Remarkable Fragment of 15th C. Burial Cloth Exhumed During Trenching in 1821 with Provenance

A Remarkable Framed Fragment Of 15th Century Burial Cloth Attached To A Handwritten Letter Of Provenance Which States It Was Exhumed During Trenching in 1821.

The letter reads:

”Bridlington 1822

Fragment of cloth taken from the coffin of Robert Brystwyk, 25th prior of Bridlington, who died in 1493, and whose coffin was discovered in April 1821, during the process of trenching the ground, for the purpose of interment. The fragment was given to Mr Gilchrist by J. Thompson, of Bridlington by whom it was taken from the coffin.”

Incredibly, during my research, I discovered local history records that revealed fascinating context that perfectly matches the timeline and events described in this letter of 1822. It read as follows:

"Another stone, now preserved in the vestry, bears the following inscription in old church text : - Hic jacet dns Robt. brystwyk quo da prior huj loci q obiit - 0 0 ano do m cccc nonagesimo iii cui aic ppiciet. de. Amen, which may be thus translated : - Here lies Robert Brystwyk formerly prior of this place, who died in the year of our Lord 1493; on whose soul may God have mercy. Amen. This stone was discovered in 1821, a little south of the church, where the transept had stood. Some workmen were employed digging up the foundations, and brought to light a stone coffin, covered by the above chalk-stone slab. The coffin contained the remains of the prior; the hair of the beard and the serge in which the body had been wrapped were still undecayed."

You can find this information HERE

Bridlington Priory itself has a fascinating history. The Priory's website describes it as:

"one of the great monastic houses of England during the Medieval period. Its wealth and possessions made it a key monastery in the North, one of the largest and richest of the Augustinian order. The church in those times was more than twice as large as what now remains, rivaling in size other great Yorkshire churches including Beverley Minster and Selby Abbey. The Priory today is a glorious survival of that pre-Reformation splendour, its transepts and its stately central tower over which soared a stone crown similar to those above the cathedrals of Newcastle and Edinburgh St Giles."

You can find this information HERE

This piece has been framed within a vintage ornate frame.

A rare survivor!

Condition is decent, commensurate with age. There is a tear across the top of the letter and it has been attached to blue backing paper to secure it.

Measures 33.5cm x 28cm x 3.5cm

Weighs 750 grams