Latest news with #UniversityofLeicester
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
UK ‘princes in the tower' murder probe clears Richard III
It is one of history's most intriguing 'murders' -- the mysterious disappearance over five centuries ago of two young princes from the Tower of London. Nearly 200 years after they disappeared, two small skeletons were found in a wooden box at the historic tower and reburied at Westminster Abbey. The remains were believed, but never proved, to be those of the two brothers -- heir to the throne Edward, 12, and Richard, nine, the sons of King Edward IV of England, who were reputedly murdered at the behest of their uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester. William Shakespeare later immortalized him in Richard III as a scheming hunchback who did away with his royal nephews so he could take the crown himself, sealing his reputation as a child killer. Now British author Philippa Langley, who helped unearth Richard's body from a central England carpark in 2012, has claimed that the princes -- far from being killed -- actually survived. The elder prince, Edward, was heir to the throne at the time of his disappearance and would have ruled as King Edward V of England. Langley decided to delve into the mystery after coming to believe that the conventional narrative in which Richard had the young princes killed smacked of 'history being written by the victors'. She was finally spurred into action after reading an article about Richard's reburial at Leicester Cathedral in 2015 which questioned whether the nation should honor a 'child killer'. 'I think I'd always realized that the story sort of developed during the reign of the Tudors,' she said, adding that it was then 'repeated and repeated over time' until it became 'truth and fact'. An undated handout picture released on February 4, 2013 from the University of Leicester shows the skeleton of king Richard III found at the Grey Friars Church excavation site in Leicester. --AFP photos An Uber boat passes The Tower of London on The River Thames under a cloudy sky in London. Tudor mud The last English king to die in battle, Richard ruled from 1483 until his brutal death at the Battle of Bosworth near Leicester in 1485, aged 32. Bosworth was the last major conflict in the Wars of the Roses and changed the course of English history because the Tudor dynasty of Henry VII captured the crown from Richard's Plantagenets. Langley attributes the accepted story that Richard had the boys murdered to King Henry VII, a 'very, very intelligent individual, but suspicious and highly paranoid'. 'He had a massive spy network working for him. And he was able to completely control the narrative,' she said, adding that Richard ended up 'covered in Tudor mud'. Taking a cold case review approach to the historical 'whodunnit', Langley says she assembled a group of investigative specialists, including police and lawyers, to advise her. 'They said: 'Look, if you haven't got any confirmed, identified bodies, then it has to be a missing persons investigation and you have to follow that methodology'. 'They said: 'You have to actively look for evidence'. That's when it really started to get interesting.' Langley put out an appeal for volunteers to scour archives, only to be inundated with offers of help from people ranging from ordinary citizens to medieval historians. The result was the decade-long Missing Princes Project which she says unearthed a significant amount of information pointing to the survival of both young princes. Survival theory Langley now believes that it is up to Richard's detractors to disprove the survival thesis, which she outlines in the new book 'The Princes in the Tower: Solving History's Greatest Cold Case'. 'The onus is now on them to find the evidence that the boys died. 'They cannot say Richard III murdered the princes in the tower any more because we found numerous proofs of life everywhere,' she said. Key to Langley's conviction that both boys survived are documents discovered supporting a rebellion by 'Edward IV's son'. During the rebellion in 1487, Lambert Simnel, a pretender to the throne who came forward after Richard's death, was crowned in Dublin. According to fresh references found by the project, the boy was 'called' or said to be 'a son of King Edward', which she believes points to Simnel being the elder prince, son of Edward IV. The reaction to Langley's research has been mixed. Michael Dobson, director and a professor of Shakespeare studies at the University of Birmingham's Shakespeare Institute, expressed scepticism. 'Given the ways of dynastic monarchy, I think Richard would have been taking a very big risk in leaving those princes alive,' he said. 'The chances of their having accidentally gone missing while incarcerated on his orders in the Tower of London seem pretty remote.' — AFP
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Toronto Sun
U.K. 'princes in the tower' murder probe clears Richard III
