Richard II has a new grave

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Q.� How so

A.� Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of Black Friars' Church, burial site of many revered figures of medieval Britain, during excavations for a shopping centre.

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Q.� And who was Richard

A.� The last undisputed Plantagenet king. Grandson of the powerful Edward III, and son of the Black Prince, he came to the throne in 1377 at the age of 10. At 14 he suppressed the Peasants' Revolt ... but was thought to be a weak ruler and became known for his indecisiveness. His cousin removed him from the throne in 1399 and took the crown as Henry IV.

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Q.� What happened to Richard

A.� He was imprisoned in Pontefract Castle in 1400, where it was recorded that he died - probably of starvation. The body was put on show and buried at King's Langley, Hertfordshire, to prevent a cult developing around the deposed King. However, the rumour spread that Richard was still alive - and Henry feared Richard's supporters would start a rebellion to depose him.

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Q.� So what did he do

A.� Henry issued a decree that anyone whop believed in Richard's escape was guilty of high treason. But - suspiciously - he also issued a proclamation that 'if Richard is alive as he is said to be, then he is to be held'. And when Henry V came to the throne in 1413 he tried to quash the rumours by bringing Richard's body from Hertfordshire to Westminster Abbey, where it was buried.

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Q.� So where does Stirling come into this

A.� It's possible that one of the rumours is true - that Richard did not die but, disguised as a monk, was spirited north of the border by supporters. Contemporary reports suggest that a man believed to be Richard was held at Stirling Castle by the Duke of Albany, Governor of Scotland. In 1402 Albany wrote to Henry saying he had Richard.

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Q.� Then ...

A.� 'Richard' was denounced as a pretender called Thomas Ward, of Trumpington, Cambridge, who lived in grand style at Albany's expense. Then this man - pretender or not - died. Walter Bower, a contemporary Scottish writer, said: 'Richard the Second, King of England, died in the castle of Stirling ... and was buried on the north side of the High Altar of the Preaching Friars [Black Friars]'.

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Q.� Has a body been found

A.� Plenty, but not Richard's - yet. Archaeologists are interested in the high altar and its north side, where they hope to find a grave with an epitaph and portrait of Richard.

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Q.� How can they be sure

A.� DNA tests will decide if it is Richard. They could be compared with the body of Richard's father, the Black Prince, who is buried at Canterbury Cathedral. Ron Page, a consultant archaeologist working on the site, said: 'All the evidence points to the skeleton buried there being that of Richard II. I hope to prove whether the skeleton of an English king has lain in an unmarked grave for more than 600 years, or whether the man who Albany held at Stirling Castle, and who caused such a panic to Henry, was an impostor.'

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Q.� But what of the body that was moved from Hertfordshire to Westminster Abbey

A.� Dean Stanley looked in the tomb in 1871 and found a 6ft skeleton. Richard was a much smaller man.

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Steve Cunningham