The DNA profile of King Richard III of England
Are you related to King Richard III of England?
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The DNA of King Richard III of England
Richard III, King of England, is one of the most controversial figures in British history. Born on October 2, 1452, he ruled from 1483 to 1485 until he was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth by Henry Tudor, later King Henry VII. Richard was the last king from the House of Plantagenet and his death is often considered the end of the Middle Ages in England.
Richard III was the youngest surviving son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, and Cecily Neville. His siblings included Edward IV, king from 1461 to 1470 and from 1471 to 1483, and George, Duke of Clarence. These Plantagenet descendants were closely involved in the power struggle of the Wars of the Roses, a bitter dispute between the houses of York and Lancaster over the English crown.
Richard III had a notable physical disability, his back was curved, possibly due to scoliosis. However, this did not detract from his ability to hold the throne and fight in battle. Richard is also remembered for the drama "Richard III" by William Shakespeare, in which he is portrayed as a power-hungry schemer and murderer.
Coming to power through the declaration of his two nephews, the so-called "Princes in the Tower," as illegitimate and their subsequent presumed murder, Richard's reign was marked by unrest and rebellion. Richard's reign ultimately led to the establishment of the House of Tudor and a new era in English history.
In August 2012, the excavation of Richard III's presumed tomb took place in a parking lot in Leicester. DNA analysis confirmed the identity of the remains in February 2013. The findings from this analysis helped to greatly expand our understanding of Richard III, his origins, and his health.
The DNA analysis was also able to debunk circulating rumors about Richard's paternal lineage. Based on analysis of the male Y chromosome, researchers determined that a discrepancy exists between Richard's Y chromosome and some of his current descendants in direct, pure male lineage.
Evaluation of mitochondrial DNA, which is passed only from mother to child, revealed a match between the remains of King Richard III and the descendants of his sister, Anne of York. This confirmed the maternal lineage of the king.
Regarding the paternal line, it turned out that Richard belonged to haplogroup G-P287. A haplogroup is a group of genes in an organism that are inherited together and allow for considerations of relatedness. Belonging to this specific haplogroup is relatively rare in Western Europe and contradicts genealogical records that claim Richard came from Plantagenet - a family belonging to haplogroup R1b.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the heritability and DNA results of Richard III shows how cutting-edge science can help clarify and even change our ideas about historical figures. Research on Richard III has greatly expanded our understanding of him and his times, allowing us to reconstruct one of England's most famous histories.
King Richard III of England belonged to haplogroup G in the paternal line and to haplogroup J in the maternal line.
Donning the Crown: My Unveiled Ancestral Connection to King Richard III
Embracing the iGENEA DNA testing journey, I discovered a startling ancestral connection to King Richard III. This riveting surprise led to a deeper understanding of my roots and an unforgettable personal journey. (I. Croom)
Upon receiving my DNA testing kit from iGENEA, I was dubious about the memories it would unlock. There was trepidation mixed with anticipation as I swabbed the inside of my cheek, sealing it back into the envelope to send it off for analysis. Like many, I was curious about my personal history, but little did I know that my DNA would reveal a connection to a name that has lived on for centuries - King Richard III of England.
iGENEA provided a seamless experience from the start, with comprehensive instructions making the collection process a breeze, and the waiting period proved surprisingly short. It wasn’t long before I found myself delving into the echoes of my past through the comprehensive results they provided.
Through detailed ancestral graphs and spelled-out genetic statistics, there it was, a common thread that traced its route back to the infamous king. A distant relative, yes, but a relative nonetheless. I was astounded. My connection to King Richard III extended further than sharing a love for Shakespeare's works. I was directly linked to the very man who inspired them.
There are moments in life that freeze you in your tracks and make you reassess your existence. This was one such moment. I delved deeper into the life of King Richard III with an urgency I did not have before. This was a man from my lineage, a man who had actually been ruler of England.
iGENEA not only provides you with the dry facts of your genetic history but also helps you track your lineage through historical events, making the whole journey an exciting, emotional, and enlightening experience. The connection to such a prominent figure in history stirred in me a sense of pride, but also questions. What other surprises were lurking in my family tree?
I spent sleepless nights toiling over every historical document available, reading up on my distant cousin's deeds, misdeeds, and that fateful day at Bosworth Field. As someone always interested in history, this twist made it exponentially more fascinating.
Finding out that I am related to King Richard III through iGENEA gave me a richer awareness of myself and my heritage. To think that the blood flowing in my veins once belonged to royalty, is a humbling and awe-inspiring knowledge. My experience with iGENEA was nothing short of empowering, and I recommend it to everyone seeking their own thrilling revelation about their ancestors.
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Questions and answers about the DNA test
How long does a DNA origin analysis take?
After we have received the samples it normally takes 6 weeks for the fist results. Depending on the chosen test the result is thus already fully ready or further analysis are done.
How can I order a DNA origin analysis for someone else?
If you order and pay for a test set for somebody else online, the address of the other person under “Comments”. We will then send the collection kit to the address of this person. You can also place your order by phone or e-mail.
This is how the DNA origin analysis works
A Mucus Sample suffices to get a sample of your DNA. Taking the sample is simple and painless and can be done at home. Send the samples with the envelop included in the sampling kit.
at home, simple and painless
with the enclosed envelope
online after approx. 6-8 weeks