The Gentleman's Magazine Library; A Classified Collection of the Chief Contents of the Gentleman's Magazine from 1731 to 1868, Ed. by G.L. Gomme (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897. Excerpt: ... first and last found were fenced round with rough stones, such as the bank would afford, in the shape of the remains, under and over which stones were also placed. In these instances the head and foot stones were chipped round. Two small fragments of metal were found in the first of these graves, and two small copper coins and portions of an earthen crock or jar were elsewhere discovered during the removal of the bank. All these remains were about three feet below the surface, with the exception of one skull, which was found (without any bones) at a greater depth. The teeth were generally sound. There are no parish records nor even a tradition to throw light upon the cause of the bodies being buried there. The nature of the ground negatives the idea that any religious house was near the site, or that even the village, though existing from the time of the Saxons, could never have extended in this north-west direction. The foregoing account appeared in the Lincoln Mercury on June 8. Since then I have been informed by a person said to be skilled in old coins that of the two found one is a common foreign piece of the seventeenth century, and the other a tradesman's token of about 1650. This so much confirms my previous conjecture, that I cannot but conclude that these skeletons were so many slain in the Great Rebellion about the period when Burley House (on the Hill) was burnt by the rebels, and also Great Luffenham manor-house plundered. The ground would seem never to have been disturbed but for the burial of these remains. The jar was also broken when discovered. The bottom measures four inches across, and I should conclude, from the remaining fragments, that it might have stood a foot or thirteen inches, and have been nine or ten inches at its swell. C. El...