Grave of King Richard III May Be Hidden Under Parking Lot

Portrait of Richard III of England, painted c. 1520

King Richard III of England had the honor of being memorialized in a William Shakespeare play after his death in battle in 1485. Now, modern-day archaeologists are on the hunt for the medieval king’s physical resting place.

The University of Leicester, Leicester City Council and the Richard III Society have joined forces to search for the grave of Richard III, thought to be under a parking lot for city council offices. The team will use ground-penetrating radar to search for the ideal spots to dig.

“This archaeological work offers a golden opportunity to learn more about medieval Leicester as well as about Richard III’s last resting place — and, if he is found, to re-inter his remains with proper solemnity in Leicester Cathedral,” Philippa Langley, a Richard III Society member, said in a statement.

Richard III was King of England from 1483 to 1485. He died during the Battle of Bosworth Field during the War of the Roses, an English civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York. Richard III was the last English king to die in battle. Shakespeare penned “Richard III,” a play about the tragic king, approximately 100 years later.

Regardless of his Shakespeare claim to fame, the king was talked about for his own right. “Richard III is a charismatic figure who attracts tremendous interest, partly because he has been so much maligned in past centuries, and partly because he occupies a pivotal place in English history,” Langley said.

Read the rest of the story here.

Article by: Livescience Staff

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