Plans for Richard III museum
Museum expected to open in Leicester in 2014
Plans have been launched for a permanent Richard III museum following this week’s confirmation that human remains buried in the lost medieval Greyfriars church beneath Leicester city centre are those of the former 15th-century king of England.
Details are still being worked out, but the museum is expected to open in Leicester in 2014 in a building near the city’s cathedral, where his remains will be reinterred.
The University of Leicester revealed earlier this week that the remains found under a car park in September last year were those of the king. Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and was buried in the church, which was later demolished.
The remains of the church and the grave were rediscovered last year during a project involving the University of Leicester, Leicester City Council and the Richard III Society.
There is a rival plan to have the king interred in York, where he had close ties, but Leicester is keen for his remains to stay in the city.
“Having lain in the shadow of Leicester Cathedral for over 500 years, it is fitting that he should now finally be laid to rest here,” Leicester city mayor Peter Soulsby said.
A statement from Leicester City Council said: “The terms of the licence for the archaeological dig, which was granted by the Ministry of Justice, provides for the University of Leicester, as the licence holder, to proceed with reinterment of the remains.”
The university has agreed with Leicester City Council and Leicester Cathedral that the remains will be reinterred at the cathedral.
An exhibition telling the story of the search for and discovery of King Richard III opens tomorrow (8 February) at Leicester Guildhall. Details of the exhibition can be found online at www.visitleicester.info/richardIII
Details are still being worked out, but the museum is expected to open in Leicester in 2014 in a building near the city’s cathedral, where his remains will be reinterred.
The University of Leicester revealed earlier this week that the remains found under a car park in September last year were those of the king. Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and was buried in the church, which was later demolished.
The remains of the church and the grave were rediscovered last year during a project involving the University of Leicester, Leicester City Council and the Richard III Society.
There is a rival plan to have the king interred in York, where he had close ties, but Leicester is keen for his remains to stay in the city.
“Having lain in the shadow of Leicester Cathedral for over 500 years, it is fitting that he should now finally be laid to rest here,” Leicester city mayor Peter Soulsby said.
A statement from Leicester City Council said: “The terms of the licence for the archaeological dig, which was granted by the Ministry of Justice, provides for the University of Leicester, as the licence holder, to proceed with reinterment of the remains.”
The university has agreed with Leicester City Council and Leicester Cathedral that the remains will be reinterred at the cathedral.
An exhibition telling the story of the search for and discovery of King Richard III opens tomorrow (8 February) at Leicester Guildhall. Details of the exhibition can be found online at www.visitleicester.info/richardIII