Parking our car on the second level of a multi-story car park, we could look down on all the continuing building work and see the spire of the Cathedral Church of St Martin in the distance. Walking through the newly paved streets we found ourselves on the grounds of St Martins, and standing with our backs to the cathedral's arched entrance we could see Richard III's statue, recently taken from Castle Gardens, standing in front of the entrance to the new visitors centre. This is what we had come back to Leicester to see following a day spent at the re-enactment of the Battle of Bosworth the day before. We arrived at our pre-booked time slot refreshed and eager.
I was amazed how tasteful this new build is and how the glass and the brass effect complemented the red brick buildings of the Grammar School on its left and the buildings that make up St Martins on its right. The entrance is large and airy and incorporates the gift shop where you can purchase all the books you will ever need if you wish to study the life of King himself. There are a few gift items, and I emphasise the word few, such as mugs, key rings, pencils, etc all the things that you usually find in any exhibition and it is nice to see that there is no 'tat' or cheap plastic rubbish aimed at children.
Although we were two among many I never felt rushed or that I should move along to the next section. The whole place has a calmness and serene feel to it especially Richard's grave area, which I thought was cleverly lit with natural light, it is sensitively presented. Quite rightly, you cannot stand on or walk over the king's grave, but what you can do is look down and reflect on his death and his life with respect, or sit and chat to others on seating that is a little further back.
"Absolutely ghastly – words fail me. What a way to treat an anointed King of England"
they should be ashamed of themselves, especially if they have never visited.
Look at my two photographs and consider the fact that the people behind this exhibition have had Richard's own words, the words he himself wrote in his Book of Hours carved in stone above his grave. These people should be commended not criticised,
"Lord Jesus Christ, deign to free me, your servant King Richard, from every tribulation, sorrow and trouble in which I am placed."
My money and time were well spent.
Leicester's exhibition The Story of King Richard III: Dynasty, Death and Discovery is of course about looking back but also has a great emphasis on looking forward and this is cleverly done, and not necessarily through its interpretation of Richards story, but through its modern, airy architectural designed building that places Richard III and his future story in a completely new light.