be buried at York, and in 1483 set in motion plans for a new chantry chapel at York Minster. Indeed, so strongly was Richard linked to York that the City authorities greeted the news of his death at the Battle of Bosworth with these words: “King Richard, late mercifully reigning over us, was, through great treason, piteously slain and murdered, to the great heaviness of this city.”