This is Leicestershire --
The Mercury's campaign to keep Richard III in the city where he was buried more than 500 years ago has helped stir people's passions forthe last Plantagenet king.
More than 4,000 people have backed the petition in the past week alone.
Although the ill-fated monarch was originally buried in Leicester – and despite a Ministry of Justice licence stating the remains will be reinterred here – the king's ultimate resting place is the subject of a legal battle.
Our campaign hopes to help to defeat a legal challenge by a group called the Plantagenet Alliance and see the king buried in Leicester Cathedral.
We asked people involved in the Richard III project, as well as some members of the public, for their views.
*Supporters come out fighting to have Richard III erinterred in Leicester * *Sir Peter Soulsby, mayor of Leicester* "The cathedral is part of our city, where Richard was buried, and county, where he died. There can be no argument that he should be buried anywhere else" *The Rt Rev Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester* "The cathedral is committed to reinterring the remains of King Richard III with dignity and respect and the work going on, in and around the cathedral, will make sure that happens. "Leicester has been home to the grave of the king for more than 500 years and I see no reason why that should change" *Jennifer, Lady Gretton, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire* "I'm involved in the project, only in the capacity of being the Queen's representative. My views are the same as most, I suppose – he died in the county and was buried in the city and the case for reinterring him in the same parish is overwhelming" *Professor Sir Bob Burgess, Chancellor of the University of Leicester* "I believe about developing the city and the region as a part of English history. The discovery that has been made is central for the future of Leicester in terms of tourism and historic legacy" *Stephen Barney, of the Leicester Diocesan board of finance* "It goes without saying that the opportunity for the city and county is a game changer – it could change the face of Leicester forever." *Richard Buckley, archaeologist on the Greyfriars dig* "I still think reinterring Richard here in Leicester is absolutely the right thing to do. I'm a born and bred Leicester lad but, even if I wasn't, I'd still support Leicester's claim simply because it's consistent with the best archaeological and religious practices." *The Very Rev David Monteith of Leicester* "Plans are in place for a brand new setting for the cathedral and Richard's tomb – we are altering the surrounds to make it a real destination for visitors to pay their respects to the king." *Nick Rushton, county council leader* "Richard died in the county and was buried in the city and there is no question about where his remains should be laid to rest. We've got a real king and we've had him for more than 500 years - unlike places like Nottingham which only has a fable." *Emma Wigley, project assistant Aylestone* "He was buried in Greyfriars, in the city, and reburying him at the cathedral is a testament to the friars who risked treason to bury his body." *Sam Caudwellworker, voluntary worker Sheffield* "I think he should be buried here, it seems to be right to keep him in the parish. Also, I think he'd be special here. He wouldn't have the same exclusivity in York." *Krzysztof Sawicki, apprentice, Sheffield* "I think he should be buried here. It would be good for tourism, but it's also the right thing to do. The benefits for the city are big, but I think Leicester would be a dignified and respectful burial place for the king." *Stuart Tipping, near Preston* "I think he should remain here without a shadow of a doubt. It was a miracle that they found him and we've come here especially to see what all the fuss is about. We never realised Leicester was such a beautiful city." *Margaret Tipping, retired, Longton, near Preston* "I'm not an official member of the Richard III Society, but I definitely have a soft spot for him. Now we've come here to Leicester and seen the cathedral and beautiful city, I definitely think he would have the perfect burial here."
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*GET INVOLVED: How to show your support* To show your support for the Mercury's campaign sign the petition here: *epetitions.direct.gov.uk* It takes just a few minutes and readers will need to provide an e-mail address when signing the online document. If you know anyone who does not have access to a computer they can sign a paper version of the petition, which can be found at the reception at the Leicester Mercury offices, in St George Street, Leicester. • Read more on the discovery of *Richard III's remains in a Leicester car park.* Reported by This is 8 hours ago.
The Mercury's campaign to keep Richard III in the city where he was buried more than 500 years ago has helped stir people's passions forthe last Plantagenet king.
More than 4,000 people have backed the petition in the past week alone.
Although the ill-fated monarch was originally buried in Leicester – and despite a Ministry of Justice licence stating the remains will be reinterred here – the king's ultimate resting place is the subject of a legal battle.
Our campaign hopes to help to defeat a legal challenge by a group called the Plantagenet Alliance and see the king buried in Leicester Cathedral.
We asked people involved in the Richard III project, as well as some members of the public, for their views.
*Supporters come out fighting to have Richard III erinterred in Leicester * *Sir Peter Soulsby, mayor of Leicester* "The cathedral is part of our city, where Richard was buried, and county, where he died. There can be no argument that he should be buried anywhere else" *The Rt Rev Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester* "The cathedral is committed to reinterring the remains of King Richard III with dignity and respect and the work going on, in and around the cathedral, will make sure that happens. "Leicester has been home to the grave of the king for more than 500 years and I see no reason why that should change" *Jennifer, Lady Gretton, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire* "I'm involved in the project, only in the capacity of being the Queen's representative. My views are the same as most, I suppose – he died in the county and was buried in the city and the case for reinterring him in the same parish is overwhelming" *Professor Sir Bob Burgess, Chancellor of the University of Leicester* "I believe about developing the city and the region as a part of English history. The discovery that has been made is central for the future of Leicester in terms of tourism and historic legacy" *Stephen Barney, of the Leicester Diocesan board of finance* "It goes without saying that the opportunity for the city and county is a game changer – it could change the face of Leicester forever." *Richard Buckley, archaeologist on the Greyfriars dig* "I still think reinterring Richard here in Leicester is absolutely the right thing to do. I'm a born and bred Leicester lad but, even if I wasn't, I'd still support Leicester's claim simply because it's consistent with the best archaeological and religious practices." *The Very Rev David Monteith of Leicester* "Plans are in place for a brand new setting for the cathedral and Richard's tomb – we are altering the surrounds to make it a real destination for visitors to pay their respects to the king." *Nick Rushton, county council leader* "Richard died in the county and was buried in the city and there is no question about where his remains should be laid to rest. We've got a real king and we've had him for more than 500 years - unlike places like Nottingham which only has a fable." *Emma Wigley, project assistant Aylestone* "He was buried in Greyfriars, in the city, and reburying him at the cathedral is a testament to the friars who risked treason to bury his body." *Sam Caudwellworker, voluntary worker Sheffield* "I think he should be buried here, it seems to be right to keep him in the parish. Also, I think he'd be special here. He wouldn't have the same exclusivity in York." *Krzysztof Sawicki, apprentice, Sheffield* "I think he should be buried here. It would be good for tourism, but it's also the right thing to do. The benefits for the city are big, but I think Leicester would be a dignified and respectful burial place for the king." *Stuart Tipping, near Preston* "I think he should remain here without a shadow of a doubt. It was a miracle that they found him and we've come here especially to see what all the fuss is about. We never realised Leicester was such a beautiful city." *Margaret Tipping, retired, Longton, near Preston* "I'm not an official member of the Richard III Society, but I definitely have a soft spot for him. Now we've come here to Leicester and seen the cathedral and beautiful city, I definitely think he would have the perfect burial here."
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*GET INVOLVED: How to show your support* To show your support for the Mercury's campaign sign the petition here: *epetitions.direct.gov.uk* It takes just a few minutes and readers will need to provide an e-mail address when signing the online document. If you know anyone who does not have access to a computer they can sign a paper version of the petition, which can be found at the reception at the Leicester Mercury offices, in St George Street, Leicester. • Read more on the discovery of *Richard III's remains in a Leicester car park.* Reported by This is 8 hours ago.