RICHARD III has been reinterred in Leicester in a ceremony that feels as if it has lasted longer than the 25 tumultuous months he spent on the throne in the late 15th Century.

Reviled by some and revered by others, Richard III’s connection with our part of the world is often forgotten, but this was his heartland and where his popularity endured even as Shakespeare besmirched his reputation.

Here are 14 of Richard III’s connections to North Yorkshire and south Durham:

Richard III’s mother was Cecily Neville, “the Rose of Raby” who was born in Raby Castle, near Staindrop, in 1415. She married at the age of 14 to Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York, and had 12 children in 13 years. Her eldest son became Edward IV; her youngest was Richard III.

Aged nine, Richard was sent to live with his cousin, “Warwick the Kingmaker”, in Middleham Castle in Wensleydale. He probably remained there until he was 16.

In 1471, Richard’s brother, Edward, became king. He appointed 19-year-old Richard to rule in the north, based in Middleham, on his behalf.

Richard ruled the north honourably, settling disputes wisely. He gained a good reputation – perhaps assisted by his grand feasting: some days, 30,000 people were entertained within Middleham Castle.

Richard’s emblem was a white boar, which he may have chosen as a pun based on the Roman name for York, E-bor-acum.

In 1472, Richard married Anne Neville, the daughter of Warwick. She was a 15-year-old widow, who was his cousin and his sister-in-law.

Through Anne, Richard acquired Barnard Castle. He was fond of the town, and spent much money improving the castle and the church. The town was fond of him – four buildings still bear boars on their stonework, and a boar sits on top of the town’s coat-of-arms.

On February 18, 1478, Richard’s brother, George, who owned Richmond Castle, was executed for treason in the Tower of London – he was drowned in a butt of malmsey wine, from Greece. Richard inherited Richmond, and so owned all Richmondshire.

In 1479, Edward IV granted Middleham permission to hold a twice-yearly fair and market. In gratitude to the role Richard had played in gaining this honour, the Swine Cross – named after Richard’s boar – was erected.

On August 24, 1482, Richard captured Berwick from the Scots – his most lasting achievement.

In 1483 Edward IV died unexpectedly, leaving the crown to his 12-year-old son, Edward V. Richard swept from Middleham to London, ostensibly to help the young king. He put Edward V and his younger brother in the Tower of London for safe-keeping, where they were “looked after” by the Constable of the Tower, Sir Robert Brackenbury, of Sellaby Hall, near Gainford.

It is said that Richard ordered Sir Robert to murder the princes, and the murder party was led by Miles Forest, the Keeper of the King’s Wardrobe, from Barnard Castle. Miles smothered the boys with their bedsheets, and Richard rewarded him by giving him the oldest house in Barnard Castle: Blagraves, on The Bank.

Richard is believed to have wanted to be buried in York Minster. He was planning to build a chantry near the minster so 100 priests could continuously say prayers for his soul.

Instead, Richard died at the Battle of Bosworth on August 22, 1455, when his horse got stuck in the mud. Many of the knights who remained with him till the end were from his heartland, where he remained popular for years to come. One chronicler said that “the memory of King Richard was so strong that it lay like lees in the bottom of men's hearts, and if the vessel was but stirred it would come up”.