Richard III, a funeral fit for a king

He died in 1485 and was buried hastily after his body was humiliatingly trailed from the site of the battle where he had been killed. His tomb was lost for over 500 years. And when he was finally found, there was much talk about his bones being discovered beneath a car park. But today Richard III, King of England, began his final journey and it was a funeral procession fit for a king.

The funeral cortege of Richard III reaches Leicester Cathedral on March 22nd 2015

(photo RIII Project)

Richard III now lies in state in Leicester Cathedral where, for the next two days, people from around the world will have the chance to file past his coffin and pay their respects to a man better known for hundreds of years as the villain created by Shakespeare. But even before his remains left the University of Leicester this morning his whole reputation has been reappraised and refined. Richard III isn't just being reburied, he is being rethought.

The coffin of Richard III is brought into public view just after 10.30 on March 22nd 2015

(photo University of Leicester)

And that is due, in large part, to researchers at the University of Leicester, who used radiocarbon and DNA to prove that the bones found in Leicester city centre in 2012 are those of the last Plantagent king of England. His oak coffin, made by a descendant of the House of York, left the university at 10.30 this morning in a simple ceremony which saw the modern bearers of the white rose place that famous emblem on his coffin in the company of some of those who have brought his story back to life. 

An historic morning marking the final journey of the mortal remains of King Richard III #richardreburied pic.twitter.com/MkCwzDi3xt
— Uni of Leicester (@uniofleicester) March 22, 2015

The university remained responsible for the remains for the whole of this exceptional day. A local funeral directors helped oversee their transportation through an elaborate procession that visited many of the places in Leicestershire which are linked to Richard's story. The first stop was Fenn Lane Farm, the spot where the king is believed to have been killed. A private ceremony was held there.

The service at Fenn Lane Farm where guests are paying their respects to KRIII #RichardReburied pic.twitter.com/4HxpeE5Y9q

— Bosworth Battlefield (@BosworthLCC) March 22, 2015

The funeral procession then moved to Dadlington and Sutton Cheney before it arrived at the Bosworth Battle Heritage Centre where it was borne in on a funeral bier by young people. There was a 21 gun salute for the king and BBC Leicester reported that as his coffin arrived back at the battlefield for the final time, the crowd was silent with some people in tears.

Richard III arrives at Bosworth for the last time

(photo BBC Leicester Twitter)

With guards of honour and crowds of thousands all watching on, Richard III was carried away from Bosworth once more - 529 years after he lost his crown and his life at the battle that took place there. It was a moving, solemn and breathtaking moment.

King Richard III leaves @bosworthlcc for the final time. The crowd was in silence @bbcemt pic.twitter.com/cDmojfA4Mb
— Helen Astle (@HelenAstle_news) March 22, 2015

The procession then went on to Market Bosworth, Newbold Vernon and Desford before entering Leicester and a service at St Nicholas'Church in the city. His coffin was also taken to Bow Bridge before it was received into Leicester Cathedral and the university handed over responsibility for the king's remains.  Thousands lined the route, throwing white roses as the coffin passed.

The Duke of Gloucester, a modern royal Richard, was there as the solemn ceremony got underway and once the coffin rested near the baptismal font the duke stood in front of it as the service to receive the remains got underway. It was a poignant and moving sight. The plain oak coffin was cloaked in black velvet born by peers from the House of Lancaster and the House of York before a young brownie, Emma, placed a specially designed crown commissioned by historian John Ashdown-Hill on the casket. A bible, printed in the lifetime of the king and part of the University of Leicester's special collection, was also placed on his coffin.

The coffin of Richard III in Leicester Cathedral

(photo Leicester City Council)

The king now lies in state and will be reburied in a special ceremony on March 26th 2015. His name was lit up on the cathedral as the ceremony came to an end, dominating the Leicester skyline. But then Richard III is dominating everything right now. The monarch turned villain whose last resting place was forgotten for half a millennium is now being reburied under the world's gaze. Richard III is finally getting a funeral fit for a king.

And there are more photos of the funeral procession at the photo gallery - just click on the link.