EXTENSIVE refurbishment is complete at the Richard III Museum, at Monk Bar, York. "The museum now claims to offer as comprehensive a coverage of the controversial medieval monarch as is possible," says manager Michael S Bennett.

Among the several new displays is Our Only Truly English King?, an analysis of every Royal marriage since William the Conqueror. The exhibition produces an unexpected statistic: only one of our monarchs since 1066 was actually born in England and exclusively married someone else born here - none other than Richard III himself! "It's a curious finding but we've managed to prove it," says Michael.

He is equally pleased with a second new display, The Executions of 1483, which re-creates the six crucial executions ordered by Richard III that year. Meanwhile, visitors are able to confess their sins and be condemned to death by King Richard, before ascending to their fate at the block.

"We feel we are possibly the first leisure attraction ever to have the courage to condemn members of the public to death. It's proving very popular," says Michael.

Activities at the museum continue over the summer when Michael performs his regular show An Audience With King Richard III, in which the much-maligned king comes back from the dead in an attempt to rebuild his reputation.

"For those unfamiliar with the Richard III legend, the last Plantagenet king is generally perceived as a hunchback monster responsible for countless brutal murders," Michael says.

"Chief among these is the alleged murder of his two nephews, the so-called Princes in the Tower. It is for this crime, above all others, that history condemns Richard III, yet is there a possibility that Richard is simply the innocent victim of Tudor propaganda?"

Bennett's show is being performed at the museum for a fourth successive year and has been seen across the country. "I've lost count of how many times I've played King Richard but questioning conventional history will always be an enjoyable experience," Michael says.

An Audience With King Richard III can be seen in the Theatre Room, Richard III Museum, on July 20, 21, 27 and 28, then August 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. The admission price is £4 for adults, £3 students and seniors, £2 children; admission includes soft drinks but you also may bring your own alcoholic refreshment.

For bookings and more details, ring 01904 634191.