[1][2] In 2012, the society gain worldwide attraction due to its role in the finding of King Richard's remains.

The society was founded in 1924 by Liverpool surgeon Samuel Saxon Barton (1892-1957) as The Fellowship of the White Boar, Richard's badge and a symbol of the Yorkist army in the Wars of the Roses.

Its membership was originally a small group of interested amateur historians whose aim was to bring about a re-assessment of the reputation of Richard III.

Langley and Ricardian historian John Ashdown-Hill were awarded the MBE in recognition of their services to "the Exhumation and Identification of Richard III" (London Gazette) in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours.

In 2022 the story of Philippa Langley and the rediscovery of Richard III’s remains were made into the feature film The Lost King directed by Stephen Frears.