State-of-the-art technology has revealed what King Richard III may have sounded like, giving insight into his voice at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Created by a team of specialists over a decade, the project re-created the medieval king’s voice as having a common and earthy twang rather than the upper-class tones of his successors. The project was based on evidence gathered from various fields like dentistry, physiotherapy, and linguistics. The aim was to create an accurate representation of Richard III, who was a king of England for only two years before his death. The discovery of his skeleton in 2012 debunked myths propagated by Shakespeare, like being a hunchback. The project also enlisted an actor to play the avatar of the king, bringing him to life. Philippa Langley, involved in the project from the beginning, studied letters and descriptions of Richard III to determine his character, providing a more accurate portrayal. The project has been praised for its innovative approach in exploring historical figures beyond what can be learned from skeletons alone. Linguist David Crystal has suggested the possibility of similar projects for other famous figures, sparking interest in the re-creation of historical voices. The project offers a unique glimpse into the past, allowing for a better understanding of historical figures like King Richard III.
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Cutting-edge technology brings back King Richard III’s voice
