SO many and ſo various have been the Relations and Reports, concerning the finding and diſpoſing of the Crucifix and Gold-Chain of St. Edward the King and Confeſſor, and thoſe ſo fabulous and uncertain withall; That in Honour to Truth, to diſabuſe the miſinform'd World, and to ſatisfy the curioſity as well as importunity of my Friends, I think my ſelf under an Obligation to ſet forth this plain Narrative of the matter of Fact, from whom all others (tho' never ſo Erroenous) pretend to have it. In order thereunto (to avoid confuſion, prolixity, and what is worſe, Tedious Preambles, and digreſſions) I ſhall take this ſhort Method to perform it.

In the firſt place, I ſhall give an account of ſome things previous (or what went before) in order to the diſcovery.

Secondly, the deſcription of the place it ſelf from whence theſe things were taken.

Thirdly, the manner of finding and ſecuring the ſame, the diſpoſing thereof, and preſenting them to his preſent Majeſty.

Fourthly, an Exact deſcription of the ſaid Crucifix and Chain with other dependencies thereon.

And laſtly, Some material Remarks, and Hiſtorical Obſervations on the whole. For the firſt, you are to underſtand that behind the High-Altar or back of the Communion-Table, in the Abby Church of St. Peters-Weſtminſter there are two doors, one on the right and the other on the left hand, and both leading into a ſmall Chappel, Dedicated to St. Edward the King and Confeſſor, and till this day known by that name, tho' ſometimes (by reaſon many Kings and Queens of this Realm have been Interr'd therein) call d the Chappel of the Kings. Into this Chappel and thorough one of thoſe doors it is that when the Solemnity of our Kings and Queens Inaugurations or Coronations are perform'd in this Church, that they withdraw after the Unction, Benediction, and other Ceremonies are paſſed at the High-Altar, where they not only repoſe themſelves for a time, but are diſmantled of their former Princely Robes and Accoutrements, to be re-inveſted with more Noble, more Stately, and thoſe of greater Grandeur and Magnificence: The Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, the Lord High-Chamberlain of England, and the Dean of Westminſter officiating; on which occaſion ſeveral Boards, Scaffolding, Traverſes, Tables, and other cumberſome materials are there ſet up, covered and adorned with coſtly Tapeſtry and other rich furniture; All which (as heretofore) was likewiſe performed at the Solemn and Happy Coronation of our Royal Sovereign his preſent Majeſty, King James the Second, and his moſt excellent Conſort our Gracious Queen Mary, whom God grant long and happily to Reign here, and Eternally in Glory hereafter.

In the midſt of the aforeſaid Chappel of St. Edward there is a very lofty and Noble Tomb ſtill remaining, built after the manner of a Shrine, and for which intent it was erected by King Henry the Third. The Baſe (placed on a very curious floor, inlade with all ſorts of fine coloured Agats and Marbles) raiſes it ſelf about ſix or Seven foot from the Pavement, ſupported at each corner by twiſted or Serpentine Pillars, and the whole Compoſure of Moſaick Work. (Tho' of late much injured and defaced by picking out the coloured Glaſs and Stones) On the North and South-ſide hereof are three Niches or Arches, with one at the Eaſt-end, ſo ordered and contrived that the Sick and Infirm might here repoſe without offence or injury to each other: On this, as a pedeſtal, (for it is ſolid throughout) is a more Sumptuous Cabinet or Repoſitory made of Wainſcot hollow within, (and formerly covered with plates of Gold and Silver without) but at preſent nothing remains but the Wooden-frame or Casket only. Within this Hollow place or Caverne▪ then it was that I have often obſerved (by the help of a Ladder) ſomething reſembling a Coffin made of ſound, firm, and ſtrong Wood, and bound about with bands of Iron, and during the Eighteen years I have belonged to the Quire of this Church, it was a common Tradition among us that therein were depoſited the Body or Remains of Holy King Edward the Confeſſor.

