March 18, 2017 | Leave a comment Following on from my earlier story about John Hampden, the English politician and nemesis of King Charles I, during which I mentioned the peculiar English habit of digging up the corpses of important people, long after they had been laid to rest, I decided to look a little deeper into this strange impulsion. Unsurprisingly, it seems, dead monarchs are no exception. Indeed, the chances of a deceased sovereign resting in peace in perpetuity, does not seem to be terribly high. Excluding King Richard III, who’s remains, as you may recall, were discovered underneath a car park in Leicester, England, in 2012 during an archaeological dig, the mortal remains of at least ten other crowned heads have been exhumed over the years. What follows is a brief summary of those disinterments. Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) died on the 5th January 1066, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, which was still under construction at the time. For some reason, Henry I ordered his tomb to be opened in 1102. It was reported that the corpse had not decayed, and this was taken to be a sign of the late King’s saintliness. He was eventually canonised by Pope Alexander III in 1161. Saint Edward, as he was then known, had his eternal rest interrupted again in 1163, this time at the behest of Henry II. The body was found to have been wrapped in a cloth of gold, which Henry quickly appropriated, replacing it with a silk cloth. The gold cloth was subsequently made into ‘three splendid copes’ (capes). The poor old saint, or Jack-in-the-Box, was disturbed again in 1685, when workmen dropped a rafter, which fell into the coffin. A gold chain and an enamelled crucifix were discovered, and given to King James II. These succeeding monarchs seem to have been little better than grave robbers! Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) King John (1166-1216) died on 18th October 1216, and was buried at Worcester Cathedral. His repose lasted until 1797, when purportedly in the interests of academic research, his tomb was opened. The remains of a sword and scabbard lay at his side, and his mortal remains were covered by a robe, the embroidery of which had deteriorated. He was just over 5 ft 6 inches tall. Fascinating stuff I presume, if you’re an academic! King John (1166-1216) Edward I (1239-1307), was also known as Edward Longshanks, owing to the fact that he was a tall man for his time. He died on 7th July 1307 and was interred at Westminster Abbey. His tomb was opened in 1774 by the Society of Antiquaries, presumably out of academic interest. He was richly dressed and had been wrapped in linen cloth. In his right hand was a sceptre, and in his left hand a rod around 5 ft long and a white enamel dove. He was 6 ft 2 inches tall. Reasonably lofty, even by today’s standards. Edward I (1239-1307) Richard II (1367-1400) died in captivity in Pontefract Castle in February 1400, having been deposed by his successor Henry IV. He was initially laid to rest in Kings Langley Church in Hertfordshire, before being moved in 1413 to Westminster Abbey, where he was re-interred next to his wife, Anne. During restoration work in 1871 their tomb was opened. Well, of course it was. The only thing to do when undertaking a bit of restoration work! In addition to the two skeletons, the tomb contained a staff, sceptre, gloves and the remains of shoes. It also appears that a number of relics were taken from the tomb at this time. A cigarette box annotated 31st August 1871, Westminster Abbey, was found recently in the basement of The National Portrait Gallery in London, and contained fragments of wood, fabric and leather. Richard II (1367-1400) This next one takes exhumation to a whole other level. Catherine of Valois (1401-1437) was the wife of Henry V, and died after childbirth on 3rd January 1437. She was buried at Westminster Abbey, where she remained undisturbed until 1667, when she was exhibited to visitors by Abbey staff, in return for payment of a fee! The diarist Samuel Pepys recorded that on a visit, he was permitted to embrace the remains. Even worse, he noted “I had the upper part of her body in my hands, and I did kiss her mouth, reflecting upon it that I did kiss a queen.” Yes, he actually kissed a 230 year old corpse on the mouth. It’s enough to put you off your dinner! Edward IV (1442-1483) died on 9th April 1483, and was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. During restoration work in 1789 his tomb was rediscovered and opened. Naturally! The lead coffin contained his skeleton, some long brown hair, and a dark liquid, presumed to be the result of bodily decomposition. Relics were taken, including locks of hair and a phial of the putrid liquid. Lovely! Edward IV (1442-1483) Edward V (1470-c.1483) reigned for just 86 days, from the death of his father, Edward IV, until succeeded by his uncle, Richard III. Edward and his younger brother Richard, disappeared after being held at the Tower of London. Responsibility for their disappearance was attributed to Richard III, although this has never been proven. In 1674, during work at the Tower, a wooden box was unearthed that contained the skeletal remains of two children. They were eventually re-interred at Westminster Abbey. An examination of the bones in 1933, concluded that they were of the correct ages for the missing brothers. With the discovery of the remains of Richard III in 2012, a sample of DNA from the bones, should be all that is required to settle the matter of the identity of the children once and for all. However, both the Church of England and Queen Elizabeth II have refused to allow forensic testing of the remains, on the basis that it could set a precedent that would lead to multiple royal disinterments. Honestly, the one time that an exhumation would serve a useful purpose, and they veto it! Edward V (1470-1483) Anne Boleyn (1501-1536), second wife of Henry VIII, was executed at the Tower of London on 19th May 1536, having been found guilty of adultery, incest and high treason, despite the evidence against her being highly questionable. She was interred in an unmarked grave in the Chapel of St Peter and Vincula, being the parish church in the vicinity of the Tower. Over the ensuing years the chapel’s pavement began to subside, and in 1876 it was decided to replace it. When the original pavement was lifted, the bones of a female were discovered. A surgeon who examined the remains concluded that they were of a woman about 5 ft 3 inches in height and of a delicate frame of body. Anne Boleyn (1501-1536) Edward VI (1537-1553) died, probably of tuberculosis, on 6th July 1553, and was buried in the Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey. During a survey of the royal burial vaults in 1871, a coffin in poor condition was discovered. A plate on the lid confirmed the remains to be those of Edward VI. Without disturbing the contents, it was noted that the skeleton and remnants of a skull cap were visible. Edward VI (1537-1553) Charles I (1600-1649) was beheaded on 30th January 1649, and his remains were laid to rest in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. For reasons not entirely clear, his coffin was opened in 1813, and his severed head was found to be in remarkable condition. The skin was discoloured, but his beard was in a perfect state of preservation, and many teeth remained in place. The head was, unsurprisingly, found to be loose, and so it was removed and examined. The back of his scalp was in such a good state of preservation that even the pores of the skin were discernible. His hair was dark brown. It also appeared that the executioner had done an excellent job. The fourth cervical vertebra had been sliced through perfectly! Charles I (1600-1649) Source: http://www.abroadintheyard.com/corpses-kings-queens-england-exhumed/