The League of Austen Artists: richard III reinterment

Thursday, March 26, 2015

VIDEO: Benedict Cumberbatch reading at Richard III's reburial

MIRROR
10:50, 26 March 2015 By Sam Adams

Benedict Cumberbatch arriving for the re-burial of King Richard III

Hollywood A-lister Benedict Cumberbatch has arrived at Leicester Cathedral for the reburial of King Richard III.

The actor, who is as closely related to the late monarch as the Queen, will read a specially-penned poem by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

Organisers kept Cumberbatch's appearance at the service in Leicester Cathedral a closely-guarded secret.

He is Richard's third cousin, 16 times removed, and is to play the last Plantagenet in a BBC adaptation of the War of the Roses.

Cumberbatch, star of 'The Imitation Game', will read the 14-line poem to the congregation of Royals, politicians and religious leaders.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Richard III: Benedict Cumberbatch to read poem at the reinterment

LEICESTER MERCURY
By PA_Warzynski | Posted: March 24, 2015

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Actor and proven descendant of Richard III Benedict Cumberbatch will read a poem at the king's reinterment on Thursday.

Cumberbatch, who will be playing Richard III in the BBC series The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, will read a work penned by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

The actor was recently identified as a third cousin, 16 times removed of King Richard lll.

Duffy was commissioned late last year by Leicester Cathedral, as plans for the services for the week were being discussed and drawn up.

The poem is entitled 'Richard' and it is described as "a meditation on the impact of his finding and on the legacy of his story".

The poet said: "It is a privilege to be involved, in a small way, in this unique event and to have seen the style and grace with which the City of Leicester has made history alive."

As his tomb will soon be revealed, the 14 line poem includes the phrase 'grant me the carving of my name', which is what has at last been achieved in the creation of the tomb in Leicester Cathedral.