Wars of the Roses part II: Richard III battle goes to court

Relatives of the monarch have brought the action in what has been described as “the (legal) Wars of the Roses Part 2”.

After his remains were dug up last year, the council had planned for them to be re-interred at the city’s cathedral.

Read more: Richard III revealed - King in the Car Park in pictures

But the relatives have formed the Plantagenet Alliance Ltd to fight for the remains to be buried at York Minster, claiming it was the King’s wish.

A High Court judge previously gave the Alliance permission to bring judicial review proceedings against the Justice Secretary and the University of Leicester.

The legal challenge concerns the Justice Secretary’s failure to consult before giving archaeologists from the University of Leicester licence to excavate and to decide where the bones should be reburied.

Leicester car park

Richard was killed at the battle of Bosworth in 1485 – ending the Wars of the Roses and the Plantagenet dynasty – and his body was taken to Leicester by supporters of the victorious Henry VII and buried in Greyfriars church.

His remains were found under the car park owned by Leicester City Council on the former site of the church.

Under the terms of the licence to dig up the remains granted by the Justice Secretary, the university has decided that Richard should be re-interred at Leicester Cathedral.

The Alliance argues the minister failed to comply with a duty in law to consult “relevant interests”, including the king’s relatives, as to how, and where, his remains should be reburied.