February 5, 2013

A facial reconstruction based on the recently discovered skull of King Richard III of England was unveiled today in London. The reconstructed face has a slightly arched nose and prominent chin, similar to features that can be seen in portraits of Richard III that were painted after his death. A skeleton found under a parking lot in Leicester during an archaeological dig in September 2012 has been confirmed to be the remains of Richard, the last English king to die in battle. DNA from the skeleton matches the DNA of two living descendants of Richard’s sister. The skeleton 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 III, in a portrait created after his death. (© National Portrait Gallery, London)

In Shakespeare’s historical drama Richard III, the king, stranded on foot on the field of battle, famously cries, “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse” before he is struck down. Shakespeare represented Richard as one of the great villains of history who, according to legend, was responsible for the murder of his nephews, Edward V and Richard, Duke of York. After the 12-year-old Edward V succeeded his father, Edward IV, in 1483, the government was put in the care of Richard, who was named protector of the realm. However, the Woodvilles, the family of the young king’s mother, attempted to seize power. In crushing their conspiracy, Richard sought to become king himself. He was crowned early in July 1483, after Parliament had declared him king. Edward V and the Duke of York were put in the Tower of London. Some scholars believe that King Richard had the boys killed. But no proof of such a crime exists. Skeletons of two children—believed to be the young princes—were discovered in the Tower in 1674.

Officials at Leicester University state that it is beyond any reasonable doubt that the skeleton from the parking lot is that of the last Plantagenet king. The remains of Richard III are to be buried in Leicester Cathedral.

Additional World Book articles:

• Lancaster
• Tudor, House of
• War of the Roses
• York
• Analyzing Forensic Evidence (a special report)