King-in-the-car-park may have been insecure, study concludes (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

King-in-the-car-park may have been insecure, study concludes

2:07pm Sunday 3rd March 2013 in News By Andy Walker, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

Philippa Langley with a reconstruction of the head of Richard III, based on the bones found in a car park

RESEARCH suggests a medieval king portrayed as murderous may have had an insecure streak.

A study suggests Richard III, who made headlines around the world when his remains were found beneath a car park in Leicester, may have been unfairly maligned.

Philippa Langley, who grew up in Darlington, commissioned new research on behalf of the Richard III Society.

Professor Mark Lansdale and forensic psychologist Julian Booth spent 18 months analyzing records from the king’s lifespan, 1452 to 1485.

Their findings conclude the last of the Plantaganets showed few signs of the traits psychologists would use to identify psychopaths today - including narcissism, deviousness and lack of empathy in close relationships.

The pair say their analysis indicates Richard III was unlikely to have murdered his two nephews, one of whom was to have taken the throne, in the Tower.

They argue he would have been "more likely to have removed them to a secret place of safety".

Prof Lansdale said: “This syndrome is associated with a need to seek security following an insecure childhood, as Richard had “It is associated with a number of positive aspects of personality, including a strong sense of right and wrong, piety, loyalty to trusted colleagues and a belief in legal processes - all exhibited by Richard.”

He seized the throne in 1483 but was killed two years later.