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Richard III's remains: Leicester car park dug up | Richard III's remains: Leicester car park dug up |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A bid to find the remains of England's King Richard III is starting more than 500 years after his death on a Leicestershire battlefield. | A bid to find the remains of England's King Richard III is starting more than 500 years after his death on a Leicestershire battlefield. |
The University of Leicester archaeological team is digging in a Leicester car park where they think he may have been buried. | The University of Leicester archaeological team is digging in a Leicester car park where they think he may have been buried. |
King Richard III was killed at Bosworth in 1485 and his body taken to a Franciscan Friary in the city. | King Richard III was killed at Bosworth in 1485 and his body taken to a Franciscan Friary in the city. |
Over time, the exact location of the grave has been lost. | Over time, the exact location of the grave has been lost. |
The project team said their work is "the first ever search for the lost grave of an anointed King of England". | The project team said their work is "the first ever search for the lost grave of an anointed King of England". |
'Long shot' | 'Long shot' |
Richard III was crowned at Westminster Abbey in July 1483 and died in August 1485 fighting his enemies led by Henry Tudor. | Richard III was crowned at Westminster Abbey in July 1483 and died in August 1485 fighting his enemies led by Henry Tudor. |
He was the last English king to be killed in battle and the last Plantagenet king. He was followed by the Tudor kings Henry VII and Henry VIII. | He was the last English king to be killed in battle and the last Plantagenet king. He was followed by the Tudor kings Henry VII and Henry VIII. |
Richard Buckley, of the University of Leicester archaeology service, said: "The big question for us is determining the whereabouts of the church on the site and also where in the church the body was buried. | Richard Buckley, of the University of Leicester archaeology service, said: "The big question for us is determining the whereabouts of the church on the site and also where in the church the body was buried. |
"Although in many ways finding the remains of the king is a long shot, it is a challenge we shall undertake enthusiastically," Mr Buckley said. | |
The team will use ground-penetrating radar to help find the best places to dig. | |
Philippa Langley, of the Richard III Society, said: "Richard III is a charismatic figure who attracts tremendous interest. | Philippa Langley, of the Richard III Society, said: "Richard III is a charismatic figure who attracts tremendous interest. |
"Partly because he has been so much maligned in past centuries, and partly because he occupies a pivotal place in English history. | "Partly because he has been so much maligned in past centuries, and partly because he occupies a pivotal place in English history. |
"Unlikely stories were spread of Richard's bones being dug up and thrown into the River Soar. Other fables, equally discredited, claimed that his coffin was used as a horse trough." | |
University of Leicester spokesman Richard Taylor said: "If remains are found that are suspected to be those of Richard III, they will be subject to DNA analysis at the University of Leicester where DNA fingerprinting was originally discovered." | University of Leicester spokesman Richard Taylor said: "If remains are found that are suspected to be those of Richard III, they will be subject to DNA analysis at the University of Leicester where DNA fingerprinting was originally discovered." |
If the royal remains are found, they will be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral, a team spokesman said. | If the royal remains are found, they will be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral, a team spokesman said. |
Councillor Piara Singh Clair, of Leicester City Council, said: "Richard III is a key figure in the region's history. This is an exciting opportunity potentially to discover a missing piece of our historical jigsaw." | Councillor Piara Singh Clair, of Leicester City Council, said: "Richard III is a key figure in the region's history. This is an exciting opportunity potentially to discover a missing piece of our historical jigsaw." |
A Canadian man directly linked to Richard III by DNA evidence will attend the opening day of the dig. | A Canadian man directly linked to Richard III by DNA evidence will attend the opening day of the dig. |
No public access will be allowed to the dig site, a city council spokesman said. | No public access will be allowed to the dig site, a city council spokesman said. |