Abstract
Nash examines the “blockbuster exhumation” of Richard III and its effect on the public imagination. He emphasises the new techniques, especially DNA and tomography.
He covers fear of superstitious reprisal, chance findings, the role of the Society of Antiquaries, and the revelations of exhumation, such as embalming, remains of costume, jewels, and regalia in tombs. The question of tomb theft and the keeping of “souvenirs” is a current theme, representing a temptation to all classes in society.
Nash stresses that there is not exhumation for its own sake but for adequate and good reason and the reluctance to allow multiple examinations of bodies.
In all the exhumations, Nash considers the “back stories” of the individuals involved.
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Notes
- 1.
The Guardian, 23 May 2015.
- 2.
A skeleton found in Canterbury cathedral in 1888: See Chap. 3: Retribution and Reparation.
- 3.
The discovery of the coffin of the infant Duchess of York, 1965. See Watson, Bruce, Society of Antiquaries Address, February 2019 & Chap. 2.
- 4.
Remains of five “lost” Archbishops of Canterbury found, BBC News Daily, 16 April 2017.
- 5.
Secret History, Channel 4, 18 March 2019.
- 6.
Joe Clay, in his commentary on the programme, 18 March 2019. The present writer was himself a presenter for the Mary Rose Trust for many years until 2002, giving over one hundred lectures.
- 7.
“Queen’s bones found in Winchester Cathedral royal chests”: BBC Regional News (Hampshire and the Isle of Wight), May 16, 2019.
- 8.
American Presidents Polk, Lincoln and Taylor: See Chap. 10: Reasons Many and Various. Elvis Presley’s remains were moved from his original grave in Memphis to the grounds of his Graceland mansion, following an attempt to steal his body.
- 9.
Rudolph Hess, Nazi deputy leader: See Chap. 10: Reasons Many and Various.
- 10.
Polish President killed in air crash, 2010: See Chap. 10: Reasons Many and Various.
- 11.
The Times, June 30, 2018, Bell Machell, Living with Mandela (Ndaba Mandela).
- 12.
Martin Bucer, Paul Phagius, and Catherine Danmartin: See Chap. 3: Retribution and Reparation.
- 13.
Cromwell, Ireton and Bradshaw: See Chap. 3: Retribution and Reparation.
- 14.
The Cadaver or Corpse synod (Pope Formosus): See Chap. 3: Retribution and Reparation.
- 15.
Ines de Castro: See Chap. 2: Retribution and Reparation.
- 16.
The Odour of Sanctity: See Chap. 7.
- 17.
A bone purporting to be that of Pope Clement, St.: See Chap. 7: The Odour of Sanctity.
- 18.
John Henry Cardinal Newman, 2010: See Chap. 7: The Odour of Sanctity.
- 19.
Emperor Karl of Austria, 1922, 2008: See Chap. 7: The Odour of Sanctity.
- 20.
The Resurrection Men: See Chap. 6: A Gothic Cult.
- 21.
A Gothic Cult, c.1720–c. 1820: Chap. 6.
- 22.
The exhumation of the bones of the Princes in the Tower, 1933: See Chap. 3: Retribution and Reparation.
- 23.
Queen Christina of Sweden, 1965: See Chap. 8: Royal Requiem.
- 24.
Sir Mark Sykes, 1918: See Chap. 10: Reasons Many and Various.
- 25.
Russia, and Serbia: royal repatriation of bodies: See Chap. 8: Royal Requiem.
- 26.
Portugal, Salazar and the Isle of Wight, 1966: See Chap. 8: Royal Requiem.
- 27.
Kelly, J.D.N., History of the Popes, Oxford, pp. 126–7.
- 28.
Wickham, Chris., op. cit., pp. 160–1.
- 29.
McGrath, Christopher, Mr. Darley’s Arabian, John Murray (2016), pp. 144–6.
- 30.
Ibid., pp. 199–200.
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Nash, M.L. (2019). Royal Bodies and Lesser Mortals. In: The History and Politics of Exhumation. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24047-9_2
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