General Chat

I believe that traced the mitochondrial DNA, so hanky panky makes no difference.

Have I got this right?

They're using the DNA of Richard's mother or they're using the current Queen's DNA (or one of her children's DNA) to see if it's compatible with Richard's?

"As well as comparing DNA from the bones with that of Michael Ibsen, a London-based furniture-maker who is a direct descendant of the king’s sister, Anne of York, they have been subject to carbon dating – which can date bones to between 70 and 100 years – and other studies including environmental analysis."

The skeleton is 'beyond reasonable doubt' the remains of Richard III
A skeleton found beneath a Leicester car park has been confirmed as that of English king Richard III.

Experts from the University of Leicester said DNA from the bones matched that of descendants of the monarch's family.

Lead archaeologist Richard Buckley, from the University of Leicester, told a press conference to applause: "Beyond reasonable doubt it's Richard."

Richard, who died in 1485, will be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral.

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Interactive: Twisted bones reveal a king

His skeleton had suffered 10 injuries, including eight to the skull.

The bones, which are of a man in his late 20s or early 30s, have been carbon dated to a period from 1455-1540.

Richard was 32 when he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

Speaking at the press conference at the University of Leicester, Dr Turi King, project geneticist, said there had been concern DNA in the bones would be too degraded: "The question was could we get a sample of DNA to work with, and I am extremely pleased to tell you that we could."

She added: "There is a DNA match between the maternal DNA of the descendants of the family of Richard III and the skeletal remains we found at the Greyfriars dig.

"In short, the DNA evidence points to these being the remains of Richard III."

Richard is remembered as the physically deformed and black-hearted villain of Shakespeare's play
Richard was killed at Bosworth in 1485 after only two years on the throne.

He was given a low-key burial beneath in the church of Greyfriars in the centre of Leicester.

But when this building was demolished in the 16th Century the exact location became uncertain and was eventually forgotten.

Despite this, a team of enthusiasts and historians traced the likely area - and, crucially, also found a 17th-generation descendant of Richard's sister with whose DNA they could compare any remains recovered.

In August 2012, an excavation began in a city council car park - the only open space remaining in the likely area - which quickly identified buildings connected to the church.

The bones were found in the first days of the dig

OMG who will pay his parking fine??? ;-) ;-)

Whatever the outcome he's not going to be put back under the car park.

It does give credence to the fact that although there was no DNA testing centuries ago, the only way to be sure that we really got royal heirs was to have accession through the female line only. Centuries ago only the mother could be sure that her child was hers.

Still, one step forward now with accession passing through the first-born whatever the gender.

Just seen the posting of the result.

Good - the hard work was worth it for those taking part.

Oh, JoyBA - never thought of that.

I hope the govt doesn't take it out of my pittance.

There'll be an inquiry that's for sure!

From the presentation descriptions it really couldn't be anyone else.

I'm looking forward to this evening@s Channel 4 programme - but my sister in Oz - (v.much invoived with the Richard III society there) tells me their web arranger there was interviewed by the programme's presenter on Skype, and reported she didn't seem v. well informed (editing sister's stronger language). Hope that's not true of all the programme!

why didnt they just look at the bones and see if he had a humpty back ;-) ;-)

I wonder if there will be a facial reconstruction done to see how close the portraits are to his actual bone structure?

In those days Rose them portraits had to be flattering
more how the king wanted to look
than how he really looked

or it was off with the painters head

oh i miss those good old off with the heads days :-D :-D

I'd be very disappointed if there wasn't a facial reconstruction done...they do them all the time on the Meet The Ancestors programmes...

"oh i miss those good old off with the heads days"

Well you'll be at home with the Yorkists and Lancastrians then, more of them ended up with their head on a spike then died of old age.

Yes, they have said there will be a facial reconstruction in the programme I think. I am very interested as just over the wall of the carpark a few feet away is my old school and playground. We had school services in the Cathedral where he is to be re-interred. I think it will generate tourism in the area, we already have a road and school named after him and I was walking the Battle Trail in the recent snow. It would have been quite a trek from the battlefield to the city by horse.

Tbf he shouldnt have a parking fee as he couldnt even trade his kingdom for a horse let aline park it up x :-D

the program on channel 4 is really good :-D :-D

I found it annoying tbh lol

They keep referring to a work of FICTION re King Richard..but give very little evidence to the contrary. it was by SHAKESPEARE fgs..what else do you expect !!!

EVERY documentary I've ever seen says that Richard OR one of his minions killed the princes...but that's been skirted across.
He DID have a hunchback...and her horror at receiving this news shows that she is deluded..though did a sterling job in uncovering the remains...which i'll give her credit for.........if nothing else.

I found it rather patchy - it seemed a bit trivial and giggly to start with, so I started doing some surveys on the computer but keeping my eye on the screen and watching when bits seemed more interesting. I thought the straight information on the News24 broadcast this morning was much more interesting - anld (although I have already admitted I wasn't paying 100% attention) - no-one seemed to mention the double DNA check through his mother's line which was important confirmation.

well done Richard 111
second place in the world hide and seek champion ships 1485 to 2013 :-D

beaten only by tutankhamun ;-) ;-)