| Date | Event | | 4/2/2013 | On 4th February 2013, scientists from the University of Leicester announced that DNA testing, radiocarbon dating, radiological and archaeological evidence had proven conclusively that remains discovered beneath a car park at Grey Friars, Leicester, were those of Richard III, son of Richard, Duke of York and lord of Sandal Castle. Some contemporary sources had suggested that his body had been thrown into the River Soar. The following day, an online campaign, supported by Stephen Nicolay, 16th great-grandson of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, was launched for Richard’s remains to be interred at York, receiving an e-petition of 8,000 signatures within days. A High Court judicial review to determine the remains’ final resting place concluded on 23rd May 2014 in favour of Leicester. |
| 22/3/2015 | On 22nd March 2015, Richard III’s re-internment funeral cortege (‘the last journey of the last Plantagenet’) left the University of Leicester and travelled to Fenn Lance Farm near Stoke Golding, Market Bosworth, Newbold Verdon, Desford and Bow Bridge in Leicester itself. His coffin ‘lay in state’ for three days in the Cathedral of St Martin’s (an Anglican cathedral for a Catholic king) and he was entombed on the morning of 26th March under a black slab topped by Swaledale marble from Yorkshire. |
| 26/3/2015 | On 26th March 2015, a reinternment ceremony for the remains of Richard III (one time lord of Sandal) was held at Leicester Cathedral. The ‘Looking for Richard Project’ led by the Richard III Society and in conjunction with Leicester City Council and the University of Leicester had found remains under a city car park and, through mitochondrial DNA testing with living descendants of Richard’s sister, Anne of York, had proven the remains were those of the king. His funeral service was attended by the current Duke of Gloucester and distant relatives, including the actor, Benedict Cumberbatch. |