Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests/Exhumation of Richard III of England

Exhumation of Richard III of England

 * This is the archived discussion of the TFAR nomination for the article below. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests). Please do not modify this page. 

The result was: scheduled for Today's featured article/March 26, 2015 by Brianboulton (talk) 23:15, 5 March 2015 (UTC)



The exhumation of Richard III of England in September 2012 and his reburial in Leicester Cathedral on 26 March 2015 took place over 500 years after his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Richard was originally buried in Leicester's Greyfriars Friary, but the site of his grave was forgotten after the friary was demolished and it was generally believed that his bones had been thrown into the nearby River Soar. In September 2012, an archaeological excavation took place at the site of the friary and a skeleton was discovered of a man with a spinal deformity and severe head injuries. He appeared to have been hastily buried without a coffin in a crudely cut grave. Analysis of the bones showed that he had been killed by edged weapons cutting open his skull and piercing his brain. DNA tests and radiocarbon dating confirmed that the skeleton was that of Richard III. Leicester Cathedral was chosen as the site of Richard's reburial, though some argued that York Minster or Westminster Abbey would be more suitable locations. The reinterment in an ecumenical Christian service at the cathedral, and the unveiling of his tomb, were scheduled for the end of a week's commemorations.
 * Most recent similar article(s):
 * Main editors: Prioryman
 * Promoted: 28 February 2015
 * Reasons for nomination: Richard III is being reburied on this date. The ceremony is being broadcast live and will attract worldwide interest. This article will be an excellent companion to the media coverage and will likewise attract widespread readership.
 * Support as nominator. Prioryman (talk) 09:15, 1 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Support, spot on, - but we can probably say "took place" only after it happened, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:31, 1 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Comment: For clarity, I would add the words "in September 2012" after "exhumation of Richard III of England", and delete the word "subsequent". I take Gerda's point, but I don't honestly think it matters, for the few hours for which it is pertinent. Brianboulton (talk) 14:43, 1 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Good point Brian, I've made that change. Prioryman (talk) 16:00, 1 March 2015 (UTC)


 * Support. I might also suggest that the carbon-14 link might be better directed to radiocarbon dating, though I should disclose that I'm the primary author of that article so may be biased. Mike Christie (talk - contribs -  library) 21:03, 1 March 2015 (UTC)
 * That's a good idea, I've modified the blurb to link to that article. Prioryman (talk) 19:49, 2 March 2015 (UTC)


 * Support —  Cliftonian   (talk)  13:55, 2 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Support Absolutely.♦ Dr. Blofeld  20:45, 2 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Support - Couldn't agree more. Also, I added a link to Richard's article, there wasn't one beforehand at all in the blurb and it seems very likely that the average reader will want to direct link to his article on the day to read about him. SamWilson989 (talk) 21:39, 2 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Support - it would be a shame to miss this historic occasion. I've added a link in the blurb to Ecumenism and a couple of commas. Richerman    (talk) 23:51, 2 March 2015 (UTC)
 * I've done some minor copy editing to the text - please check that you're happy with it. Richerman    (talk) 10:05, 3 March 2015 (UTC)


 * Support I followed the news event, and participated in this article's acceptance at FAC, and it's not only accurately representative of the story behind the story, but also a beautifully written article.  auntieruth (talk) 13:51, 4 March 2015 (UTC)
 * Support - an excellent idea. Hchc2009 (talk) 18:35, 4 March 2015 (UTC)