From This Is Leicestershire:
Mystery surrounding one of the county’s medieval legends has been reignited after an ancient stone coffin linked to Richard III was unearthed on a building site.
The solid stone sarcophagus was discovered in the grounds of a property in Earl Shilton, by the home’s former gardener Reg Colver, where it had formed part of a water garden built in the early 1900s.
Archaeologists believe it dates from the time Richard died and could have been buried in the same church, Greyfriars, which once existed near Leicester Cathedral.
Richard Knox, of the county council’s archaeological services, said: “It is an important medieval artefact in its own right, it also shows the strength of the Bosworth myth which makes all local medieval finds somehow relevant to Richard and the Battle of Bosworth.”
…
Archaeologists have said they are confident the coffin unearthed yesterday is not that of Richard, but would never be able to rule out the possibility.Mr Knox said: “It is also quite possible that Richard’s coffin is still buried at the church at Greyfriars and was never dug up at all.”
Full article (with photo)
Seems like a tenuous link to me, but it is an interesting discovery regardless.
Previous post on the search for Richard’s bones (the news link in the post is no longer active)
Update: November 25, 2008 – Coffin to be donated to Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Center
From 24dash.com:
Ernie White, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet member for Community Services, said: “It’s fantastic that such an important piece of history will be displayed at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre for members of the public to enjoy.”
Philip Lacey, Sales Director for David Wilson, says, “This has been a very exciting project for us and we are delighted to have been able to share it with The Battle of Bosworth Heritage Centre, preserving this piece of history for generations to come.”
The dramatic events of the Battle of Bosworth,1485, can be experienced in a new, interactive exhibition at the Battlefield Heritage Centre, which recently won the bronze award for Small Visitor Attraction at the East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Awards.
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