University of Leicester archaelogists find medieval penny and maybe Richard III

WillieBoyd2

Human remains uncovered by University of Leicester-led archaeological search reveal circumstantial evidence consistent with battle wounds –but not in keeping with the Tudor sources that portrayed the warrior king as a wicked hunchback

The stunning findings of human remains excavated by the archaeologists came from the Choir of the Grey Friars Church.

This site has a photo of the penny but only one side of it:
http://www.historyextra.com/gallery/richard-iii

General information:
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/press-releases/2012/september/search-for-king-richard-iii-enters-new-phase-after-2018momentous-discovery-has-potential-to-rewrite-history2019

EVillageProwler

A horse, a horse!
My kingdom for a horse!

Contemporary descriptions of Richard III were distorted for political reasons. It was possible that the king had a slight physical deformity, and that got over-blown into what got passed down in history by the victors.

EVP

JCMhouston

<< <i>Contemporary descriptions of Richard III were distorted for political reasons. >>



The winners always get to write the history.

I've been following the dig and their results, it will be interesting to see if they can get enough DNA to prove conclusively that it's him.

SaorAlba

<< <i>

<< <i>Contemporary descriptions of Richard III were distorted for political reasons. >>



The winners always get to write the history.

I've been following the dig and their results, it will be interesting to see if they can get enough DNA to prove conclusively that it's him. >>



It will be interesting. One does ponder that perhaps a bit of history can be corrected. Surely the Tudors were not the most savory lot, despite such that Princess Charles does believe HVIII got a bad rap. As you note, the vanquished are not privileged in history.

EVillageProwler

<< <i>Surely the Tudors were not the most savory lot, despite such that Princess Charles does believe HVIII got a bad rap. >>



I don't really understand the above sentence.

Henricus VIII was a terrible executive; by the end of his reign, his kingdom was just about bankrupt due to his lavish parties, gifts to women and political contrivances against Spain and France.

He was, however, reputed to be athletic, intelligent and religious (a devout and life-long Roman Catholic, despite having founded the Church of England).

He was also very nationalistic, and welcomed public service regardless of religious affiliation.

EVP

WillieBoyd2

It's Dick!

DNA tests have confirmed that human remains found buried beneath an English car park are those of the country's King Richard III.

British scientists announced Monday they are convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" that a skeleton found during an archaeological dig in Leicester, central England, last August is that of the former king, who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/03/world/europe/richard-iii-search-announcement/index.html

DorkGirl

Amazing!

lordmarcovan

Amazing, indeed!

Now, who's got a Richard III coin to post?

(Not me, alas.)

BS

<< <i>Amazing, indeed!

Now, who's got a Richard III coin to post?

(Not me, alas.) >>



Here's a Richard III Penny.

SaorAlba

Now I want to know what happened to Edward V and his brother.

Bjorn

Amazing how different the two brothers were - Edward IV at 6'5" (196 cm) and Richard III at 5'8" (173 cm). I guess that's genetics for you!

-Bjorn

SaorAlba

<< <i>Amazing how different the two brothers were - Edward IV at 6'5" (196 cm) and Richard III at 5'8" (173 cm). I guess that's genetics for you!

-Bjorn >>



The latter likely had scoliosis - but other underlying health issues could have been a factor. Edward IV had a very impressive height for the time - but then even 5'8" was very tall.

Hussulo

Apparently the DNA proves it was him!

http://news.yahoo.com/experts-remains-englands-king-richard-iii-105948025.html

Theres also a program about it at 9pm Channel 4 (in the UK). Can' wait to watch it!

Hussulo

Facial reconstruction of Richard III from his skull found

]

EVillageProwler

This is way cool.

Aethelred

I was just struck by how seldom the face of a medieval kind makes the news. The skull of Richard III has been all over the news all day, how flippin' cool is that?

Not taking sides on the Richard III, Henry VII, Edward V debate, but how cool that Richard is in the news!!!!

ProofArtworkonCircs

<<Human remains uncovered by University of Leicester-led archaeological search reveal circumstantial evidence consistent with battle wounds –but not in keeping with the Tudor sources that portrayed the warrior king as a wicked hunchback>>

This story was on the news tonight. They stated that the bones showed that he was a hunchback. The backbone certainly looked like it.

Aethelred

For God’s sake let us sit up on the ground

And tell sad stories about the death of kings:

How some have been depos’d, some slain in war,

Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed,

Some poisoned by their wives, some sleeping kill’d,

All murthered – for within the hollow crown

That rounds the mortal temples of a king

Keeps Death his court

ProofArtworkonCircs

Is there a doctor in the house?

Evidently there is a difference between "hunchback" and "severe curvature of the spine". I don't know what it is.

Evidently, they now have DNA evidence also.

RobP

From King to Car Park Attendant - a bit of a demotion methinks.

Hyperion

years from now, who's to say what will be built over the "nice" areas of our towns?

it only takes 1 generation out of memory to be totally forgotten.

Hyperion

<< <i>years from now, who's to say what will be built over the "nice" areas of our towns?

it only takes 1 generation out of memory to be totally forgotten. >>



sic transit gloria mundi...

....and have a nice day