Missing The Point: Polly Toynbee Should Look Again
Polly Toynbee speaks at the October 2005 Labour Party conference (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Polly Toynbee for the Guardian has come out with guns blazing over the reinterment and funeral of King Richard III. She calls the events of the past week “absurd” and alludes to the forthcoming letters written by Prince Charles to government ministers as a way of releasing anger over monarchy in general. But I believe Ms. Toynbee is missing the point of this epic week.
Richard III is described by her as “a monster”, and his legacy has been recorded as treacherous, but to focus only on these things is blinding oneself to the enormity of what has happened over the past two years. Despite what you may feel about the king, history that had been made in one era has come alive again in ours. Think of Michael Ibsen: thanks to modern technology he now knows to whom he is related and even got to participate in his ancestor’s world. How often does that happen?
Rather than these Cromwellian overtures about the evils of monarchy, why not enjoy the discovery of Richard III for what it is – humanity coming face to face with something that has been lost for centuries. A great historical puzzle has been solved. Scientists and laymen alike were able to participate in something truly life-changing.
Open your eyes, Ms. Toynbee, and see the remarkable things that have happened in your lifetime.
The post Missing The Point: Polly Toynbee Should Look Again appeared first on The Royal Representative.
