When the discovery of the bones was announced, it was confirmed they showed signs of major head trauma. After more than four months of study, the research team has drawn its first conclusions.

Of 10 injuries visible on the skeleton there are eight on the skull alone.

University of Leicester osteo-archaeologist, Dr Jo Appleby said the most obvious damage was at the back of the skull.

"The appearance of this injury is typical of an attack with a large-bladed weapon which was sufficiently sharp to slice off a large area of bone from near the base of the skull.

"Although we cannot identify the specific weapon that caused this injury, it would be consistent with a halberd or similar weapon.

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"This wound is likely to have been fatal, although that would have depended on exactly how far the blade penetrated into the brain."

A second wound on the other side of the spine indicates where a blade was forced deep into the skull.

Another wound had taken a small chunk out of the top of the head.

"This wound was caused by something hitting the top of the skull sufficiently hard to push in two flaps of bone on the inside surface. Although it looks dramatic, this wound would probably not have been fatal," said Dr Appleby.

She added: "We have evidence of significant injuries on the skeleton, but we cannot conclusively prove that they were the cause of death.

"There are many ways of killing someone that leave no traces on the bones, even in a battle situation."