King Richard III died from 'hail of blows from medieval weapons'

King Richard III probably died after losing his helmet, researchers said. Credit: PA

King Richard III died from a hail of blows from vicious medieval weapons, according to new research.

Scientists studying his remains believe the last Plantagenet King died after sustaining 11 wounds close to the time of his death - nine of them to his skull.

It suggests the King was not wearing a helmet when he was killed in 1485.

Read: Study: Richard III 'was driven to drink' after coming to power

Richard of York's remains were found under a car park in Leicester in 2012, solving a five-century-old historical mystery.

The King was probably buried without pomp after losing the Battle of Bosworth Field, the last major battle in the War of the Roses, a dynastic civil war which tore England apart for 32 years.

Scientists looked at detailed bone scans and believe he may have been attacked even after his death.

Read: Richard III descendants lose High Court battle over remains

The dig site where the remains of King Richard III were found in Greyfriars, Leicester. Credit: PA

A potentially fatal wound to his pelvis should have been prevented by the armour he was wearing, researchers said.

Professor Guy Rutty, from the University of Leicester, said:

Above all, the evidence suggests he was not the hunchbacked, deformed monstrosity depicted by William Shakespeare.

Experts now know he had a bent spine with a "well balanced curve" that could easily have been concealed by clothing and would not have affected his prowess in battle. He probably did not walk with a limp.