Seing Uncle Richard

Parents are visiting me in Leicester so we decided to see Richard III (Or "Uncle Richard" as the people in the hotel called him).

Interesting exhibit. The history is a little dense. Lots of political shennigans, and confusingly everyone is called Richard or Edward. Richard Duke of York had several sons, the notable one were called Edward and Richard. Edward became Edward IV and he had two sons called Edward (later Edward V) and Richard. Edward IV's brother, also called Richard became Richard III. It seems there were allegations that Edward was illegitimate and therefore so was Richard and Edward, giving Richard the claim to the throne, being the oldest legimitate son of Richard. Richard allegedly killed Richard and Edward. Still, the history lesson was informative, once I'd worked out which Rich was which, and I learned

Actually Richard III, despite the character assassination done by Shakespeare did establish some reforms in the legal system and generally try to be a good king (and therefore was a good thing). It is quite possible that the princes dies of natural causes.

I actually found the science bit upstairs a lot more accessible. Various interviews with the archaology team, and lots of tech used in the forensics. There was a wealth of information. Still surprising that the remains were lost for so long. The MRI tells us all the injuries he received. The mitochondrial DNA tells us that this is the right guy. Basic analysis tells us that he did indeed have a distorted spine.

Seems a little pricey for quite a small exhibition, but not a bad place to visit.