Now it happen'd not long after the Coronation of their Preſent Majeſties, that the aforeſaid Coffin or Cheſt was found to be broke, and an hole made upon the upper Lid thereof, over againſt the Right Breaſt, about ſix Inches long and four broad, ſome eſteeming it an Accident, (thro' the Careleſneſs and Neglect of the Workmen in removing the Scaffolds) others thought it done out of Deſign; but be it the one or the other, thus it continued for almoſt ſeven Weeks, and often viewed by divers of the Church before it was my good Fortune to go thither; ☞when (on St. Barnaby's Day, In the Year of our Lords Incarnation One Thouſand Six Hundred Eighty and Five) I met with two Friends, (between Eleven and Twelve of the Clock after Morning Service) who told me they were going to ſee the Tombs, ſo I went along with them, Informing them that there was a Report that the Coffin of St. Edward the King and Confeſſor was broke; and coming to the place, I was deſirous to be ſatisfied of the Truth thereof: In order thereunto, I fetched a Ladder, lookt upon the Coffin, and found all things anſwerable to the Report; And putting my hand into the hole, and turning the Bones (which I felt there) I drew from underneath the Shoulder-Bones a Crucifix richly adorned and enamelled, and a Gold Chain of four and twenty Inches long, unto which it was affixed, the which I immediately ſhew'd to my two Friends, they being as much ſurprized and equally admired the ſame as my ſelf. But I was afraid to take them away wirh me, 'till ſuch time I had acquainted the Dean, as the Governour and Chief Director of our Church; And thereupon I put them into the Coffin again, with a full Reſolution to inform him. But the Dean not being to be ſpoke with at that time, and fearing this Holy Treaſure might be taken thence by ſome other Perſons, and ſo concealed by converting it to their own uſe, I went (about two or three hours after) to one of the Quire, and acquainted him with what I had found, who immediately accompanied me back to the Monument, and from whence I again drew the aforeſaid Crucifix and Chain` and ſhew'd them him who beheld them with admiration, preſently adviſing me to keep them 'till I ſhould gain an opportunity to ſhew them to the Biſhop of Rocheſter our Dean; ſo I kept them for the ſpace of three Weeks and five days, as having no opportunity in all that time to ſpeak with him, by reaſon of his uncertain •• ſilence, being often in the Country, and wh •• •• Town ſo taken up with the affairs of Parliament that I was not willing to diſturb him; In the mean time, hearing that his Grace John (late Lord Arch Biſhop of York, and my ever honoured good Lord) was come to Town, I went to pay my Duty and Reſpects to him and ſhew'd him the Crucifix and Chain, who looked upon them as great pieces of Antiquity, (for ſo he was pleaſed to call them) ſhewing them with admiration to the reſt of his Family, and ordered me to wait upon him the next Morning, for he deſigned that I ſhould go along with him to Lambeth-houſe, that his Grace of Canterbury might have a ſight thereof: Accordingly my Lord Arch-Biſhop of York carried me thither, and when I had produced them, and his Grace had well viewed and peruſed them, he expreſs'd the like conceptions of them as my Lord of York had done before, Viz. That the whole was a very great piece of Antiquity. After this (having theſe things ſo long by me) I procured an able Maſter in Drawing and Limning, to take an exact draught thereof, according to the full dimentions with the Reverſe, Figures, and other adornments, the which I have now by me. About the ſame time that Induſtrious and Judicious Antiquary Sir William Dugdale, Late Garter Principal King at Arms, was pleaſed to give me a viſit, and told me how his Grace the Lord Arch-Biſhop of Canterhury had inform'd him of a great Rarity I had in my poſſeſſion, and named it, deſiring moreover that he might have a ſight thereof, with whoſe requeſt I willingly complyed, telling me likewiſe that he would make ſome remarques thereon.

