This week’s news, that the skeleton discovered underneath a Leicester car park is almost certainly that of King Richard III is nothing short of remarkable. It is remarkable for two reasons. Firstly, that the body of the king, who died over 500 years ago and with no recorded grave, could have been found at all. Secondly, that modern science, in the form of DNA testing,  can prove virtually beyond reasonable doubt that the body is that of Richard III.

The story has resonated around the world and interest in one of England’s most infamous kings has been awakened once more (although the existence of the Richard III Society, dedicated to clearing his name would seem to indicate that, for some at least, no reawakening was necessary!). King Richard’s brief reign (just over two years in length) came to a bloody end at the Battle of Bosworth Field in August 1485 and with his death came the end of the thirty year long War of the Roses.

The victor of that battle, Henry Tudor (shortly to become King Henry VII) had less of a legal claim to the throne than the defeated Richard and so it was in his interests to paint his dead rival in as bad a light as possible to make his own position safer. The War of the Roses was a time of great treachery, betrayal, double-dealing  and brutality and the last battle, at Bosworth, illustrated that perfectly with one of Richard’s leading generals (Lord Stanley) defecting, with his small army, to Henry’s side once he saw which way the wind of battle was blowing and another general (the Earl of Northumberland) taking no part whatever.

Not only does the victor take the spoils, he writes the history books and, aided by William Shakespeare some one hundred years later, Henry and his advisors made Richard III appear one of the cruellest and most evil of kings ever to wear the crown of England. Most historians concede that he was indeed ruthless and devious but probably no more so than many of his contemporaries. In truth, a kind and gentle soul would hardly be capable of seizing and hanging on to the crown of 15th century England. In short, Richard was most likely a mere product of his times.

The discovery of his remains has provoked much debate both as to where Richard should now be interred (the cathedrals of Leicester, York and Westminster all lay claim) and also as to how fairly history has represented him. At least one myth has now been exploded since the skeleton shows that he did not have a withered arm and although his spine was deformed he was not the hunchback portrayed by Shakespeare. That makes sense at any rate, for nearly all the contemporary reports show him to have been a fierce warrior who distinguished himself time and again in battle and who met his death whilst attempting to engage his opponent, Henry Tudor, in single combat.

Whatever one’s take on the history of Richard and his bloody times this story has clearly demonstrated yet again that our country has a history and heritage second to none. Even 500 years after his death the tale of Richard III proves that the story of England still has the power to interest, enthral and capture the attention of the world.