Historic find proved to be Richard III

Windsor Castle, parts of which date back to the 11th century, is a royal residence at Windsor and in the county of Berkshire. The castle is known for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. It has been used since the time of Henry I by succeeding monarchs and it is the longest-occupied palace in Europe.The king’s death at the Battle of Bosworth Field, outside of Leicester, marked a pivotal moment in English history and in the struggle for power between the House of York and the House of Lancaster, known as the "The Wars of the Roses." Richard was the last of the Plantagenet kings to rule and his defeat by Henry VII began the start of the Tudor dynasty, which lasted for more than a century.Westminster Abbey is the traditional place of coronation and the burial site of many English monarchs of the Commonwealth realms. Construction began in 1245 and was completed in 1517. The abbey became the coronation site of Norman kings, but none were buried there until Henry III who was determined to be buried there. Since 1066 all English and British coronations have been held at the Abbey. Since 1100, there have been at least 16 royal weddings at Westminster Abbey including that of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.View the list »
This was the field where the famous king was found

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On Feb. 4, 2013 University of Leicester researchers confirmed the remains of King Richard III have indeed been found. They had been under what is now a parking lot in the English Midlands for more than 500 years. According to those present there were cheers when Richard Buckley, lead archaeologist on the hunt for the king's body, finally announced that the university team was convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" that it had found the last Plantagenet king, bent by scoliosis of the spine, and twisted further to fit into a hastily dug hole in Grey Friars church, which was slightly too small to hold his body.

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Carbon-dating, DNA and bone experts said the evidence was overwhelming. Even the computer-imaging technology used to peer on to and into the bones in raking detail, and recreate a visual image of the face fit what is known about the last English king of that period. Genealogists compared the DNA of the remains to a distant descendant of the royal family.

The bones were uncovered by an excavation worker just digging through the tarmac of the lot, during the first hour of the first day of the dig. Based on bones expert Jo Appleby, King Richard III was killed almost immediately after receiving a blow from a halberd that sliced off his skull in one hard blow. The blade probably penetrated several centimeters into his brain. A halberd is a 2 kilo razor-sharp iron axe mounted on a wooden pole meant to be used at close range. It was already known that he died at Bosworth on August 22, 1485 in battle.

There is still discussion about where the remains will be interred. Some believe they should go back to Leicester and others argue for burial in Westminster Abbey or Windsor Castle with other royals. Richard III was made famous by William Shakespeare’s play. The king’s death at the Battle of Bosworth Field, outside of Leicester, marked a pivotal moment in English history and in the struggle for power between the House of York and the House of Lancaster, known as the "The Wars of the Roses." Richard was the last of the Plantagenet kings to rule and his defeat by Henry VII began the start of the Tudor dynasty, which lasted for more than a century.

Can you name three famous buildings that are credited to the Plantagenets era?

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  • Westminster Abbey is the traditional place of coronation and the burial site of many English monarchs of the Commonwealth realms. Construction began in 1245 and was completed in 1517. The abbey became the coronation site of Norman kings, but none were buried there until Henry III who was determined to be buried there. Since 1066 all English and British coronations have been held at the Abbey. Since 1100, there have been at least 16 royal weddings at Westminster Abbey including that of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.
  • The king’s death at the Battle of Bosworth Field, outside of Leicester, marked a pivotal moment in English history and in the struggle for power between the House of York and the House of Lancaster, known as the "The Wars of the Roses." Richard was the last of the Plantagenet kings to rule and his defeat by Henry VII began the start of the Tudor dynasty, which lasted for more than a century.
  • Windsor Castle, parts of which date back to the 11th century, is a royal residence at Windsor and in the county of Berkshire. The castle is known for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. It has been used since the time of Henry I by succeeding monarchs and it is the longest-occupied palace in Europe.
  • Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. The Queen uses the Castle both as a private home, where she usually spends the weekend, and as a Royal residence at which she undertakes certain formal duties.
  • York Minster is a cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. It is the seat of the Archbishop of York which is the second-highest office of the Church of England. It is especially known for its ornate Gothic design and extensive stained glass décor. Some of the stained glass in York Minster dates back to the twelfth century. The 76-foot (23 m) tall Great East Window, created by John Thorton in the early fifteenth century, is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.
  • York Minster incorporates all the major stages of Gothic architectural development in England. It has an extra-wide Decorated Gothic nave and chapter house, a Perpendicular Gothic choir and east end, and Early English north and south transepts. Many of the towers are in the Perpendicular style.
View the list
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, Human Interest Examiner

Linda Foley has been a published writer since 1981. During that time she has interviewed astronauts, been slimed by elephants, ridden in the Goodyear blimp, and helped to release fish-hook injured brown pelicans. She has covered events as broad as the Junior Iditarod to training sessions with the...

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