☜ On the Sixth day of July following, My Lord Biſhop of Rocheſter, and Dean of Weſtminſter, dining at his Grace the Lord Arch-Biſhop of Canterburys; His Grace was pleaſed to declare to his Lordſhip what he had ſeen, concerning theſe Things, and to inform him how they were ſtill in my Poſſeſſion, ſo that upon his Lordſhips return to the Abby that afternoon about four of the Clock, I was ſent for, who immediately took me along with him to Whitehall, that I might preſent this Sacred Treaſure to the King; and being no ſooner introduced into his Majeſties Cloſet, (where I had the Honour to Kiſs his Royal Hand) but upon my knees I delivered them with my own hands to him, which his Moſt Sacred Majeſty was pleaſed to accept with much Satisfaction, and having given him a further account how the remains of the body of that Holy King was, and opened the Croſs in his preſence, I withdrew, leaving them ſafe as being now in his Royal poſſeſſion.

At the time, when I took out of the Coffin the aforeſaid Croſs and Chain, I drew the Head to the hole, and view'd it, being very ſound and firm, with the upper and nether Jaws whole and full of Teeth, with a liſt of Gold above an Inch broad in the nature of a Coronet, ſurrounding the Temples: There was alſo in the Coffin white-Linnen, and Gold-colour'd flowr'd-ſilk, that look't indifferent freſh, but the leaſt ſtreſs put thereto ſhew'd it was well nigh periſh't; There were all his Bones, and much duſt likewiſe, all which I left as I found, taking only thence along with me the Crucifix and Gold-Chain. His Majeſty was pleaſed ſoon after this diſcovery, to ſend to the Abby, to take care that no damage were done to the Coffin, and ordered it to be incloſed in a new one, of an Extraordinary ſtrength and goodneſs, each planck being two Inches thick, and joyn'd together with large Iron wedges, where it now remains as a Teſtimony of his Pious Care that no abuſe might be offered to thoſe Sacred Aſhes.

To ſet forth theſe Things in their proper colours, and to deſcribe the ſame, ſo that the Eye of the mind may be brought down to have a juſt apprehenſion of them, I will not, with my weak Judgment, pretend to undertake: Yet having them ſo long in my poſſeſſion, and viewing them ſo often with delight, I will endeavour what I can to give you the deſcription of them. For the Chain, it was four and twenty Inches long, compleat, all of pure Gold, the Links oblong, and Curiouſly Wrought: The upper part whereof (to lye in the Nape of the Neck) was joyned together by a Locket, Compoſed of a large round Nobb of Gold, Maſſy, and in Circumference as big as a Mild-ſhilling, and half an Inch thick: Round this went a Wyer, and on the Wyer about half a do • en little Beads, hanging looſe, and running too and again, on the ſame, all of pure Gold, and ſurely wrought. On each ſide of the Lockett were ſet two large ſquare red Stones (ſuppoſed to be Rubies.) From each ſide of this Lockett, fixed to two Rings of Gold, the Chain deſcends, and meeting below, paſſes thro' a ſquare piece of Gold of a convenient bigneſs, made hollow for the ſame purpoſe; This Gold wrought into ſeveral Angles was painted with divers Colours, reſembling ſo many Gemms or precious Stones, and to which the Crucifix was joyned, yet to be taken off (by the help of a Screw) at pleaſure. For the Form of the Croſs, it comes nigheſt to that of an Humettee flory among the Heraulds, or rather the Botony, yet the pieces here are not of equal length, the direct or perpendicular beam being nigh one fourth part longerthen the traverſe, as being four Inches to the extremities, whilſt the other ſcarce exceeds Three: yet all of them neatly turn'd at the ends, and the Botons Enamelled with Figures thereon. The Croſs it ſelf is of the ſame Gold with the Chain, but then it exceeds it by its rich Enamell, having on one ſide the Picture of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt in his Paſſion wrought thereon, and an eye from above caſting a kind of beams upon him: whileſt on the reverſe of the ſame Croſs is Pictured a Benedictine Monk in his habit, and on each ſide of him theſe Capital Roman Letters: on the right limb thus,

  (A)   Z A X   A  

And on the left thus,

  P   A   C   H  

This Croſs is hollow, and to be opened by two little Screws towards the top, wherein it is preſumed ſome Relique might have been conſerved. The whole being a piece not only of great Antiquity, but of admirable Curioſity. And I look upon this Accident as a great part of my good Fortune, to be made the mean Inſtrument of their diſcovery and preſervation.

