We Have Richard III

University of Leicester confirms in press conference this morning that the remains found in the Leicester car park are indeed those of Richard III.

More about this on the news and at the links below:

http://www.le.ac.uk/richardiii/


http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-02-04/meet-philippa-langley-the-woman-who-discovered-richard-iii-in-a-car-park#.UQ-gKf0y_qs.twitter

Will we hear from Richard Armitage this week on BBC Radio Leicester about this amazing discovery of Richard III in Leicester? Will we hear from him about a future program/series about Richard III and his interest in starring in, or producing, such a program/series? We hope we will. 

Petition for “Richard III”

For several years, Richard Armitage, the famous British actor and star of “North and South,” “Robin Hood,” “Spooks,” “Strike Back,” and the upcoming “The Hobbit” films has been seeking financing to make a film or television series exploring a more historically accurate portrayal of King Richard III of England.

Please support Richard Armitage’s effort by signing this petition and encouraging potential financiers and production investors to support the “Richard III” project.

 Petition at the link below:

http://kingrichardarmitage.rgcwp.com/petition-for-richard-iii/



Update and More information from the University of Leicester Press Office - Thanks to KRA:

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER ANNOUNCES DISCOVERY OF 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

The University of Leicester, in association with Leicester City Council and the Richard III Society, led the Search for Richard III.

The Search for Richard III is also the subject of a Channel 4 documentary made by Darlow Smithson Productions.

The documentary makers had exclusive access to the search team during the archaeological dig and during the scientific tests to determine the skeleton’s identity.

Their documentary, Richard III: King in the Car Park, can be seen at 9pm on Channel 4 today (Monday, February 4).

More information about Channel 4’s Richard III: King in the Car Park documentary can be found at:http://www.channel4.com/programmes/richard-iii-the-king-in-the-car-park/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1

The public can find more information about the University of Leicester’s Search for Richard III at:www.le.ac.uk/richardiii

Ends

Facial Reconstruction of Richard III (University of Leicester - February 5, 2013)

Resemblance with Richard Armitage? I think so, do you?

Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne

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Interesting post from the academic point of view: 

Popularizing Archaeology: Richard III and Archaeological Theater  by Paul Mullins:

http://paulmullins.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/popularizing-archaeology-richard-iii-and-archaeological-theater/

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