Researchers from University of Leicester’s Archaeological Services informed that the lead coffin was a mysterious piece of lead. It was likely to be an elderly lady, possibly of high socioeconomic status or religious faith. The coffin-within-a-coffin was found in August 2013, buried just feet from Richard III at Grey Friars friary. During a second excavation, the coffin was discovered inside a larger limestone sarcophagus. This is a box-shaped funeral container for a body, which is usually but not always carved from stone and placed above ground. One year later, the remains of King Richard II were discovered. The elderly woman’s skeleton was also found. Greyfriars’ medieval stone coffin has its inner lead casket. Image: University of Leicester. Researchers believe that the older woman was a supporter or benefactor of the friary. Researchers explained that the lead coffin was located in the presbytery church of the friary. It is possible it could be near the high altar. The inlaid Crucifix also indicates she had special meaning to the holy Catholic Order. Radiocarbon dating suggests that she died in 1400)., shortly after the construction of her church had been completed. This is the first time that a medieval coffin made of stone has been found intact in Leicester. Mathew Morris, Grey Friars’ excavation director, said that Richard III was the only male skeleton discovered inside Grey Friars Church. However, this is not unusual. There are many other burials within the cathedral. Image: Wikipedia. ULAS excavated the medieval parish church church of St Peter in Leicester. It is located beneath the John Lewis shop in Leicester’s Highcross shopping quarter. ULAS found that both men and women were buried within the church. This was statistically too small for us to make any conclusion about the importance of Grey Friars. It is possible to find out that the four women who were buried in this church are not the ones we have found if more excavations are done. Richard III wouldn’t have been the only man buried here in the friary’s 300 years history. Historic records also list at least three more men who were buried within the church. The contrast between these graves, large graves dug with coffins and Richard III’s crude grave is what really stands out. It becomes more obvious how unusual Richard III’s burial was.” Video: Opening the medieval stone coffin. The woman of high status was buried in one of the ten graves located on the grounds of the medieval compound. One of these was Richard III. Six were unassisted. The majority of the female remains found in all six specimens were from women. After his remains were taken by the University of Leicester on Sunday, March nd, Richard III’s remains will be returned to Leicester Cathedral. Video: Uncovering the Church of the Friars Minor Leicester
