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UK News

After King Richard, could St Edmund be next?

The city of Leicester, famous for crisps and a fairytale story of its football team winning the Premier League, was also put firmly on the map when the remains of Richard III were found buried there.

Now, the market town of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk is looking like it could follow suit.

King Richard's remains were dug up from under a car park, while officials in Bury St Edmunds believe the remains of ninth century Saint Edmund (hence the town's name) could be buried under two tennis courts.

The site was once home to a monks' cemetry in what are now known as Abbey Gardens. There was also a shrine to Edmund but during Henry VIII's reign, and the dissolution of monastries, the remains were lost.

Local council officials are looking at moving the courts to allow archaeologists to carry out a dig. Councillor Robert Everitt is in charge of the project and says it would be a very important historical discovery if he was found under there.

Local historian Francis Young said it was likely the commissioners would have allowed the monks to remove the body from the shrine and relocate it when the Abbey was dissolved in the 16th century.

The story of Edmund is one of a brave king who was killed by Vikings for refusing to denounce his Christianity. His head and body parts were then scattered but legend has it that they were reunited thanks to a wolf.

St Edmund's fame was so great, followers flocked to the shrine and he even became Patron Saint of England for a time before being dumped in favour of St George.

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