Richard III had stomach worms, research reveals

Richard III suffered from a roundworm infection, according to research carried out on his skeleton.

The remains of the king, who ruled England from 1483-85, were discovered last year under a council car park in Leicester.

Cambridge University researchers used a powerful microscope to examine soil samples from his pelvis and skull as well as soil surrounding the grave.

They found multiple roundworm eggs in the pelvis sample. But there was no sign of eggs in soil from the skull and few around the grave, suggesting a roundworm infection rather than contamination by later dumping of human waste in the area.

PA