Richard the Third; the King in the car-park.

vandermolen · February 09, 2013, 05:21:34 AM

I wonder if anyone else here has been following this extraordinary story. King Richard's remains have been located under a car park in Leicester. There was a fascinating TV documentary entitled 'The King in the car park' on Channel 4 (UK). It is on their iPlayer but probably only available from the UK. Anyway, here is the news item:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-21292381

The DNA test indicated that the skeleton (complete with curvature of the spine) was indeed that of the (possibly undeservedly) infamous king, killed at Bosworth in 1485. An extraordinary archaelogical discovery.

Karl Henning · February 09, 2013, 06:16:22 AM

Wonderful story. Knew of it by the inevitable jokiness which would emerge on Facebook:

Coopmv · February 09, 2013, 10:29:21 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on February 09, 2013, 05:21:34 AM
I wonder if anyone else here has been following this extraordinary story. King Richard's remains have been located under a car park in Leicester. There was a fascinating TV documentary entitled 'The King in the car park' on Channel 4 (UK). It is on their iPlayer but probably only available from the UK. Anyway, here is the news item:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-21292381

The DNA test indicated that the skeleton (complete with curvature of the spine) was indeed that of the (possibly undeservedly) infamous king, killed at Bosworth in 1485. An extraordinary archaelogical discovery.

I have read an article that Shakespeare turned Richard III into a villain he really was not. But Shakespeare was no different than today businessmen - he had to sell his stories ...

Szykneij · February 09, 2013, 10:44:52 AM

Did they make him pay the "lost ticket" rate when they dug him up?

mahler10th · February 09, 2013, 11:03:12 AM

It is a real Castles and Battles story. Skeletons, swords and power. Here is a fascinating documentary on the naughty King...or was he?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH7Nyx19amQ

Coopmv · February 09, 2013, 12:20:56 PM

Quote from: Szykneij on February 09, 2013, 10:44:52 AM
Did they make him pay the "lost ticket" rate when they dug him up?

I don't think any state funeral is being planned for the re-burial of his remains ...

vandermolen · February 10, 2013, 12:47:52 AM

Quote from: Coopmv on February 09, 2013, 12:20:56 PM
I don't think any state funeral is being planned for the re-burial of his remains ...

Yes, but there is now an argument between Leicester and York Minster over where Richard III should be (finally) buried. Great stuff!
Thanks for replies.

Karl Henning · February 10, 2013, 05:34:24 AM

Anything like St Petersburg and Moscow differing over where to inter Lenin? ; )

mc ukrneal · February 10, 2013, 05:54:19 AM

Yes - been following it with interest. Fascinating story.

Coopmv · February 10, 2013, 06:41:21 AM

Quote from: vandermolen on February 10, 2013, 12:47:52 AM
Yes, but there is now an argument between Leicester and York Minster over where Richard III should be (finally) buried. Great stuff!
Thanks for replies.

Perhaps there has been a change of heart due to pressure from the public. I do think his remains deserve a proper burial. It also appears Shakespeare might have done a hatchet job on this man in order to sell his story, i.e. Richard III really was not such a villain afer all ...

Karl Henning · February 10, 2013, 06:47:34 AM

Quote from: Coopmv on February 10, 2013, 06:41:21 AM
Perhaps there has been a change of heart due to pressure from the public. I do think his remains deserve a proper burial. It also appears Shakespeare might have done a hatchet job on this man in order to sell his story, i.e. Richard III really was not such a villain afer all ...

To put it so does something of a hatchet job on Shakespeare, don't you think? If Hitler had won, Churchill would have been a villain in German operas . . . .