Skeleton of Richard III may have been found

[Hum]

Archaeologists may have uncovered the skeleton of the lost English king Richard III. But if they have, what should be done with the remains?

That question is causing contention among Richard III enthusiasts, according to a new report in the Wall Street Journal. The University of Leicester, which is overseeing the excavation and analysis of the remains, has jurisdiction over the remains, but various societies dedicated to the king have their own opinions.

Two groups, the U.S.-based Richard III Foundation and the Society of Friends of Richard III based in York, England, argue that the remains should be reburied in York, because Richard III was fond of that city, the Journal reported. The Richard III Society, which has been involved with the archaeological dig in Leicester that uncovered the remains, is officially neutral ? a stance which itself has triggered anger.

"The lack of respect that's been shown to his remains has grated our membership," Joe Ann Ricca, founder and president of the Richard III Foundation, told the Wall Street Journal.

Richard III ruled from 1483 to 1485. He died in battle at Bosworth Field in the War of the Roses, and English civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York. After his death, Richard III's body was brought to Leicester and buried at Greyfriars Church. A century later, Shakespeare wrote "Richard III," a play fictionalizing the dead king's life.

The location of both the Greyfriars church and Richard III's grave were eventually lost to history. In August 2012, however, University of Leicester archaeologists began excavating a city council parking lot in Leicester, under which the remains of the Greyfriars church were thought to be.

Soon, the archaeologists unearthed floor tiles, window frames and other remnants of the medieval church. In less than a month, the team found a battle-bruised skeleton with signs of trauma to the skull and an arrowhead lodged in the spine, consistent with Richard III's cause of death.

The skeleton also had scoliosis, or an abnormally curved spine, consistent with contemporary accounts of Richard III's appearance.

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[DocM]

Send him where he expressed a fondness: York.

[Growled Member]

Why can't they let him rest in peace?

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Send him to Nevada with the London Bridge. It would make a great tourist attraction along with the bridge.

[Hum]

Maybe they could clone Richard from his bones -- see what he looked like.

[Original Poster]

he is dead ... who cares.... everyone places skeletons in muesems just because they are old and dont have a name... why should he be any different?

[DocM]

Because this skeleton has a name, and a major historical one at that.

By your logic maybe we should dig up Edgar Allen Poe and display him in the Library of Congress.

[The Evil Overlord]

I doubt it's him, not if BlackAdder is factual :p

[Hum]

King's skull found under parking lot in England

Researchers said there is a 'highly conclusive case' that the battle-damaged remains found in a Leicester car park belonged to the 15th-century monarch.

Scientists today revealed that a skeleton discovered under a car park in Leicester is that of King Richard III.

Researchers sensationally discovered a skull under the social services car park in September while hunting for the former king's final resting place.

They had previously said there was 'strong circumstantial evidence' to suggest the bones are those of the 15th-century monarch, but experts were finally able to disclose the results of much-anticipated tests on the remains today.

The skeleton had a metal arrowhead lodged in its spine, along with other injuries matching those which Richard III sustained when he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

The remains also had signs of 'battle trauma' and scoliosis - the spinal condition which gave the medieval monarch his infamous hunched back.

Richard III was the last English monarch to die in battle, after being defeated by an army led by Henry Tudor.

Historical records state that his body was taken 15 miles to Leicester, where it was displayed as proof of his death before then being buried in the Franciscan friary.

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[Growled Member]

Yeah, they seem very convinced it is him now. All the evidence does seem to fit.

[Hum]

Not a very kingly end.

[Growled Member]

^ No, but not many people get a choice on how they go.

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

Maybe they could clone Richard from his bones -- see what he looked like.

That's what he looked like, they reconstructed his face from his skull and he looks very like the paintings.

[Denis W. Veteran]

According to local media, they confirmed the findings after testing the DNA of a direct descendent of Edward's sister:

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2013/02/04/england-king-richard-remains-identified.html

[Hum]

^ Maybe he should run for President or something.