Richard III (2 October 1452 – 22 August 1485)

[EIIR]

It's amazing how similar the reconstruction is to the portraits. Some had suggested that the portraits, which were painted after his death, were altered to make him look more sinister to fit with the consensus of RIII as an evil tyrant.

The archeologists involved say they've been amazed at the worldwide interest in this story. It wouldn't surprise me if a movie based on RIII's life and death is made to cash in on all of this. Films about British royal history have become all the rage of late.

I was seriously annoyed that the BBC broke away from today's press conference to talk about Chris Huhne. I mean, what's more interesting - discovery of the remains of a King of England after 500 years, or yet another MP shown to be a lying corrupt waste of space? The answer should be obvious.

[Baroness of Books]

I've always found Richard III to be such a fascinating, mysterious and very likely one of the most maligned figures in history. His fairly short reign has been steeped in much controversy and to have his missing skeleton emerge from a car park, of all places, just boggles the mind. I'm sure that's why there's such great reaction to this story, and also because he's linked so closely to one of the greatest mysteries of the ages, the fate of the Princes in the Tower. He's not an obscure monarch by any means, so I'm not surprised that this may lead to a movie as a result of this discovery. Who knows, maybe there will be "The Plantagenets" as the next royal mini-series; that would be phenomenal. Hollywood/BBC, are you listening?

[GracieGiraffe]

Richard III was buried under a car park?

Who knew the Mafia existed in 15th century Britain?

[Baroness of Books]

Gracie, you just crack me up! Nearly spewed my tea over the keyboard.....

[Artemisia]

How amazing is the modern technology? We are actually able to tell what a person who died over 500 years ago looked like!
I find it fascinating the reconstruction looks very similar to his much later portraits.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hollywood is right now in the quest to find the best screenplay to depict the King's life. Just hope it's not based on Shakespeare's play.

[An Ard Ri]

After the search for Richard III's remains,now its seems Alfred the Great maybe next

After Richard III, archaeologists set their sights on Alfred the Great - Telegraph

[Artemisia]

I'm not sure how realistic finding King Alfred's grave is but if they ever do, it will be fantastic! He is, after all, the only English/British Monarch who was given the epithet "Great" - and deservingly so! In regards to a DNA sample to compare Alfred's bones to (assuming they are found), wasn't Anne of York a female-line descendants of his? I'll need to check that but assuming she was then all they have to do is compare the bones to the DNA of the Canadian carpenter who provided sample to compare to Richard III, or indeed the DNA of Richard himself.


Meanwhile, Richard III's facial reconstruction was officially unveiled by Richard III Society.

Richard III’s Facial Reconstruction Unveiled
Today, the Richard III Society officially unveiled the facial reconstruction of Richard III by the University of Dundee craniofacial identification team. The finished result is perhaps most amazing in one aspect – just how much it looks like the portraits of the late King.

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by An Ard Ri

After the search for Richard III's remains,now its seems Alfred the Great maybe next

After Richard III, archaeologists set their sights on Alfred the Great - Telegraph

Wow. I'm descended from him - alas, not in pure female line so cannot help them identifying an eventual skeleton...
Just checked the family tree - Alfred had only one sister who seems to have had only a son. So AFAIK there is no way then to check the DNA this way.

[rominet09]

The reconstruction fascinates me.... awesome !!!

[Muhler]

Here is a large and excellent picture of Richard III's reconstructed face: http://multimedia.pol.dk/archive/007...II_720098a.jpg

Remarkable!

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Here is a large and excellent picture of Richard III's reconstructed face: http://multimedia.pol.dk/archive/007...II_720098a.jpg

Remarkable!

Isn't it amazing!

[COESpiral]

Has it been determined if there will be any kind of ceremony for Richard III reburial? And would the Queen show up to show respect for a former monarch?

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by COESpiral

Has it been determined if there will be any kind of ceremony for Richard III reburial? And would the Queen show up to show respect for a former monarch?

Apparently he's either to be buried in Leicester or York. Doubtful the Queen will show up.

[Artemisia]

The Queen is indeed unlikely to attend but I'd say an appearance from the Duke of Gloucester is almost guaranteed.

[Tarlita]

The reconstructions are amazing. But with such a severe spine defect I don't see how he could fight very well with a raised sword for instance. He must have been hunched over very badly.

[Baroness of Books]

It's chilling, but in a good way, to see that reconstruction. There's also a photo of his descendant with that figure as well; just amazing to be able to look into the face of your ancestor from the mists of time.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Tarlita

The reconstructions are amazing. But with such a severe spine defect I don't see how he could fight very well with a raised sword for instance. He must have been hunched over very badly.

Far from all with scoliosis looked like Quasimodo. Richard III led armies and was in charge of campaigns on behalf of his brother before he became king.
Being a genuine hunchback on a battlefield during the Wars of the Roses would have been close to suicidal, even for a very high ranking man like Richard.
He was after all cut off from his escort at Bosworth. That happened all the time for high ranking persons during the confusion of close combat.

[Valerie Rose]

This discovery is truly sensational. Philippa Langley must be awestruck at how this quest has come to fruition. The reconstruction of King Richard's appearance is wonderful. I trust his final interment will take place with rites of which he would approve, and that he rests in peace.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Baroness of Books

It's chilling, but in a good way, to see that reconstruction. There's also a photo of his descendant with that figure as well; just amazing to be able to look into the face of your ancestor from the mists of time.

The man isn't a descendent of Richard III but of Richard's sister. There are also 1000s of descendants of Richard's brother still living including HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and many of the other royals across Europe.

[Zonk]

Originally Posted by Artemisia

The Queen is indeed unlikely to attend but I'd say an appearance from the Duke of Gloucester is almost guaranteed.

Why the Duke of Gloucester?

-----------------------------
How fascinating is this discovery?! So we know that Richard had scoliosis but wasn't a hunchback or a monster so this might have a small impact on how he is viewed but not much I think.

To me he will be the brother who at the end of the day, let his brother down. Don't get me wrong, while alive he appeared to be a great supporter of Edward, but the whole Princes in the Tower thing seems to negate (at least to me) any good work he might have done.