Credit : University of Leicester
Michael Ibsen and Dr John Ashdown-Hill recount their reactions to news of Grey Friars find
Key figures in the search for Richard III were ‘startled’ and ‘deeply moved’ by the discovery of human remains by University of Leicester archaeologists.
Michael Ibsen, believed to be a descendent of King Richard’s eldest sister Anne of York, and historian Dr John Ashdown-Hill have recounted their reactions to the findings in a feature for the University of Leicester’s website.
Michael Ibsen, who was born in Canada and works as a furniture maker in London, first learned of his potential connection to the Plantagenet family in 2005 following research carried out by Dr Ashdown-Hill.
He and his siblings are now playing a key role in the DNA tests being undertaken at the University of Leicester to establish whether the remains found at the site of the Grey Friars church were once Richard III.
Michael, 55, said: “It was a huge shock. In the nicest possible way, it was startling and shocking in equal measure.
“It took a while for the idea that we were related to Richard III to sink in. It was something that took a while to get used to. To come to Leicester and look at the grave itself was fascinating and spine tingling.
“It is exciting to be able to play a small part in something that is potentially so historically important, but also nerve-wracking because it still remains to be seen whether the DNA tests will be conclusive.”
Dr Ashdown-Hill discovered the link between Richard III and Michael’s family, and published new evidence reinforcing the theory that Richard was buried at Grey Friars, and that his burial had never subsequently been disturbed, in his book The Last Days of Richard III.
He is a member of the Royal Historical Society, the Society of Genealogists, and the Richard III Society.
He said: “The Grey Friars dig gave me a great sense of personal triumph, because without my prior research, it might never have happened.”
“When I looked into the grave and saw the skeleton, I was deeply moved. I feel that the case for the identity of the body is already pretty strong: male; right age group and social class; died a violent death; had a twisted spine; found in the right place.”
The University of Leicester has been leading the archaeological search for the burial place of King Richard III with Leicester City Council, in association with the Richard III Society.
