The remains of the last English King who died in battle have been discovered in the UK.
In English slang, ‘poo’ is referred to as ‘Richard the Third’… which sounds like ‘turd’. For example, one might say, “I’m going for a Richard.” Interestingly, the car park where Richard the Third’s remains were found was being excavated to build a public toilet, creating an ironic situation.
Richard the Third, the son of York, met his demise as his soldiers abandoned him and switched allegiances. The battle concluded with Henry Tudor’s victory, marking Lancashire’s triumph over Yorkshire in the last of the Wars of the Roses. This event paved the way for the Tudor dynasty to succeed the last Plantagenet.
In 1485, after his death, Richard’s body, mutilated and desecrated, was taken by monks to be buried discreetly in their monastery grounds, shielding it from grave robbers.
It is ironic to note that the subsequent Tudor King, the notorious Henry the Eighth, would go on to dismantle monasteries, including the very grounds where Richard’s remains were laid to rest. These remains remained concealed until they resurfaced 525 years later beneath a car park.
The brave warrior was a slender man of 32 years who ruled generously.
Contrary to popular belief propagated by William Shakespeare, Richard the Third was neither a hunchback nor did he possess a club foot.
Shakespeare portrayed him as having a hunchback and club foot in his play, mainly to appease the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth the First; otherwise, he risked losing his head. And let’s face it, beheading ran in her family (just look into Henry the Eighth, if you’re unaware).
The account of the Princes in the Tower remains unproven, rendering it questionable to label Richard a child murderer.
As for his burial site, I propose he should rest in Westminster Abbey alongside other English kings.
by Professor P.T. Brown
