he recreated face of Richard III whose bones were found under a car park in Leicester... Michael Ibsen, 17th great-grand-nephew
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The coffin containing the remains of Richard III will be made by his 17th great-grandnephew.
Canadian-born carpenter Michael Ibsen, 57, has been given the honour of creating the casket in which the king's bones will be buried next spring.
Michael's DNA was invaluable in identifying the bones of the last Plantagenet king – and helped the University of Leicester prove beyond reasonable doubt it had made one of the greatest archaeological finds of recent times.
The Dean of Leicester, the Very Rev David Monteith, announced Michael's inclusion in the project at Leicester Cathedral yesterday during the unveiling of the final tomb designs.
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He described the king's final resting place at St Martin's as "distinctive, elegant and imbued with spirituality".
Michael, who lives in London, said: "I was touched when they asked me to do it.
"I think it has a lovely resonance that I'm making a coffin for a distant relative. It's a real honour."
The coffin will be of English oak and contain the bones in an ossuary.
They will be sealed in a brick vault covered with a Kilkenny stone plinth and Swaledale stone block – carved with a deep cross.
"There's no specific design for the coffin just yet," said Michael. "It's kind of in my imagination at the minute.
"In this situation it's not really a true coffin, because his remains will be in a lead ossuary. What I'm going to be making is more of a casket."
Michael, a carpenter for 25 years, said medieval design techniques were not dissimilar to contemporary cabinet making.
He said: "From what I found out, coffins at that time were just nailed together – I obviously plan to be a bit more creative than that.
"The designs aren't final, but it's going to made from English oak, which again I think has a lovely resonance.
"What could be more fitting for a former King of England?"
Mr Monteith said: "Michael was central in the identification of the remains of Richard III and, rather extraordinarily, his day job is as a very fine carpenter.
"It just seems a very appropriate way to bring this part of the story to completion."
The Dean gave an update on the cost of alterations to the cathedral and the reinterment.
The budget will be £2.5 million, which includes £500,000 from the diocese and £100,000 from donations taken via a website.
Mr Monteith said: "It's more than we originally spoke of, but those of you who are aware of other national events, such as royal weddings, will realise it's rather a small sum in comparison."
He confirmed the Plantagenet Alliance would not be appealing the High Court judgement which found the University of Leicester had the right to choose the cathedral as the king's final resting place.
Work on the cathedral reordering and tomb will take place once the Cathedral Gardens project is complete – which is expected on July 5.
Donations towards the tomb can made via:
wwwkingrichardinleicester.com
• What do you think of the final designs for Richard III's tomb? Vote in our poll on the right of this page and leave you comments below.
Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/King- … 6m1cICI.99
, наконец то Ричард и Энн вышли на первый план, столько всего интересного и интригующего произошло, самые для меня страшные вещи были это удушение подушкой безумного короля, и конечно казнь Джорджа, который сам себе выбрал как ему отойти в мир иной, зрелище не из приятных, самый не везучий из сыновей Йорков.
, мне её тоже было жаль 
, а ещё 2 сына от первого брака, в сериале ни сколько не состарилась, только причёску и платье носит по скромнее.
, даже Сесилия мама Йорков и то выглядит благороднее хоть и стара.
может Мартин с нее нашу Даэнерис списывал? 
