Tag Archives: Archbishop of Canterbury

Medieval Remains found under Abbey Toilets

Remains of at least 50 people, all believed to date from 11th and early 12th century, discovered during demolition work to make space for new tower.

They probably pre-date the construction of Westminster Abbey and were probably moved by the workmen in the 13th century building the new building.

Many of the bones, including skulls and leg bones stacked up into dense piles like firewood, were found under Victorian drainage pipes.

Very macabre!

Source: Westminster Abbey lavatory block gives way to medieval burial find | Science | Th5760e Guardian

No Wonder the Peasant’s Turned on Simon Sudbury during the Peasan’ts Revolt of 1381

From this recent reconstruction of his face he doesn’t look like the most pleasant of characters does he! Over-fed and arrogant are characteristics that spring to mind in fact. You can read more about the reconstruction over on the BBC website.

Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury when he met his violent death during the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381, was just one of the high profile figures who met their end during the uprising. As well as being Archbishop he was also Chancellor of England and seen by many of the peasants as one of the principal instigators of the dreaded poll tax.

Here’s what happened to him and his body afterwards (from Wikipedia):

Sudbury was dragged to Tower Hill and, on 14 June 1381, was beheaded. His body was afterwards buried in Canterbury Cathedral, though his head (after being taken down from London Bridge) is still kept at the church of St Gregory at Sudbury in Suffolk, which Sudbury partly rebuilt.

 

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