Folios 33-34. Report of the discovery by labourers on 20 February 1772 of a lead...

Folios 33-34. Report of the discovery by labourers on 20 February 1772 of a lead coffin in part of the old abbey church at Bury St Edmunds [Suffolk]. The coffin contained 'an embalmed body as perfect and entire as at the time of its death' subsequently found to be that of Thomas Beaufort son of John of Gaunt by his third wife Catherine Swinford and half brother to Henry lV. The labourers sold the lead to Mr Jaye, a plumber for 15 shillings and thrown the body 'promiscuously amongst the rubbish'. After the identity of the body was known 'it was cruelly cut and mangled by Thomas Gery Cullum (lately appointed Bath King of Arms)' before 'the mangled' remains were reinterred. At the foot of the report is an unsigned letter. 'My Lord, Out of veneration to the ancient Royal Family, as well loyalty to the reigning Prince, I thought it right to transmit to you the above account, (as Mr Cullum have [sic] intimidated the printers from inserting it in their weekly papers). Every article is strictly true, every person wishes some method may be taken to prevent the other Royal Deposites and great Personages interred in this monastery from the like brutal treatment, and their limbs being exposed as public spectacles in surgeons' shops. When it can answer any purpose, or if desired I will inform your Lordship my name, and can produce many witnesses to the facts mentioned'.