King Richard III was killed by sword thrust from neck to skull

A new study has revealed that King Richard III died quickly from a blow to the base of the skull after losing or removing his helmet at the Battle of Bosworth.

An archaeological autopsy found nine head wounds probably caused by a sword or long dagger and two minor injuries to his body, Discover News reported.

Guy Rutty of East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, based at the University of Leicester, spotted the fatal wound while examining the skull of the last Plantagenet king. At that moment, video producer Carl Vivian was chronicling the investigation for a University of Leicester series of films.

Richard III was killed in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, deposed at the age of just 32 after just two years on the throne by the forces of Henry Tudor, who became King Henry VII. His remains were found in September 2012, more than 500 years after his death, under a Leicester car park.

The deposed king will be reburied next month, with 600 members of the public expected to attend, along with members of the Royal Family.