Did Richard III undergo painful treatment for spine?
Portrait of King Richard III Credit: University of Leicester
King Richard the Third, whose bones were discovered in a car park in Leicester, could have undergone painful medical treatments for his spinal curvature, according to research from a University of Leicesterresearcher.
In the late medieval period, one of the cures for spinal curvature, or scoliosis, was "traction". Traction worked on the same principle on which “the Rack” worked as an instrument of torture.
The patient would be tied under the armpits and round the legs. The ropes were then pulled at either end, often on a wooden roller, to stretch the patient’s spine.
Richard III would certainly have been able to afford this expensive medical care – and his physicians would have been well aware of the standard “traction” methods for treating the condition.
Midlands hospitals ready to take on patients from Leeds
Surgeons in theatre Credit: PA
Birmingham Children's Hospital and Glenfield Hospital in Leicester say they are ready to take on patients from Leeds General Infirmary.
Children's congenital heart surgery service has been suspended at the Yorkshire hospital whilst an internal review is carried out by the Care Quality Commission.
It's after data suggested a death rate twice the national average.
Giles Peak is the Head of Children's Heart Surgery at Glenfield Hospital. He has confirmed to ITV News Central that the hospital is ready to take on patients that need surgery.
He is awaiting a decision to be made in Leeds as to where the patients need to go.
A spokesperson for Birmingham Children's Hospital said they were also ready to take on patients in urgent cases, should the need arise.
Video: York Minster receives 'abusive' Richard III letters
There have been calls for calm in the ongoing row over the reburial of King Richard Third - whose remains were discovered under a council car park in Leicester.
Passions s are running so high to have him buried in York Minster that abusive letters have been sent to the city's Dean - and referred to police.
He is due be re-interred at Leicester Cathedral next year despite campaigns to bring him to York.
King Richard III did a lot for York and the North of England and during his life made arrangements to be buried here. He was not well treated in Leicester after his death and I think his soul would rest in peace back in York.
It is dreadful that some people are still fighting the War of the Roses. We should seek reconciliation, wherever Richard is reburied. I want the Government to set up an independent committee to decide how, where and when the reburial takes place, and to involve both cities and people from both North and South.
The face of Richard III officially unveiled to the world's media
After centuries of speculation, the face of King Richard III has been unveiled
A reconstruction of the head of King Richard III has been unveiled to the world's media in London following yesterday's announcement that his skeleton had been found under a Leicester car park.
The model was built using a CT scan taken of the king's skull by the archaeological dig.
The University of Leicester releases an image of the first full picture of the skeleton believed to be Richard III. Credit: University of Leicester
The University of Leicester has released an image of the first full picture of the uncovered skeleton thought to be Richard III, ahead a news conference this morning to confirm whether or not the remains belong to the late king.
