Abstract
Nash examines the presence and correct identity of bodies in tombs and coffins, and consequent medical, historical, scientific, and antiquarian interest in them and artefacts found. This may lead to the revision of historical records and theories.
The Society of Antiquaries has played a major part in many important exhumations, leading to new views of embalming and preservation and the knowledge of costume and regalia. Examinations cover those of Tut-an-khamoun, the Princes in the Tower, Richard II and Anne of Bohemia, and Anne Boleyn and other remains found in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, in the Tower.
Exhumations are usually authorised, but there are rogue and chance examples, and some quite illegal and reprehensible, leading to the “Gothic” cult.
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Notes
- 1.
Desroches-Noblecourt, Christiane, Tut-an-khamoun, published by The Connosieur &Michael Joseph (1963) by Penguin (1965) in association with George Rainbird.
- 2.
Desroches-Noblecourt, op. cit., pp. 11, 16, 212; Carter, Howard, and Mace, Arthur, The Tomb of Tut-ank-Amen, Vol. I (1923); Carter, Howard (alone) Vol. II (1927), Vol. III (1933).
- 3.
Weir, Alison, The Princes in the Tower (1992), pp. 18–19.
- 4.
Weir, Alison, quotes, The Princes in the Tower, op. cit.
- 5.
Cheetham, Anthony, Life & Times of Richard III (1972), drawing on Mancini, Dominic, The Usurpation of Richard III, edited by C. A. J. Armstrong (1936).
- 6.
Weir, quoted, p. 249.
- 7.
Francis Sandford (1630–1689), Royal Dragon Pursuivant, College of Arms (1661), Lancaster Herald (1676–1689). Chief work The Genealogical History of the Kings of England (1677).
- 8.
Sir Thomas Chicely (1618–1699), Master of the Ordinance (1670–1674), MP for Cambridge.
- 9.
John Gibson (1629–1718), Heraldry writer, Bluemantle (1671).
- 10.
Quoted from Wren’s Parentalia, p. 333, and also given by Tanner, p. 8, n. 4; but Morgan suggests that Wren’s account may be secondhand.
- 11.
Knight’s London, Vol. II, The Tower, by Sanders, J., quoted in Strickland, Lives of the Bachelor Kings of England (1861), pp. 187–9.
- 12.
Dr. Northcroft (1869–1943) died on November 17, 1943, in London. He was thus 63 years old when he examined the bones.
- 13.
Jenkins, Elizabeth, Princes in the Tower.
- 14.
Malden, H.G., The Cely Papers (1900).
- 15.
Watson, Bruce, Transactions of the London & Middlesex Archaeological Society.
- 16.
Mouat, Dr. Frederic J. (1816–1897) a British surgeon, chemist, and prison reformer. He had returned from India, where he had spent 30 years, and started a new career, as an inspector for the Local Government Board.
- 17.
Bell, D.C., Notices of Historic Persons Buried in the Tower (1877), p. 21; Hammond, Peter, Tower of London (1987), Department of the Environment, pp. 34–5.
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Nash, M.L. (2019). Identity & Investigation: I. In: The History and Politics of Exhumation. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24047-9_4
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