History and the mysteries of Richard III
Archaeologists believe they have found Richard III's skeleton, under a car park. The car park had been built over the Church of the Grey Friars, where Richard was buried after losing the Battle of Bosworth to Henry Tudor in 1485.
The skeleton shows a man who had severe scoliosis, consistent with Richard's description as a 'hunchback' in Shakespeare's play. A contemporary poem describing the king's death had Richard poleaxed in the battle. The skeleton shows this wound to the skull.
Inspired by Shakespeare, history has Richard as a vile and murdering king. This is disputed by some today. Perhaps, as they say, Henry Tudor had the young Princes in the Tower killed. More likely both Henry and Richard had reason to murder the sons of Edward IV. Richard had already had them declared illegitimate so he could take the throne. We'd like to see the mystery of Richard's character revealed, but a skeleton can tell us only so much.
English history contains many fascinating mysteries. Some of them, critical to freedom and long forgotten, are described in our book Share the Inheritance.
Hardcover, 140 pages, 125 colour illustrations.
Available at PG Wells Bookshop, Winchester, 01962 852 016 and at
Amazon UK and Amazon USA
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