Plantagenet woes

Two interesting snippets of information appeared in the Easter issue of Country Life. Hot cross buns are now a round-the-year favourite in supermarkets but the magazine revealed that their sale was banned by Elizabeth I except on Good Friday, Christmas Day and at funerals. Tainted with poper y they didn’t bounce back in popularity until the 18th Centur y. In the same issue a reader’s letter highlights another unfortunate consequence of the Reformation. The Plantagenet family lived in Fotheringay Castle and the nearby collegiate church which houses the remains of Richard III’s mother, father and elder brother urgently needs repair. Before the Reformation Fotheringay was the most important collegiate church in the countr y but the Tudors were not big fans. Only 105 people live in the village where the church is situated and the Lotter y Fund has refused help. Perhaps Leicester Cathedral, profiting from an influx of tourists, could lend a hand. Private Eye refers to the ‘miraculous’ discover y of royal remains close to a hitherto unknown cathedral and suggests words for a hymn that could be sung by the choir and congregation:

There is a gift shop, near at hand, Within these holy walls. So get your hand upon your cash, For now the teashop calls.