King Richard III 500-year-old skeleton found found, University of Leicester researchers say

LEICESTER, England - Scientists say they have found the 500-year-old remains of England's King Richard III under a parking lot in the city of Leicester.

University of Leicester researchers say it is "beyond reasonable doubt" that a battle-scarred skeleton unearthed last year is the king, who died at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

Osteologist Jo Appleby said Monday that a study of the bones provides "a highly convincing case for identification of Richard III."

And DNA from the skeleton matches a sample taken from a distant living relative.

The last English monarch to die in battle, Richard was depicted in a play by William Shakespeare as a hunchbacked usurper who left a trail of bodies -- including those of his two princely nephews, murdered in the Tower of London -- on his way to the throne.

Many historians say that villainous image is unfair.