Bringing up the bodies.

A few weeks ago I read about the finding of a body under a car park in Leicester. This was not some modern day mafia-style killing with a body hidden under the concrete and tarmac. Not at all; it was believed to be the body of King Richard III, the horrible hunchback who is said to have done for the little princes in the Tower of London. At the time I wondered if they would close the car park to continue excavating. Well, it’s back in the news today so I can only assume that that bit of parking space has indeed been put out of use for a while. 

The place where they found the skeleton is the site of the Grey Friars church, where King Richard III is thought to have been buried in 1485 after losing his throne and his life at the battle of Bosworth Field. Actors have even posed at the scene. There’s always someone who wants to get dressed up in old armour and stuff. 

Apparently this skeleton has a bent spine which would be consistent with descriptions of good old (or possibly “bad old”) Richard having one shoulder higher than the other. It didn’t stop him fighting however as the body is said to have an arrow in its back and a gash in the skull. You’d think they might have removed the arrow before they buried him. Especially as they put his body on display for three days before they put him underground. 

Of course, nowadays we have the wonders of modern science coming into play and they can do DNA testing. They say the skeleton has some teeth in good enough condition to extract some DNA. Conveniently there is a chap in London whose late mother was identified by a historian/genealogist/biographer of Richard III as a 16th generation descendant of the king. So he can give a mouth swab. 

 I’m amazed that they can still carry out such tests after so many generations. Doesn’t DNA get diluted at all? And I wonder if this descendant has his neighbours address him as “Your Highness” or “Your Deposed Majesty” or something. Will he put in a claim for the throne at some point? Charles and William, watch out! 

They won’t know the results of the DNA tests for about 12 weeks though, so the story can be resurrected later this year. We all have something to look forward to then, as well as Christmas. 

And Christmas is coming on apace. Before we left Vigo I noticed Nativity figures appearing in the Chinese bazaars, ready for people to set up their “Belén” (Belén is the Spanish name for Bethlehem and is also used to denote the Christmas crib scene.) but I sort of dismissed that. 

Now, however, the shops are full of Christmas cards and Christmas wrapping paper. Some (crazily organised) people are putting Facebook posts about how many presents they have bought already. 

And yesterday in the local Co-op store they had mince pies on sale: two packs for the price of one. 

Good grief! It’s TOO EARLY!!!! We’ve only just got “Back to School” out of the way. We’ve not yet done ducking for apples or going out trick-or-treating, depending on whether you follow the English or the American version of Hallowe’en. 

Please can we slow it all down a little!