The Car Park Conundrum: How King Richard III's Grave was Found in the Most Unlikely of Places
Featured in "What Could Possibly Go Wrong?"
The discovery of King Richard III's grave in a humble car park in Leicester is a story that inspired Jodi Taylor to write about the jump in What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Join us as we delve into how a team of archaeologists stumbled upon the final resting place of one of England's most infamous monarchs in the most unexpected of locations.
Picture it: Leicester, 2012. A team of archaeologists from the University of Leicester sets out on a mission to uncover the lost grave of King Richard III, the last Plantagenet king of England. Armed with historical records, ground-penetrating radar, and a healthy dose of determination, they descend upon a nondescript council car park with hopes of unearthing a royal treasure trove.
With shovels in hand and excitement in their hearts, the archaeologists begin their meticulous excavation of the car park, carefully sifting through layers of dirt and debris in search of any signs of the long-lost Grey Friars friary. As curious onlookers peer over the barriers, the team presses on, undeterred by the odds stacked against them.
And then, just when all hope seemed lost, a breakthrough! Amidst the rubble, buried beneath centuries of history, the archaeologists uncover a set of human remains with a tell-tale spinal curvature and signs of battle wounds. Could it be? Could they have stumbled upon the elusive grave of King Richard III himself?
DNA analysis confirms the archaeologists' suspicions – the remains belong to none other than King Richard III, the hunchbacked monarch whose reign has been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. As news of the discovery spreads like wildfire, the car park becomes the unlikely epicenter of a royal sensation, drawing crowds of curious spectators and media frenzy.
In a scene straight out of a medieval fairytale, the remains of King Richard III are reinterred in Leicester Cathedral in a ceremony attended by royalty, dignitaries, and descendants of the Plantagenet king. A specially crafted tomb, adorned with regal insignia serves as a fitting tribute to Richard's memory and a reminder of the power of serendipity in uncovering history's hidden treasures.
From humble beginnings to royal revelations, this unlikely discovery reminds us that history is full of surprises, just waiting to be unearthed in the most unexpected of places. Would it have happened without the help of the time travelling historians at St Mary’s Institute of Historical research? Read What Could Possibly Go Wrong? by Jodi Taylor to find out. Available in paperback, eBook and audiobook formats.
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