Published Jul 18, 2025 • 3 minute read Richard III's body was unearthed in a car park in central England in 2012 Photo by - / University of Leicester/AFP London (AFP) — It is one of history's most intriguing 'murders' — the mysterious disappearance over five centuries ago of two young princes from the Tower of London. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Nearly 200 years after they disappeared, two small skeletons were found in a wooden box at the historic tower and reburied at Westminster Abbey. The remains were believed, but never proved, to be those of the two brothers — heir to the throne Edward, 12, and Richard, nine, the sons of King Edward IV of England, who were reputedly murdered at the behest of their uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester. William Shakespeare later immortalized him in Richard III as a scheming hunchback who did away with his royal nephews so he could take the crown himself, sealing his reputation as a child killer. Now British author Philippa Langley, who helped unearth Richard's body from a central England carpark in 2012, has claimed that the princes — far from being killed — actually survived. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The elder prince, Edward, was heir to the throne at the time of his disappearance and would have ruled as King Edward V of England. Langley decided to delve into the mystery after coming to believe that the conventional narrative in which Richard had the young princes killed smacked of 'history being written by the victors'. She was finally spurred into action after reading an article about Richard's reburial at Leicester Cathedral in 2015 which questioned whether the nation should honour a 'child killer'. 'I think I'd always realised that the story sort of developed during the reign of the Tudors,' she said, adding that it was then 'repeated and repeated over time' until it became 'truth and fact'. Tudor mud The last English king to die in battle, Richard ruled from 1483 until his brutal death at the Battle of Bosworth near Leicester in 1485, aged 32. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bosworth was the last major conflict in the Wars of the Roses and changed the course of English history because the Tudor dynasty of Henry VII captured the crown from Richard's Plantagenets. Langley attributes the accepted story that Richard had the boys murdered to King Henry VII, a 'very, very intelligent individual, but suspicious and highly paranoid'. Yeoman Warder Ravenmaster Chris Skaife at the Tower of London, where the young princes were imprisoned. (TOLGA AKMEN/AFP) Photo by TOLGA AKMEN / AFP 'He had a massive spy network working for him. And he was able to completely control the narrative,' she said, adding that Richard ended up 'covered in Tudor mud'. Taking a cold case review approach to the historical 'whodunnit', Langley says she assembled a group of investigative specialists, including police and lawyers, to advise her. 'They said: 'Look, if you haven't got any confirmed, identified bodies, then it has to be a missing persons investigation and you have to follow that methodology'. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'They said: 'You have to actively look for evidence'. That's when it really started to get interesting.' Langley put out an appeal for volunteers to scour archives, only to be inundated with offers of help from people ranging from ordinary citizens to medieval historians. The result was the decade-long Missing Princes Project which she says unearthed a significant amount of information pointing to the survival of both young princes. Survival theory Langley now believes that it is up to Richard's detractors to disprove the survival thesis, which she outlines in the new book 'The Princes in the Tower: Solving History's Greatest Cold Case'. 'The onus is now on them to find the evidence that the boys died. 'They cannot say Richard III murdered the princes in the tower anymore because we found numerous proofs of life everywhere,' she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Key to Langley's conviction that both boys survived are documents discovered supporting a rebellion by 'Edward IV's son'. During the rebellion in 1487, Lambert Simnel, a pretender to the throne who came forward after Richard's death, was crowned in Dublin. Langley says there is evidence the princes were not murdered by their uncle, Richard III. (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP) Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP According to fresh references found by the project, the boy was 'called' or said to be 'a son of King Edward', which she believes points to Simnel being the elder prince, son of Edward IV. The reaction to Langley's research has been mixed. Michael Dobson, director and a professor of Shakespeare studies at the University of Birmingham's Shakespeare Institute, expressed skepticism. 'Given the ways of dynastic monarchy, I think Richard would have been taking a very big risk in leaving those princes alive,' he said. 'The chances of their having accidentally gone missing while incarcerated on his orders in the Tower of London seem pretty remote.' Toronto & GTA Tennis Toronto & GTA MMA Toronto Maple Leafs
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
New book questions Richard III's role in princes' disappearance, claims survival
