The story of Richard III, the final English king to die in battle, is one of the most captivating and contentious in history. His skeleton was discovered under a parking lot in Leicester in 2012, and since then, researchers have uncovered numerous revelations and insights about his life, demise, and lasting impact.
One of the most surprising findings was that Richard III was not hunchbacked, as he was portrayed by Shakespeare and later artists. Instead, he had severe scoliosis that would have made his right shoulder higher than his left. However, this did not affect his ability to fight or ride a horse, as some historians have suggested.
Another revelation was that Richard III had a rare genetic trait that made him more likely to be left-handed and have a higher risk of schizophrenia. He also had blue eyes and blond hair in childhood, contrary to the dark-haired and steely-eyed image that was painted after his death. His DNA also showed that he had a break in his paternal line, suggesting that one of his ancestors was illegitimate.
Richard III died from multiple blows to the head, some of which may have been inflicted after he was dead as a sign of humiliation. He was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, where he faced his rival Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII and founded the Tudor dynasty. Richard III’s body was taken to Leicester and buried in a friary, which was later demolished and paved over.
Richard III’s remains will be reburied in Leicester Cathedral on March 26, 2023, after a week of ceremonies and events to commemorate his life and legacy. The reburial will be attended by dignitaries, celebrities, and descendants of Richard III, including Michael Ibsen, a Canadian cabinet maker who is a direct descendant of Richard III’s sister Anne of York.
The discovery of Richard III’s skeleton was hailed as an astonishing achievement and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about one of England’s most controversial kings.
Dr. Turi King, project geneticist from the University of Leicester, said: “We have carried out literally thousands of analyses on him. It’s been an incredibly extensive analysis. It’s been the most extensive analysis ever done on an individual from history.”
The Very Reverend David Monteith, Dean of Leicester, said: “The last English king to die in battle deserves a dignified reburial. We are proud that he will be reinterred here in Leicester Cathedral.”
Relevant articles:
- Richard III: Five things we’ve learned since he was found, CNN, March 23, 2015
- Richard III’s DNA throws up infidelity surprise, BBC News, December 2, 2020
- Richard III’s remains to be reburied in Leicester Cathedral, The Guardian, August 23, 2023
- Richard III’s final resting place revealed in new images, The Telegraph, August 28, 2023