The head of King Richard III is to go on display in Northampton later this year, it has been revealed.
A reconstruction of the head and face of the famous Northamptonshire-born King, whose body was discovered in Leicester last year, is coming to Northampton in October as part of a nationwide tour that starting in Leicester.
King Richard III was born at Fotheringhay Castle (pictured), near Oundle.
The replica head – which has been made from detailed scans of King’s Richard’s skull – was revealed to the public for the first time in the Channel 4 documentary ‘The King in the Car Park’ earlier this year.
It was commissioned by the Richard III Society and constructed using details from the king’s skull following the discovery of his remains beneath the Greyfriars car park, in August 2012, by a team of archaeologists from the University of Leicester.
It was created by the forensic art team of the University of Dundee and offers “the most accurate interpretation yet of what King Richard could have looked like in life”.
The exhibition will be at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery from October 19 this year until January 5, 2014.
Councillor Brandon Eldred, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member responsible for museums, said: “King Richard’s story is a fascinating one.
“He was born in Fotheringhay Castle, in Northamptonshire, and so it seems fitting that we host this very special exhibition.
“As well as the replica head, which is absolutely incredible, the display will feature other exhibits that give greater understanding and meaning to the king’s connections with our county. I urge people not to miss this and to mark the dates in their diaries now.”
As well as Northampton and Leicester, the head will also be displayed at Bosworth Battlefield, York and the British Museum, in London.
Following the tour, it will return to Leicester to go on permanent display at the city’s new Richard III visitor centre.
For more details about the replica head and to find out more about the search for King Richard III visit www.visitleicester.info/richardIII