Since then, forensic reconstruction has shown us what Richard looked like—remarkably like his portrait—and sporting experiments with Dominic Smee, a teacher who shares Richard’s S-shaped curvature of the spine, have proved that the somewhat crooked king could indeed have worn armor, ridden a horse, and wielded a sword, lance, halberd, and/or battleaxe. Even more recent experiments have shown us what the slaughtered monarch ate.

Our dietary sins live on after us. Analyses of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes from Richard’s teeth, rib, and thigh bones by researchers at the University of Leicester and the British Geological Survey show that Richard, once seated on the throne, enjoyed high living. During his short 26 months as king (1481-1485), he ate great meals. His meat