The mystery surrounding the final resting place of English King Richard III, lost to history after his death at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, has been definitively solved. Two years ago, archaeologists unearthed a skeleton under a parking lot that closely matched historical descriptions of Richard III. Initial DNA analysis provided compelling evidence, but today’s publication in the journal Nature Communications confirms the identification.
Led by researchers Turi King and Kevin Schürer, the study utilized a combination of genetic analysis and historical research to establish the skeleton’s identity as Richard III. The pivotal piece of evidence was mitochondrial DNA, inherited through maternal lineage. A match was found between the DNA of the skeleton and two living descendants of Richard’s relatives: Wendy Duldig and Michael Ibsen. Despite being distant relatives—14th cousins twice removed—their shared ancestry through Richard’s oldest sister, Anne of York, provided the necessary continuity in the female line to confirm the identity.
This breakthrough marks the resolution of one of the most significant historical missing persons cases, solidifying the skeleton discovered under the parking lot as that of King Richard III, a monarch whose reign and fate have long intrigued historians and the public alike.
DNA analysis of Richard III’s remains has provided insights into his physical appearance, enhancing our understanding of the historical figure. None of the contemporary portraits of Richard III have survived, with only a few painted posthumously in the early 1500s remaining. Among them, a portrait from the Society of Antiquaries of London has been validated by DNA evidence as more accurate. This portrait correctly portrays Richard III with blue eyes and lighter hair color, aligning with the genetic information extracted from his remains.
The discovery and identification of Richard III’s skeleton have marked a significant historical find, shedding light on the physical attributes of a monarch whose image has been clouded by centuries of myth and speculation. His remains are scheduled to be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral in March, providing a final resting place that befits his historical significance and concludes a journey that began with his rediscovery under a parking lot. This reinterment will serve as a solemn tribute to Richard III and an opportunity for reflection on his tumultuous life and reign.
