A Cross Roads author is flying the flag for a spirited campaign to ‘bring home’ the body of a King of England

Carol Fellingham Webb proudly counts herself amongst the thousands of people who want Richard III to be re-buried in Yorkshire instead of Leicester.

She is currently writing a book for older children about the life of the monarch to help rehabilitate his blackened reputation. She describes herself as a “long-time Ricardian”, or supporter of Richard III.

“I was delighted when his grave was rediscovered last year,” she said. “However, I’m saddened at the squabble about where his remains should be buried.

“Leicester Council wish to rebury him in their cathedral because it is closest to where he was killed at the battle of Bosworth, and to where his body was then hastily buried in the Greyfriars Church. Many other people, including me, believe he would have wished to be buried where he spent most of his life – certainly the happiest part – here in Yorkshire.

“He lived for many years at Middleham in Wensleydale, latterly with his wife and Yorkshire-born son. He was loved and respected by the Yorkshire people of his time, and in letters he referred to returning to Yorkshire as coming home.

“There is an ongoing legal review which has stated that, because Richard was an anointed and crowned King of all England, it isn’t up to Leicester to make the decision on his reburial and public opinion should be taken into account.”

She added that she wanted people to go to http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/38772 and add their names to the petition calling for Richard to be reburied at York Minster. The closing date for adding names is September 24.

People can also help the general campaign by going to http://yorkshirerose.simpl.com/.

Ms Fellingham Webb, of Bingley Road, said: “There isn’t much more time for us to show how strong feeling is.”