Early Clues and Historical Records

The search for Richard III’s lost church began with careful examination of medieval manuscripts, parish records, and old maps of Leicester. Scholars pieced together references to the church’s location and its fate during the turbulent religious reforms of the 16th century.

Archaeologists hypothesized that the church’s remains might lie beneath modern Leicester’s streets, yet pinpointing the exact site proved difficult due to centuries of urban development.

Archaeological Excavations

In the early 21st century, a series of excavations were undertaken by a team of experts combining historical research, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and traditional archaeological digging.

The breakthrough came when layers of stonework, foundations, and medieval artifacts were uncovered beneath a car park and adjacent streets near Leicester’s city center. Among the finds were remnants of stained glass, carved stone pillars, and fragments of medieval tiles—clear signs of a significant ecclesiastical building.

Confirmation of the Church’s Identity

The archaeological team found inscriptions and architectural features consistent with the Church of St. James the Greater. More compellingly, the proximity of the site to Richard III’s known burial place at Greyfriars Friary corroborated the church’s identity.

Radiocarbon dating and artifact analysis confirmed the remains dated back to the late 15th century, aligning perfectly with Richard’s lifetime. shutdown123