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Original poster

Huh. It's going to be January before we know whether they're Richard III's bones.

118 replies

LadyDamerel · 19/11/2012 21:14

Just spotted this on the BBC website.

I think it's about time they borrowed some of those super-fast scanners and testing thingummies from CSI and put us out of our misery!

And in other news, there's a big list on the Richard III society website of various Richard III fictions, most of which are on Amazon or eBay (you'll need to click on the yellow Richard III tab on the left, then on Ricardian fiction to see the list).

OP posts:
ClaireFromWork · 03/02/2013 21:19

This is odd because I am 100% sure that I heard on the news a few weeks go that they are RIII's bones. However, this would not be the first time that I've heard / read news before it actually happens...

SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 03/02/2013 21:21

I've set my alarm clock!

greenhill · 03/02/2013 21:24

I can't wait to see the facial reconstruction.

SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 03/02/2013 21:24

Surely though, if Edward was illegitimate, then that just made Richard, or Gloucesters children the heirs? Still didn't strengthen Henry's claim.

kitstwins · 03/02/2013 21:25

It is him. The programme is on C4 tomorrow. If it wasn't him they'd have let the news out before now. They're milking the timings for all it's worth and who can blame them. I'm SO excited!

It's him. The question is, what next? Maybe a more truthful representation of a lost king. What IS good about all of this is that hopefully we'll begin to get a more measured picture of the man and not the Shakespearean pastiche of the evil, hunchback uncle. It took years for Henry VII to be rightfully portrayed as the dynamic, strategic, hotblooded and complex individual (and opportunist!) rather than the miserly, ascetic cipher he became. The mistake with history is we view them at the end of their life rather than at the beginning. Richard III is defined by Bosworth and the 'betrayal' of his nephew and yet he was and it was so much more complex than this.

kitstwins · 03/02/2013 21:28

No, it didn't strengthen Henry's claim. I was just remarking on the irony of his marriage to Elizabeth of York to bolster his claim - she being the offspring of a 'bastard' king.

Henry's claim was still dubious at best. But he's not the first upstart to grab a kingdom on a day's battle and start a dynasty. It has been done on less.

AnyaKnowIt · 03/02/2013 21:29

Well just looked at tomorrows TV listings and the Channel 4 programme is called 'The King In The Carpark' Hmm

RichardsBird · 03/02/2013 21:30

The university are not telling ANYONE what the results are, even at this late stage. I work for one of the very closely related organisations and the most senior person there did not know the definitive is-it-or-isn't-it answer at 6pm today. The city council have taken a gamble buying the building and setting up a temporary exhibition. But of course it is him, IMO.

meditrina · 04/02/2013 06:50

I'm getting surprisingly excited!!

There are little bits on the news already. I think has to be him; DH thinks it's going to be inconclusive.

scaevola · 04/02/2013 06:59

Glad there's a thread on this!

I've just seen the Breakfast News: they had a brief interview with the lead archaeologist: something about the way he said "sadly, we'll have to it until later on" (for the news), with the "sadly" stressed, made me think perhaps they can't be sure it's him.

Also wondering why the Sundays didn't get hold of it.

seeker · 04/02/2013 07:16

It has to be him, surely? All this fuss then "sorry, it's some random bloke"

LeeCoakley · 04/02/2013 08:12

But people involved with the C4 programme must know so maybe people who 'know' have heard it from them

TheWoollybacksWife · 04/02/2013 08:27

DD is studying at the Dept of Archaelogy. I have asked her to text me when she knows but she says they are telling everyone at the same time so I will probably see it on TV first Grin

scaevola · 04/02/2013 08:45

< imagining hordes of MNetters camped by their tellies this morning >

The trailer for the C4 programme looked as if it was all about the methods of the tests, and will probably include a lot about his life and interpretations of it. It's only the result of the DNA test that need to be kept under wraps - and they could have filmed 3 endings in advance (yes, no, inconclusive).

scaevola · 04/02/2013 09:36

SKY News is already reporting what it says is the result.

AnyaKnowIt · 04/02/2013 10:02

so is it him? been sitting here and keep refreshing Grin

SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 04/02/2013 10:06

Overwhelmingly excited!

clarabellabunting · 04/02/2013 10:06

Live feed of the press conference is here:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21319148

SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 04/02/2013 10:10

sky news are 5 seconds ahead! They are really stringing this out!

AnyaKnowIt · 04/02/2013 10:10

that link doesn't work on my phone Sad

scaevola · 04/02/2013 10:11

Bugger - SKY's just broken off. I was really enjoying the description of the method.

clarabellabunting · 04/02/2013 10:12

Still working on the BBC - they've just shown a pic of the bones in the grave as they were found in situ.

SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 04/02/2013 10:12

Wow! Look at the spine! Shock
AAARGH! Its still on CNN!

AnyaKnowIt · 04/02/2013 10:13

its all about huhne now Hmm

scaevola · 04/02/2013 10:14

It's back on SKY (phew)

I am so glad they are showing all the explanation.