New Discovery Near Richard III’s Grave
August 1, 2013
A mysterious stone casket has been unearthed from the same parking lot where the remains of England’s infamous King Richard III (1452-1485) were found in 2012. Archaeologists from the University of Leicester reported that they had found the 600-year-old casket as they were excavating the nearby grave of Richard III. Recently, the archaeologists returned to the parking lot, the site of the old Greyfriars Priory, to investigate the stone casket and, if possible, find out who was buried inside.
Eight strong workers were need to lift the heavy stone lid off the casket which was over 6 feet (2 meters) in length. Inside, archaeologists were surprised to discover a second coffin. This coffin is composed of a single sheet of lead, about 1/5 inch (5 millimeters) thick that was wrapped around the body and sealed shut around the edges. The imprint of a cross can be seen on the lead coffin. Damage at one end of the coffin exposed the feet of the body inside. The archaeologists plan to transport the lead coffin to a laboratory where they can conduct further tests. A careful examination of the coffin will be conducted before they cut it open to examine the remain inside.
The archaeologists do not know the identity of the grave’s occupant. They know it must belong to a high-status individual, because the stone casket and interior lead coffin would have been too expensive for most people of that time. Records of burials at the old Greyfriars Priory were lost when the church was destroyed in the 1530′s. But archaeologists suspect the coffin contains one of three high-born people known to have been buried at the Priory. Archaeologists think the grave may belong to Sir William Morton, a Leicester knight who died in 1362. But experts also point out that the grave could belong to Peter Swynsfeld, who died in 1272, or William of Nottingham, who died in 1330. Both men headed the Greyfriar order and would have been buried there. Over the next few months, archaeologists will conduct a detailed examination of the skeleton. The scientists also hope to extract genetic material from the skeleton, which was well-preserved in the lead coffin, to make a positive identification of the individual who commanded such a fine burial.
Richard III, in a portrait created after his death. (© National Portrait Gallery, London)
Richard III was the last English king to die in battle. Scientists found that DNA from the skeleton matches the DNA of two living descendants of Richard’s sister. The skeleton also includes a severely curved spine and a skull clearly cleaved by a blow to the head by a some weapon. Richard, who according to legend was a hunchback, was killed at the age of 32 in the 1485 Battle of Bosworth by the forces of Henry Tudor. Tudor, the future Henry VII, was the father of Henry VIII and grandfather of Elizabeth I. Richard is often portrayed as one of the great villains of history. According to legend, he was responsible for the murder of his nephews Edward V and Richard, Duke of York. But no proof of such a crime exists.
Additional World Book articles:
- Lancaster
- Richard III (by William Shakespeare)
- Tudor, House of
- War of the Roses
- York
- Analyzing Forensic Evidence (a special report)
