Housebuilder helps preserve local history

Local housebuilder David Wilson East Midlands is hoping to add to the myth of Bosworth and King Richard III after excavating a stone coffin buried at its Lanterns development on Candle Lane in Earl Shilton.

The stone coffin, which could possibly be King Richard's, was discovered by local gardener Reg Colver and as soon as the company realised the artefact could be of historical importance, it made every effort to ensure it was appropriately looked after.

The story has attracted national interest and this week featured on BBC 1's The One Show after a team from the programme, headed up by Dan Snow, were invited to join the local housebuilder for this once-in-a-lifetime excavation.

The excavation took place last Friday whereby staff from David Wilson along with members of the Battle of Bosworth Heritage Centre carefully dug out the stone coffin.

Legend has it that King Richard III was buried at Greyfriars Church but later dug up by rebels and his body was thrown into the River Soar and his stone coffin used as an animal trough in a city centre tavern. It is known that the coffin at the development was used as an animal trough prior to being taken to the home in Earl Shilton and this is how Reg made the connection.

But could this really be the coffin of King Richard III?

Richard Knox is a keeper of Bosworth and Donnington and works at the Battle of Bosworth Heritage Centre. He says, "This is unlikely to be Richard's coffin for a number of reasons. Firstly, the last coffin reported to be Richard's was broken up in 1758 to become cellar steps in a Leicester tavern. Secondly, Richard's coffin was reportedly a different style with head and shoulders cut out, whereas this one is a simple tapering coffin. It is also quite possible that Richard's coffin is still buried at the church at Greyfriars and was never dug up at all.

"However, it is quite possible that this coffin was dug up from Greyfriars and we know that it was used as an animal trough in Leicester before it was brought to Earl Shilton in 1903. This is why the idea of it being Richard's coffin came about.

"So, it is an important medieval artefact in its own right and it also shows the strength of the Bosworth myth which makes all local medieval finds somehow relevant to Richard and The Battle of Bosworth."

The coffin is currently being held at The Lanterns development where local school children will be invited to take an exclusive look. David Wilson will then donate this artefact to The Battle of Bosworth Heritage Centre, where it will be put on show for members of the public.

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 Lanterns is an exquisite development offering a selection of homes, from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom detached houses. Prices at the development start from £89,950.

For more information, log on to Dwh.co.uk.