The elder prince, Edward, was heir to the throne at the time of his disappearance and would have ruled as King Edward V of England. Langley decided to delve into the mystery after coming to believe that the conventional narrative in which Richard had the young princes killed smacked of 'history being written by the victors'. She was finally spurred into action after reading an article about Richard's reburial at Leicester Cathedral in 2015 which questioned whether the nation should honour a 'child killer'. 'I think I'd always realised that the story sort of developed during the reign of the Tudors,' she said, adding that it was then 'repeated and repeated over time' until it became 'truth and fact'. The last English king to die in battle, Richard ruled from 1483 until his brutal death at the Battle of Bosworth near Leicester in 1485, aged 32. Bosworth was the last major conflict in the Wars of the Roses and changed the course of English history because the Tudor dynasty of Henry VII captured the crown from Richard's Plantagenets. Langley attributes the accepted story that Richard had the boys murdered to King Henry VII, a 'very, very intelligent individual, but suspicious and highly paranoid'. 'He had a massive spy network working for him. And he was able to completely control the narrative,' she said, adding that Richard ended up 'covered in Tudor mud'. Taking a cold case review approach to the historical 'whodunnit', Langley says she assembled a group of investigative specialists, including police and lawyers, to advise her. 'They said: 'Look, if you haven't got any confirmed, identified bodies, then it has to be a missing persons investigation and you have to follow that methodology'. 'They said: 'You have to actively look for evidence'. That's when it really started to get interesting.' An undated handout picture released on February 4, 2013 from the University of Leicester shows the skeleton of king Richard III found at the Grey Friars Church excavation site in Leicester. Photo / AFP Langley put out an appeal for volunteers to scour archives, only to be inundated with offers of help from people ranging from ordinary citizens to medieval historians. The result was the decade-long Missing Princes Project which she says unearthed a significant amount of information pointing to the survival of both young princes. Langley now believes that it is up to Richard's detractors to disprove the survival thesis, which she outlines in the new book The Princes in the Tower: Solving History's Greatest Cold Case. 'The onus is now on them to find the evidence that the boys died. 'They cannot say Richard III murdered the princes in the tower any more because we found numerous proofs of life everywhere,' she said. Key to Langley's conviction that both boys survived are documents discovered supporting a rebellion by 'Edward IV's son'. During the rebellion in 1487, Lambert Simnel, a pretender to the throne who came forward after Richard's death, was crowned in Dublin. According to fresh references found by the project, the boy was 'called' or said to be 'a son of King Edward', which she believes points to Simnel being the elder prince, son of Edward IV. The reaction to Langley's research has been mixed. Michael Dobson, director and a professor of Shakespeare studies at the University of Birmingham's Shakespeare Institute, expressed scepticism. 'Given the ways of dynastic monarchy, I think Richard would have been taking a very big risk in leaving those princes alive,' he said. 'The chances of their having accidentally gone missing while incarcerated on his orders in the Tower of London seem pretty remote.' -Agence France-Presse
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kasabian frontman receives honorary degree in Leicester
Kasabian frontman Sergio Pizzorno has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Leicester. The 44-year-old co-founder of the Leicester indie band accepted his honorary doctorate of music at a graduation ceremony held at the city's De Montfort told the audience at the graduation ceremony receiving the degree in the city he grew up in was "surreal" and an "incredible honour". Kerry Law, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Leicester said Pizzorno's story was "woven into the fabric of the city" and he was in the mould of "many of the university's great innovators". Pizzorno has been with Kasabian since 1997 with highlights including a 2014 Glastonbury headline spot, alongside seven UK number one receiving his award, Pizzorno said: "I'd like to give a huge thank you to the university for this incredible honour, and all of you graduating today, nice one, let's have a round of applause for you all."Pizzorno told the BBC the city meant "everything" to him and all the "major things" that happened in his life - from meeting his wife to being in a band - took place in Leicester."The city is in the blood, so it was the most beautiful thing to be honoured in your hometown at such a prestigious university," he said. Kerry Law told the audience at De Montfort Hall that like many graduates in attendance Pizzorno had "overcome barriers". She said: "At school he felt at odds with a formal approach to music education, and when he told his careers advisor he wanted to be a footballer, he was urged to be more realistic."'Fine', he said, 'I'll be a rock star'. A joke perhaps, but also a promise." 'Just enjoy it' The singer told the BBC it was "mad" that after nearly 20 years they were still able to go out and perform in front of thousands of people all over the world. "Usually you're on your way out 20 years in, everyone's kind of going 'oh thanks, move along', but it's kind of getting bigger and better than ever," he if he had any advice for those graduating today, he said: "Just try and enjoy life because it goes like that."So don't sweat the big stuff, the small stuff - just enjoy it."
