Scientists reveal DNA results confirm 15th century king's body has been found under a car park in Leicester

Human remains found buried beneath a social services car park in Leicester are those of Richard III who was killed in battle in 1485, archaeologists confirmed today.

In an extraordinary discovery which rewrites the history books, the skeleton of the last of the Plantagenet kings was identified by DNA analysis after researchers traced his living descendants.

Investigators from the University of Leicester today revealed that the remains bore the marks of ten injuries inflicted shortly before his death.

More gruesome, however, was evidence of ‘humiliation’ injuries, including several head wounds - part of the skull was sliced away - a cut to the ribcage and a pelvic wound likely caused by an upward thrust of a weapon, through the buttock.

The skeleton was described of that of a slender male, in his late 20s or early 30s. Richard was 32 when he died.
Newly-released pictures also show a distinctive curvature of the spine synonymous with the hunchback king immortalised by Shakespeare.

There was, however, no evidence of a withered arm, which was also part of the Richard myth.
Speaking to 140 journalists who had travelled from across the world for the announcement, the university’s lead archaeologist Richard Buckley described the identity of the remains as ‘beyond reasonable doubt.'

‘It is the academic conclusion of the University of Leicester that the individual exhumed at Greyfriars in August 2012 is indeed King Richard III, the last Plantagenet King of England.’

Deputy registrar Richard Taylor described the discovery as ‘truly astonishing’ and said it could ‘prove to be one of the biggest archaeological discoveries of recent times’.

The long-awaited announcement was greeted by cheers.
Richard, depicted by William Shakespeare as a monstrous tyrant who murdered two princes in the Tower of London, died at the Battle of Bosworth Field, defeated by an army led by Henry Tudor.

According to historical records, his body was taken 15 miles to Leicester where it was displayed as proof of his death before being buried in the Franciscan friary.

The team from Leicester University set out to trace the site of the old church and its precincts, including the site where Richard was finally laid to rest.
They began excavating the city centre location in August last year and soon discovered the skeleton, which was found in good condition with its feet missing in a grave around 680 metres (2,231 feet) below ground level.

It was lying in a rough cut grave with the hands crossed in a manner which indicated they were bound when he was buried.
To the naked eye, it was clear that the remains had a badly curved spine and trauma injuries to the rear of the head.

But archaeologists were keen to make no official announcement until the skeleton had been subjected to months of tests.
Speaking at today’s press conference, University of Leicester geneticist Dr Turi King described how researchers had traced Richard’s descendants to confirm the body was indeed that of England’s last medieval king.

The bones had also undergone radiocarbon dating which indicated the man found had died sometime between 1485 and 1550 - consistent with historical records of the king’s death.
Archaeologists, historians and local tourism officials were all hoping for confirmation that the monarch's long-lost remains have been located.

So were the king's fans in the Richard III Society, set up to re-evaluate the reputation of a reviled monarch.
Richard was immortalised in a play by William Shakespeare as a hunchbacked usurper who left a trail of bodies - including those of his two young nephews, murdered in the Tower of London - on his way to the throne.

Richard III remains an enigma - villain to many, hero to some. He ruled England between 1483 and 1485, during the decades-long tussle over the throne known as the Wars of the Roses.

His brief reign saw liberal reforms, including introduction of the right to bail and the lifting of restrictions on books and printing presses.

His rule was challenged, and he was defeated and killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field by the army of Henry Tudor, who took the throne as King Henry VII.

Richard III’s remains will be re interred in Leicester Cathedral.