London - Two English cities are doing battle over the bones of King Richard III.
This week scientists announced that a skeleton found under a parking lot in the city of Leicester belonged to the king, who died in 1485. Officials say he will now be reburied in Leicester Cathedral.
But York, 100 miles (160 kilometres) to the north, is laying claim to the monarch, who belonged to the House of York and had strong ties to the city.
York City Council said on Wednesday that it is writing to the government and Queen Elizabeth II, arguing that “one of the city's most famous and cherished sons” should be buried there.
Leicester is refusing to yield, and the two cities have launched rival petitions to the government that have gathered thousands of signatures. - Sapa-AP