ITV News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Kasabian frontman 'Serge' presented honorary degree from University of Leicester
Watch Serge's speech in full as he is presented with his honorary degree. Kasabian singer, songwriter and record producer, Sergio 'Serge' Pizzorno has receive an honorary degree from the University of Leicester. The 45-year-old co-founder of the Leicestershire indie rock outfit has racked up seven UK number one albums. Serge took to the stage at De Montfort Hall, on Wednesday 16 July, to accept his honorary Doctorate of Music at one of the University's summer graduation ceremonies. Speaking on the stage as he received his degree, Serge said: 'I'd like to give a huge thank you to the university for this incredible honour, and all of you graduating today, nice one, let's have a round of applause for you all.'Here you are gloriously robed, cap on head and brilliant. Also, a shout out to the lecturers, professors and academic wizards who guided you, to the parents and friends and families who sent you beer money thinking it was for text books. 'This is your life, not mine, your path will be beautifully different. Change is growth, it isn't failure, it means you're alive, you're learning, you're paying attention – never be afraid to change your course.'Embrace the scary stuff, because that's where the magic lives.'You are capable of more than you think, you won't find that by staying in your comfort zone. Also, play. Play with ideas, play with failure, play like it matters and sometimes play like it doesn't. The outcomes will arrive, the joy is in the process and that's where the real gold is.'Dedicate. When you find something you love, pursue it with everything you've got. There's no deadline on discovery, embrace that chaos.' Kasabian's accolades puts them on a par with the likes of Blur, Muse, The Prodigy, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Elton John and Ed Sheeran. Kasabian's members met while attending Leysland High School and Countesthorpe Community College, both in the village of Countesthorpe, south of has been with the band since 1997 with notable highlights including a 2014 Glastonbury headline spot and three appearances at Victoria Park, next to the University campus – one of which was to celebrate Leicester City FC's Premier League title in 2016. In 2010, Serge composed the music for the movie London Boulevard, starring Colin Farrell, Ray Winstone and Keira Knightley. In 2011, he joined forces with friend Noel Fielding to create music for his new E4 sketch show Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy. They formed a project called Loose Tapestries. Together, they also wrote the music for the second series of the show, which aired in 2014. Serge is also listed as an executive producer on the film Walk Like a Panther (2018). In 2019, he released his first solo album, THE Nishan Canagarajah, university president and vice-chancellor, said: 'This homegrown talent has not only delivered his iconic brand of music to vast audiences worldwide but here too in Victoria Park – helping Leicester celebrate huge moments of joy through our local football team and adding to the fantastic vibrancy of our multi-cultural city. "Sergio has undoubtedly helped put the city of Leicester on the map and this accolade today is our way of acknowledging this and our sense of pride in his achievements.'
