14 DAY TRIAL // Richard III's funeral and tomb were anything but fit for a king, a study published in the journal Antiquity reveals.
In fact, odds are commoners who happened to live during his reign got a much better treatment when they passed away and had to be buried.
The study says that, according to evidence found at the site where Richard III's body was found (i.e. a parking lot in Leicester), those in charge of burying the late king were in a bit of a hurry.
Hence the fact that they did not take the time to dig a grave big enough to properly accommodate the king. Alpha Galileo informs us that the grave was too short for the monarch's body, which was why the gravediggers found themselves having to pretty much stuff Richard III in it.
Researchers explain that, when found, the king's body was resting on one side of the grave and not in a central position as customary.
Other evidence suggests that, apart from his being merely thrown inside the grave without anyone ever thinking about arranging the body, Richard III still had hid hands tied when lowered into the ground.
Researchers could not find any proof that the king had been buried either in a coffin, or at least wrapped in a shroud of some sort.
These details back up the claim that the body dug out from under this parking lot in Leicester is that of Richard III.
Thus, several historical records that researchers have at their disposal indicate that those in charge of disposing of the king's body showed little respect or solemnity when carrying out this job.
“This discovery has been a focus of major public interest and debate, and we are delighted to publish the details of the excavation that have helped lead the team to their conclusion,” the current editor of Antiquity reportedly commented on this paper.