A stone coffin that was unearthed at the same site as the remains of King Richard III - a car park in Leicester - may be opened by archaeologists.
The coffin was unearthed during the first excavation work of Richard III's remains in September 2012.
The lead-lined coffin was discovered when the first excavation was carried out last year but it was left undisturbed while work concentrated on the king's burial spot
It is believed that it was buried in the 14th Century, over 100 years before Richard was killed in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and buried at the Grey Friars Church, which occupied the site where the car park is now situated.
Experts aren't sure who is buried inside the coffin, but suspect it could belong to one of three prestigious figures known to be buried at the friary.
These include two leaders of the English Grey Friars order - Peter Swynsfeld, who died in 1272, and William of Nottingham, who died in 1330.
Records also suggest the friary contains the grave of ‘a knight called Mutton, sometime mayor of Leicester’.
This may be 14th century knight Sir William de Moton of Peckleton, who died between 1356 and 1362.
Grey Friars site director Mathew Morris, of the University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS), said: 'Stone coffins are unusual in Leicester – and this is the first time we have found a fully intact stone coffin during all our excavations of medieval sites in the city. I am excited that it appears to be intact.'
Richard III's remains were discovered underneath a car park in Leicester last year
'We plan to get a plan of the coffin by measuring it and taking photos. Then we will lift the lid up to see what is inside.
The ULAS team also hope the new dig will help to uncover more details about Richard III’s burial and its place within the Grey Friars church, as well as a much clearer picture of the church’s layout, dimensions and architecture.
Experts are investigating the remains of a group of friars who were beheaded by Henry IV in the early 15th century too.
The story suggests they met their end after they subscribed to the rumour that the deposed King Richard II was still alive and were providing money for rebels who aimed to topple his successor, Henry IV.
Read more: Stone coffin at Richard III site set to be opened - and experts say it could contain the remains of a 14th century knight | Mail Online
The coffin was unearthed during the first excavation work of Richard III's remains in September 2012.
The lead-lined coffin was discovered when the first excavation was carried out last year but it was left undisturbed while work concentrated on the king's burial spot
It is believed that it was buried in the 14th Century, over 100 years before Richard was killed in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 and buried at the Grey Friars Church, which occupied the site where the car park is now situated.
Experts aren't sure who is buried inside the coffin, but suspect it could belong to one of three prestigious figures known to be buried at the friary.
These include two leaders of the English Grey Friars order - Peter Swynsfeld, who died in 1272, and William of Nottingham, who died in 1330.
Records also suggest the friary contains the grave of ‘a knight called Mutton, sometime mayor of Leicester’.
This may be 14th century knight Sir William de Moton of Peckleton, who died between 1356 and 1362.
Grey Friars site director Mathew Morris, of the University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS), said: 'Stone coffins are unusual in Leicester – and this is the first time we have found a fully intact stone coffin during all our excavations of medieval sites in the city. I am excited that it appears to be intact.'
Richard III's remains were discovered underneath a car park in Leicester last year
'We plan to get a plan of the coffin by measuring it and taking photos. Then we will lift the lid up to see what is inside.
The ULAS team also hope the new dig will help to uncover more details about Richard III’s burial and its place within the Grey Friars church, as well as a much clearer picture of the church’s layout, dimensions and architecture.
Experts are investigating the remains of a group of friars who were beheaded by Henry IV in the early 15th century too.
The story suggests they met their end after they subscribed to the rumour that the deposed King Richard II was still alive and were providing money for rebels who aimed to topple his successor, Henry IV.
Read more: Stone coffin at Richard III site set to be opened - and experts say it could contain the remains of a 14th century knight | Mail Online