Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/291

Rh Part of a staff, resembling the remains of the crosier in the hand of the effigy, was found, with fragments of vessels of glass, earthenware, and other objects in the loose earth probably thrown into the grave when previously opened, A layer of black mould, an inch in thickness, visible on each side of the grave, with iron nails found amongst it, indicated that the remains of the bishop had been deposited in a plain wooden chest, not in a stone or leaden coffin. This appeared fully to accord with the narrative of his biographer, Ralph de Bocking, in regard to the simple and humble notions of the bishop. The bones were not disturbed: the form of the skull resembled that of the head of the sculptured effigy: the arms were crossed upon the body. The head of the pastoral staff was sought for in vain; it had, probably, been taken away when the grave was formerly opened. Considerable traces of rich colouring were found by Mr. Richardson on the vestments, and on every part of this interesting tomb : no attempt to restore these decorations has been made. The oaken screen, which protected the shrine of St. Richard, still exists in the chapter-room of the cathedral.

The remains of hazel-wands described by Mr. Richardson, if they may be regarded as tokens of pilgrimage, are deserving of notice. Similar staves, preserved and deposited in the graves of ecclesiastics, in Hereford cathedral, have been found in several instances, as related by the dean of Hereford; Archæologia, vol. xxx. Such a hazel-wand, roughly trimmed, as if cut by the way-side, lay in the tomb of Richard Mayo, bishop of Hereford, with sea-shells, tokens, as supposed, of a pilgrimage to St. James, made when that prelate was sent to escort Catherine of Aragon, the affianced bride of Prince Arthur, son of Henry VH., on her arrival in England. No other instance of a similar usage appears to have been noticed.

The following communication of some curious details connected with a singular discovery in the church of Kingswear, Devon, is due to Arthur Holdsworth, Esq., and the Rev. John Smart, incumbent of the parish. That small church, adjoining to Dartmouth harbour, was in the patronage of the Premonstratensian canons of Torr, and it was served by a priest appointed by that house; some have supposed that he resided in the tower, as there is a fireplace on the first story, with a chimney passing up through the wall, and terminating in one of the battlements. The church had become decayed, and has been taken down, with the exception of the tower. The south wall was removed to the foundation, and, in so doing, a grave was found just within the chancel screen, a little eastward of a door leading to the rood-loft. This grave was double, 4 ft. wide, by 7 ft. long, and sunk a few feet deeper than the foundation ; bones of a tall man were found in it, with a piece of leather of sufficient size to give the impression that the corpse had been wrapped in that material. Unfortunately, as it was known that, in 1604, Kingswear had been afflicted by malignant disease, when 145 corpses were interred, Mr. Smart directed that all remains should forthwith be reburied, and in consequence the contents of this grave were removed, without careful examination. When it had been cleared out, a cavity appeared in its side, leading through the natural soil under the foundations, of sufficient size to