Richard III

[Catherineanne]

Leicester University has found the remains of Richard III under a carpark in Leicester, exactly where history says he was buried; next to the choir of a church site. My d and I just watched the press conference online.

How exciting is that?

He will be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral next year.

 

[Genersis]

Pretty cool.

 

[Catherineanne]

Pretty cool.

It is, really.

There was a story that the body had been dug up and thrown in the river, but this turns out not to be true. It was where it was originally buried, in a church that was later demolished, and a carpark built on top. There is curvature of the spine, but no withered arm. And there are lots of injuries, likely to be both pre and post mortem.

He was found exactly where he was buried originally. The identity has been proven by DNA evidence from several lines of his existing family descendants. There is a programme on Channel 4 at 9pm.

 

[Genersis]

I must admit; i'm not that invested in it.

I find it surprising that it was found where it was originally burred. It just seemed unlikely.

 

[Catherineanne]

I must admit; i'm not that invested in it.

I find it surprising that it was found where it was originally burred. It just seemed unlikely.

It was buried inside a church. The church site was lost, so the body was lost.

There was a story that the body was taken out of its grave and thrown into the river, but whoever it was that this happened to, it seems not to have been Richard.

I think if you watch the programme you might end up as interested as my d and I are. Or maybe not.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9845618/Scientists-this-is-Richard-III.html

 

[David Brider]

I'm never sure why, but I find Richard III (what admittedly little I know about him) rather fascinating, and will be watching tonight's documentary with interest.

 

[lismore]

His descendants perhaps have a claim to the throne IMO!

 

[Catherineanne]

Sadly not. For one thing, they are not direct descendants, but related to one of his progenitors. And as no doubt you know, estimates say that up to one third of the population of the UK is related to royalty in some way. : )

Great discovery, great press conference, terrible, terrible documentary. Channel 4 should be ashamed of themselves. If the research were as bad as the documentary, the whole 'finding' would be in great doubt by now. Fortunately, it seems to be clear cut.

 

[Coton Boy]

York is now arguing that he should be buried there as he was Richard of York after all.

 

[David Brider]

Sadly not. For one thing, they are not direct descendants, but related to one of his progenitors. And as no doubt you know, estimates say that up to one third of the population of the UK is related to royalty in some way. : )

Great discovery, great press conference, terrible, terrible documentary. Channel 4 should be ashamed of themselves. If the research were as bad as the documentary, the whole 'finding' would be in great doubt by now. Fortunately, it seems to be clear cut.

There were some interesting bits (like when the presenter, whose name I've forgotten but I was entertained to learn that he's a member of the Horrible Histories team) went to Middleham. Sadly, the lady who was responsible for the dig seemed a little over emotional, embarrassingly so in places.

I'm still quite fond of Tony Robinson's documentary about Richard III from, oh, about 10 years ago, part of the Fact or Fiction series. One that still merits a rewatch from time to time... Also the Doctor Who audio The Kingmaker, which...let's just say, what it lacks in historical accuracy, it makes up for in being an entertaining piece of speculation on what might have happened to the princes in the tower...

And somewhere, I've got Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour waiting for me to get round to reading...

Oh, and speaking of Horrible Histories...

Horrible Histories - Richard III Song - YouTube

 

[David Brider]

York is now arguing that he should be buried there as he was Richard of York after all.

Hmm, I can see their point. Mind you, he was Duke of Gloucester - maybe he should be buried there?

 

[Catherineanne]

York is now arguing that he should be buried there as he was Richard of York after all.

I think they are a shade too late. Plans for the interment at Leicester are already made, and the tomb has even been designed, I think by the rather emotional lady on the programme yesterday. Lord knows what it will look like!

According to UK law if a body is dug up it has to be reinterred in the nearest consecrated ground, and in this case that means Leicester Cathedral, which is very close to the site of the original burial. This was arranged long before they even found the body, so I think any other places now wanting to change it would have a problem. The only possible candidate could be Westminster Abbey, alongside other kings and queens, but I think even that is unlikely.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

I need to watch the show again on 4OD. I went to watch it on the night but my sister rang and talked pretty much all the way through.

But I thought you guys would like the following. It's currently doing the rounds on FB.

 

[Catherineanne]

I need to watch the show again on 4OD. I went to watch it on the night but my sister rang and talked pretty much all the way through.

But I thought you guys would like the following. It's currently doing the rounds on FB.

Good picture!! Lol!!

 

[Catherineanne]

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

LOL!

 

[David Brider]

I really hope that sign's genuine. Anybody fancy taking a trip to Leicester to find out..?

 

[Catherineanne]

I really hope that sign's genuine. Anybody fancy taking a trip to Leicester to find out..?

Sadly, I fear it is photoshopped. But it ought to be genuine.

 

[All Englands Skies]

I really hope that sign's genuine. Anybody fancy taking a trip to Leicester to find out..?

I live in Leicester and those signs are all over the place!

Also up in Melton, there are signs about how its illegal to carry non-Melton made pork pies.

 

[apocalypto]

The House of York forever.

Down with the Welsh and the Kraut Kings.