King Richard III found

4th February 2013

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The Remains of King Richard III

          The University of Leicester and Leicester City Council, in association with the Richard III Society, announced on 24 August 2012 they have probably found the remains of King Richard. Originally instigated by Philippa Langley of the Society's Looking for Richard Project and led by University of Leicester Archaeological Services, experts set out to locate the lost site of the former Greyfriars Chruch, and to discover the remains of the king. This place was supposed to be where richard's body was buried without pomp in 1485. And nowdays there's a carpark over the church which was demolished during Henry VIII's reign.

          On 12 September it was announced that the skeleton discovered during the search might be that of Richard III. Several reasons were given: 

• The body was of an adult male
•  It was buried beneath the choir of the church
• There was severe scoliosis of the spine, possibly making one shoulder higher than the other. Additionally, there was an object that appeared to be an arrowhead embedded in the spine
• There were perimortem injuries to the skull. These included a relatively shallow orifice, most likely caused by a rondel dagger and a scooping depression to the skull, inflicted by a bladed weapon. 

          Additionally, the bottom of the skull presented a gaping hole, where a halberd had cut away and entered it. Forensic pathologist, Dr Stuart Hamilton stated that this injury would have left the King's brain visible and most certainly have been the cause of death. Dr Jo Appleby, the osteoarchaeologist who excavated the skeleton, concurred and described the latter as "a mortal battlefield wound in the back of the skull". In total, the skeleton presented 10 wounds.

          A descendant of Anne of York, Richard's elder sister, made by John Ashdown, helped them to identify King Richard III. And today, the University of Leicester confirmed that the skeleton was beyond reasonable doubt that of King Richard III. This conclusion was based on mitochondrial DNA evidence, soil analysis, and dental tests, as well as physical characteristics of the skeleton which are highly consistent with contemporary accounts of Richard's appearance. The team announced that the "arrowhead" discovered with the body was a Roman-era nail, probably disturbed when the body was first interred.

          The proposal to have King Richard buried in Leicester has attracted some controversy. Those who have challenged the decision include fifteen 'collateral [non-direct] descendants' of Richard, represented by the Plantagenet Alliance, who believe that the body should be reburied in York, as they claim the king wished.

Which burial would you choose for him?

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