Richard's Bones Tell His Story

 It's Richard III Alright!

"This has been an extraordinary journey of discovery.  

We came with a dream and today that dream has been realized. This is an historic moment that will rewrite the history books."

Philippa Langley, Screenwriter

Champion Search for Richard III 

Only with DNA technology...a living bona fide relative...and a whole lot of luck did the bones that turned up in a car lot outside Leicester Cathedral were proven to be those of Richard III.  He will be buried adjacent to the Cathedral, the place of his historical death in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. 

What else do we know?  That he died from one of two violent blows to the head and 8-10 wounds to his body. It appears that his body was beaten after his death, a ritual for humiliation.  Scientists speculate that he was buried with hands tied and squeezed into a grave. No dignity was paid to the one called "criminal king."  

Yet scholars still wonder if the Tudors set about to bury Richard III with the pen to establish their line. The archaeological evidence surely backs up the popular view that this was a King not for the liking of the people.  

So what do we really get from the discovery?  It confirms that Richard suffered from a hunchback with scoliosis. He died a violent death and his corpse was humilated to denigrate his memory as a criminal King. The location of the battle is right on accurate. Perhaps the physical remains will spur somebody to revisit his story.  History is after all--written by the winners.