Richard III could be buried under Leicester car park, archaeologists say

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/aug/24/richard-3-remains-leicester-dig

Experts from University of Leicester believe ground was once site of medieval church, but that discovery is still a 'long shot'


Over the centuries many fables have arisen about the final resting place of Richard III. Photograph: Getty

Archaeologists are hoping to find the lost grave of King Richard III under a Leicester car park, which they believe was once the site of a church where the medieval monarch was buried more than 500 years ago.

Richard III, the last Plantagenet, ruled England from 1483 until he was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. It is believed his body was stripped and despoiled and brought to Leicester, where he was buried in the church of the Franciscan Friary, known as Greyfriars.

But the exact whereabouts of the church have become lost over time and it is rumoured the monarch's bones could have been thrown in to the River Soar after the dissolution of the monasteries. Experts are hoping to dispel the rumours and uncover the site of the church and the monarch's remains.

Richard Buckley, co-director of the archaeology service at the University of Leicester, 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.

[kickysnana]

1. They lost a king? n/t

[xchrom]

2. meh. they've had a lot of 'em.

a king here a king there -- what's to get excited?

[Judi Lynn]

3. Wow! That should be so easy to solve! n/t