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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. "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. 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." "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.