Richard III -- king in a car park

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In summary, the archaeologists have found evidence that suggests that King Richard III was killed in battle and his skeleton shows signs of scoliosis.
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arildno
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Here is the latest report of the archaeologists who have examined the recently discovered skeleton in Leicester, which most likely is the remains of Richard III:
http://antiquity.ac.uk/Ant/087/0519/ant0870519.pdf
 
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Thank you, arildno! That is a very informative study. I am not well-versed in English history, but Richard III is such an interesting character...
 
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King Richard III's Final Moments Were Quick & Brutal
http://news.yahoo.com/king-richard-iiis-final-moments-were-quick-brutal-231734860.html

The last king of the Plantagenet dynasty faced his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field on Aug. 22, 1485, only two years after ascending the throne. The battle was the deciding clash in the long-running Wars of the Roses, . . . .

The initial analysis of Richard III's skeleton highlighted the king's scoliosis and battle scars, including at least eight wounds on the skull. In the new postmortem, detailed today (Sept. 16) in the medical journal The Lancet, scientists took a deeper look, recording 11 injuries on Richard's skeleton that occurred around the time of death, including nine injuries to the skull.
Ouch!

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-21245346
 
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PBS has dedicated an episode of their series Secrets of the Dead to an exploration of how Richard's severe scoliosis might have affected his ability to participate in battle. A currently living young man whose scoliosis closely matches Richard's (as determined from Richard's actual skeleton, now available for examination) was suited up in medieval armor and trained to fight on horseback and with the sword to see if he could duplicate the battle feats ascribed to Richard. Well worth watching for history and Shakespeare buffs.
 
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Here http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-30216824 latest news on this.

Looks like they don't do royal tombs like they used to, this is hardly fit for a king IMHO.

Custody of the bones have been as hotly contended as any medieval holy relic - I think the City of Leicester is rather desperate to have it as an attraction for visitors.

It is not outstandingly well known for any others. ;)
 
  • #6
zoobyshoe said:
PBS has dedicated an episode of their series Secrets of the Dead to an exploration of how Richard's severe scoliosis might have affected his ability to participate in battle. A currently living young man whose scoliosis closely matches Richard's (as determined from Richard's actual skeleton, now available for examination) was suited up in medieval armor and trained to fight on horseback and with the sword to see if he could duplicate the battle feats ascribed to Richard. Well worth watching for history and Shakespeare buffs.
I saw that, seems the armour and the wooden saddle were ideal for someone with Richard's condition. Very interesting.
 
  • #7
zoobyshoe said:
A currently living young man whose scoliosis closely matches Richard's (as determined from Richard's actual skeleton, now available for examination) was suited up in medieval armor and trained to fight on horseback and with the sword to see if he could duplicate the battle feats ascribed to Richard. Well worth watching for history and Shakespeare buffs.

That sounds like a reality show. Answers want ad for "spine curved just like this", the sad goodybyes to his fellow Tesco workers, numerous failures and breakdowns as he questions his desire and ability to be a knight, inspiration, montage, and finally a hell of a lot of cleanly sliced melons.
 

What was the significance of finding Richard III's remains in a car park?

Finding Richard III's remains in a car park was significant because it finally put an end to the mystery surrounding his final resting place. His burial site had been unknown for centuries, and the discovery provided valuable insight into his life and death.

How did scientists positively identify the remains as those of Richard III?

The remains were positively identified through a combination of DNA testing, skeletal analysis, and historical evidence. The DNA of the remains was compared to that of living descendants of Richard III's family, and a match was found. The skeletal analysis also showed evidence of the injuries he sustained in battle, which matched historical accounts of his death.

Why was Richard III's body found in a car park?

Richard III's body was found in a car park because it was believed to be the location of the Greyfriars church, where he was originally buried. Over time, the church was demolished and the exact location of his grave was lost. The car park was built on top of the former church site, and his remains were discovered during an excavation.

What new information did scientists learn about Richard III from his remains?

From his remains, scientists were able to learn more about Richard III's physical appearance, health, and cause of death. They discovered that he suffered from scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and that he sustained several injuries in battle, including a fatal blow to the head. This information provided a more complete understanding of his life and reign.

How has the discovery of Richard III's remains impacted our understanding of history?

The discovery of Richard III's remains has challenged previous historical accounts and shed new light on his character and legacy. It has also sparked renewed interest in the study of medieval England and the Wars of the Roses. Additionally, the scientific techniques used in the identification process have set a precedent for future archaeological discoveries and studies of historical figures.

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