When the remains of a skeleton were discovered under a council car park in Leicester foul play was not suspected. Not recent foul play that is. The skeleton was belived to be that on King Richard III of England.
Monday the news is that archaeologists and scientists have concluded that, "beyond reasonable doubt", the skeleton is of King Richard. It solves a 500-year-old mystery as to the whereabouts of King Richard's grave.
In Britain and beyond many people with little knowledge of English History know the name of Richard the Third. In Shakespeare he is the evil uncle locking the two young princes in the Tower of London. His final words 'my horse, my horse, my kingdom for a horse', may be a misquote but they are famous. A small man with a reportedly crooked spine the skeleton has Richard's fanous features.
An announcement about the skeleton's identitiy, made at the University of Leicester, received rapturous applause. The story of the discovery of the bones made world headlines.
A planned three-week dig at what was believed to be the site of the choir of Greyfriars Church, led to the discovery. The skeleton was unearthed on the first day of the dig, exciting archaeologits working there and others further afield.
Modern science has played a crucial part in identifying the skeleton. Yes historical data was used to support the claim but DNA was essential. Michael Ibsen, a Canadian-born furniture maker was the DNA link. He is a direct descendant of Richard's sister, Anne of York. provided further certainty.
Monday the news is that archaeologists and scientists have concluded that, "beyond reasonable doubt", the skeleton is of King Richard. It solves a 500-year-old mystery as to the whereabouts of King Richard's grave.
In Britain and beyond many people with little knowledge of English History know the name of Richard the Third. In Shakespeare he is the evil uncle locking the two young princes in the Tower of London. His final words 'my horse, my horse, my kingdom for a horse', may be a misquote but they are famous. A small man with a reportedly crooked spine the skeleton has Richard's fanous features.
An announcement about the skeleton's identitiy, made at the University of Leicester, received rapturous applause. The story of the discovery of the bones made world headlines.
A planned three-week dig at what was believed to be the site of the choir of Greyfriars Church, led to the discovery. The skeleton was unearthed on the first day of the dig, exciting archaeologits working there and others further afield.
Modern science has played a crucial part in identifying the skeleton. Yes historical data was used to support the claim but DNA was essential. Michael Ibsen, a Canadian-born furniture maker was the DNA link. He is a direct descendant of Richard's sister, Anne of York. provided further certainty.
Dr Turi King, the project geneticist, said: "There is a DNA match between the maternal DNA from the descendents of the family of Richard III and the skeletal remains we found at the Greyfriars dig. In short, the DNA evidence points to these being the remains of Richard III." reports SkyNews.
History has not been kind to King Richard III. He was maligned by the Tudors after he was defeated in battle by Henry VII. Now some believe that was just 'bad propoganda' of the day.
In UK rhyming slang a Richard the Third is perhaps telling!
More on Richard III and the skeleton here.
In UK rhyming slang a Richard the Third is perhaps telling!
More on Richard III and the skeleton here.
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