Search for remains of King Harold could be over

The search, which is being documented by the team behind the discovery of Richard III’s remains in 2012, has been put on hold after an application to exhume the grave believed to be the final resting place of the king was turned down.

Author Peter Burke, who is sponsoring the documentary, launched the search in October following years of research, which had led him to believe that King Harold was buried below a wall in the Abbey Gardens of Waltham Abbey.

The historian proposed that Harold Godwinson did not die at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, as generally believed, but lived on for another 40 years as a hermit near the abbey which used to stand on the site.    

The initial ground scan discovered an unmarked grave in the Abbey Gardens.

Following an initial ground scan in the gardens, the search team concluded they had found an unmarked grave close to markings highlighted by Mr Burke on an ancient wall in the grounds of Waltham Abbey Church in January.

Despite the discovery, the application, which was submitted to English Heritage in March, was branded "an inadequate reason to disturb an unmarked grave".

Mr Burke said: "I am very frustrated and extremely gutted.

"I have been researching this for years and I am convinced that we have found something there that needs looking at.

"The licence was refused because English Heritage believe my research is not a good enough reason to disturb a grave.

"I think they are missing the point.

"There is an international interest behind this search.

"I will reapply because I believe what we have found is genuine.

"It will be a while before we can move forward now though."

Mr Burke said he has been left 'gutted' by the decision to reject the application.

The two-part documentary, which was due to be aired at the end of the month, has also been postponed.

It is set to be re-scheduled to appear on either BBC, ITV or Channel 4 later in 2015.