Richard III: Analysis Concludes King Died From Two Blows To The Head

Pathologists at the University of Leichester in England say Richard III was killed by a sharp weapon and spent his last moments without his helmet. Researchers led by Dr. Jo Appleby of the university's School of Archeology and Ancient History determined the English monarch, who died at Bosworth Battlefield in 1485 in the last decisive battle of the War of the Roses, suffered 11 wounds, three of which -- two to the head and one to the pelvis -- would have been fatal. The findings were published in Lancet.

“Richard’s injuries represent a sustained attack or an attack by several assailants with weapons from the later medieval period," Professor Sarah Hainsworth told the Leicester Mercury. “The wounds to the skull suggest that he was not wearing a helmet, and the absence of defensive wounds on his arms and hands indicate that he was otherwise still armored at the time of his death.”

Lead archeologist Richard Buckley told the BBC the skeleton belonged to Richard III "beyond reasonable doubt." The researchers concluded the pelvic injury likely was delivered after death and may have been a "humiliation wound."

Richard's remains were found under a parking lot in Leicester in Sept. 4, 2012. The skeleton is set to be interred in March at Leichester Cathedral, the BBC said. Descendants wanted the remains to be taken back to York, his stronghold, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.