A new film and series of events mark the ten-year anniversary of the discovery of King Richard III under a Leicester city centre car park
Leicester and Leicestershire are marking the 10th anniversary of the discovery of the remains of King Richard III in Leicester this year, one of the most remarkable archaeological detective stories ever told.
It has been 10 years since the Greyfriars dig that uncovered the remains of King Richard III, 527 years after his demise at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. The story is now being told again when a film about the discovery, ‘The Lost King’, starring Steve Coogan and Sally Hawkins is released. See ‘The Lost King’ in cinemas nationwide from 7 October 2022.
There will also be a series of events running over the coming months to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the discovery including:
- October – ‘The Lost King: In Conversation’ – Philippa Langley talks about her experiences of finding Richard III’s remains and making that story into a film
- November – The Princes in the Tower – Matthew Lewis, historian, author and Chair of the Richard III Society talks about his theory on the fate of the two young princes
- February 2023 onwards – University of Leicester events around the 4 February press conference announcement when the world’s press were all looking at Leicester
- Ongoing – The Richard III Society is organising a series of talks throughout the lecture season leading up to its 100th Anniversary in 2024
Ten years on since the amazing discovery, Leicester’s King Richard III Visitor Centre is still hugely popular with visitors from around the world. visitors can experience the history of the battle of Bosworth, and see the exact place where Richard’s remains were buried, which is now a glass-floored, contemplative space. Visitors can discover how traditional archaeology and modern science combined to identify his remains.
To experience more of Richard’s final days, Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre invites visitors to see the spot of his fateful clash with Henry Tudor during the War of the Roses. The centre offers interactive displays, outdoor activities, guided walks, living history events and galleries containing the medieval canon balls which contributed to the identification of the battlefield location.
Another journey back in time can be experienced at Kirby Muxloe Castle. The stunning 15th century mansion was being rebuilt by William, Lord Hastings in 1480 but he never got to finish it as Richard III executed him after accusing him of conspiracy. The interior of this incomplete, yet still impressive, mansion and moat can be discovered on a guided tour, or visitors can simply enjoy a walk around its grounds.
For more information on places to see, things to do and where to stay in Leicester and Leicestershire, visit to be www.visitleicester.info
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