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King Richard III killed by skull and pelvis injuries | King Richard III killed by skull and pelvis injuries |
(about 7 hours later) | |
King Richard III was most likely to have been killed by two blows to the head and one to his pelvis, according to new scientific research. | King Richard III was most likely to have been killed by two blows to the head and one to his pelvis, according to new scientific research. |
The English king was killed at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August, 1485. | The English king was killed at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August, 1485. |
Forensic teams at the University of Leicester have now revealed he suffered 11 injuries before his death, three of which may have been fatal. | Forensic teams at the University of Leicester have now revealed he suffered 11 injuries before his death, three of which may have been fatal. |
Modern techniques were used on his 500-year-old skeleton to determine his injuries and the medieval weapons used. | Modern techniques were used on his 500-year-old skeleton to determine his injuries and the medieval weapons used. |
His remains were found under a car park in Leicester in 2012. | His remains were found under a car park in Leicester in 2012. |
The results of forensic analysis, published in The Lancet, have now shown he sustained nine wounds to the skull and two to the postcranial skeleton. | The results of forensic analysis, published in The Lancet, have now shown he sustained nine wounds to the skull and two to the postcranial skeleton. |
Researchers said three of these "had the potential to cause death quickly". | Researchers said three of these "had the potential to cause death quickly". |
Sarah Hainsworth, study author and professor of materials engineering, said: "Richard's injuries represent a sustained attack or an attack by several assailants with weapons from the later medieval period. | Sarah Hainsworth, study author and professor of materials engineering, said: "Richard's injuries represent a sustained attack or an attack by several assailants with weapons from the later medieval period. |
"Wounds to the skull suggest he was not wearing a helmet, and the absence of defensive wounds on his arms and hands indicate he was still armoured at the time of his death." | "Wounds to the skull suggest he was not wearing a helmet, and the absence of defensive wounds on his arms and hands indicate he was still armoured at the time of his death." |
Investigators said they believed the postcranial injuries, including one to the pelvis, might have been inflicted after Richard's death, as his armour would have protected him had he been alive. | Investigators said they believed the postcranial injuries, including one to the pelvis, might have been inflicted after Richard's death, as his armour would have protected him had he been alive. |
Who was Richard III? | |
Guy Rutty, from the East Midlands pathology unit, said the two fatal injuries to the skull were likely to have been caused by a sword, a staff weapon such as halberd or bill, or the tip of an edged weapon. | Guy Rutty, from the East Midlands pathology unit, said the two fatal injuries to the skull were likely to have been caused by a sword, a staff weapon such as halberd or bill, or the tip of an edged weapon. |
He said: "Richard's head injuries are consistent with some near-contemporary accounts of the battle, which suggest Richard abandoned his horse after it became stuck in a mire and was killed while fighting his enemies." | He said: "Richard's head injuries are consistent with some near-contemporary accounts of the battle, which suggest Richard abandoned his horse after it became stuck in a mire and was killed while fighting his enemies." |
King Richard's skeleton is due to be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral in March. | King Richard's skeleton is due to be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral in March. |