Monday, February 4, 2013

The remains of King Richard III Have Been Found and Identity Confirmed

It took you long enough!  David Garrick as King Richard III painted by William Hogarth, 1745







Just a bit of fun! I just wanted to post a few links and information from University of Leicester regarding the confirmation of King Richard III's body being the man himself!  Everyone is talking about it and discussing it. So, I thought I would provide some
links and information from the organizations behind the findings. 

From the University of Leicester website, link to follow, here is the press release proving the rundown on King Richard III:

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER REVEALS:
• Wealth of evidence, including radiocarbon dating, radiological evidence, DNA and bone analysis and archaeological results, confirms identity of last Plantagenet king who died over 500 years ago
• DNA from skeleton matches TWO of Richard III’s maternal line relatives.  Leicester genealogist verifies living relatives of Richard III’s family
• Individual likely to have been killed by one of two fatal injuries to the skull – one possibly from a sword and one possibly from a halberd
• 10 wounds discovered on skeleton - Richard III killed by trauma to the back of the head.  Part of the skull sliced off
• Radiocarbon dating reveals individual had a high protein diet – including significant amounts of seafood – meaning he was likely to be of high status
• Radiocarbon dating reveals individual died in the second half of the 15th or in the early 16th century – consistent with Richard’s death in 1485
• Skeleton reveals severe scoliosis – onset believed to have occurred at the time of puberty
• Although around 5 feet 8 inches tall (1.72m), condition meant King Richard III would have stood significantly  shorter and his right shoulder may have been higher than the left
• Feet were truncated at an unknown point in the past, but a significant time after the burial
• Corpse was subjected to ‘humiliation injuries’ –including a sword through the right buttock
• Individual had unusually slender, almost feminine, build for a man – in keeping with contemporaneous accounts
• No evidence for ‘withered arm’ –as portrayed by Shakespeare – found
• Possibility that the individual’s hands were tied
• Grave was hastily dug, was not big enough and there was no shroud or coffin,  university of leicester

To watch a video from today's issue of The Telegraph explaining the process further, Telegraph video


The press release published today from The Richard III Society in a pdf link found here, Richard III Society

Airing today in the U.K. on their Channel Four will be a documentary called, 'The King in the Car Park' as soon as it uploads to YouTube, I will share the link on my Facebook page. 

Feel free to leave comments,

4 comments:

Kevin Marsh said...

What a great historical find. Its amazing what's out there, we just have to know where to look.

Regards

Kevin Marsh

Kimberly Eve said...

Hi Kevin, I know, I couldn't agree more! I love when discoveries like this occur. It's always exciting for us history lovers!

Kevin Marsh said...

I saw the TV program on the discovery of Richard III bones. I recorded it and watched it last night. What a great bit of archaeology, the program was fascinating from start to finish.

Kimberly Eve said...

Hi Kevin,
Perfect timing! I'm actually watching the doco now on Youtube. I found a link and posted it on my Facebook page. It's just wonderful and yes definitely fascinating.

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