For Remarques upon the foregoing relation I ſhall offer but two to your conſideration: Firſt, ſome Obſervations concerning the time when theſe Holy Things were firſt found, and when delivered to his preſent Majesty: And Secondly, how this diſcovery agrees with Antiquity and thoſe who have writ concerning the Depoſition, Interment, and Tranſlation of this Saints Body, together with the reaſons of his Canonization, and rebuilding the Monaſtery and Abby-Church of St. Peters-Weſtminſter. For which laſt Obſervations, I muſt here own my ſelf indebted to my very worthy Friend Mr. Hen. Keepe, who was pleaſed to favour me ſo far as to oblige me with this ſhort abſtract from his large Hiſtory of this Abby's Memoires.

For the firſt it is highly remarkable, that it ſhould happen on that day whereon the late Rebellion began in the Weſt, and much about the Same Hour in the afternoon when they landed, that I ſecured them, being on the Eleventh day of June, and Thurſday in Whitſon-weeek. But much more Obſervable were the delivery of them to his Majeſty: it being at a time, and on a day when all people ſtood in ſuſpence how that great point would be decided, when (as a moſt happy Omen and Forerunner of the Good News which came within few hours after, that his Majeſties Forces had gain'd an entire victory over his Enemies) I humbly preſented the ſame to his moſt Sacred Majesty, being on the Sixth day of July following: notwithſtanding I had endeavoured to have done it before; but through ſeverall unexpected interruptions, was diſappointed of my intent till then: So that Heaven ſeems more to have had the conduct thereof then bare chance or caſualty.

As for this Holy, and Religious King Edward the Confeſſor, he was the Seventh Son of King Etheldred, by Emma his Second Wife, Daughter of Richard the Second, Duke of Normandy: And during the Invaſion and Poſſeſſion of this Land, by the Cruel and Inhumane Danes, he together with his Mat. Weſt. Hor. Hiſt. p. 202.Brethren were conveighed by their Mother into Normandy, and there remain'd until their Tyranny and Oppreſſion were over-paſſed: During which ſpace (all his Elder Brothers being dead, and the Danes at length utterly deſtroy'd or expell'd the Kingdom) He was by the Unanimous and Joynt conſent of the Nobility and Gentry of this Realm ſent for, and Proclaimed their Lawfull King and Governor, Hen. Huntingd. Hiſt. Lib. 4.ſuitable to the many Propheſies and Revelations declared heretofore concerning him. Coming therefore (according to the Exigence of the times) but with a ſmall Retinue into Ingulph. Hiſt. p. 961. Jo. Brompton Chro. p. 955. England, he was Crown'd at Weſtminſter, as ſome Authors have it (tho' others ſay it was at Wincheſter) by Eadſius, Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, and Alfric Arch-Biſhop Mat. Weſt. Flor. Hiſt. Flor. Wigorn. Gul. Malmsb. de Geſt. Ang. Reg. Lib. 2. of York, on Eaſter-day following, in the Year of our Lord God, One Thouſand Forty and Three; Granting unto the ſaid Abby of Weſtminſter that from thenceforth whenſoever himſelf, or any of his Succeſſors, Kings of England, ſhould wear their Royal Diadems in that Church, that the Precentor of the ſame, ſhould receive, at the hands of the Kings Sheriff, half a Mark of Silver, and the Covent One hundred Simnells; or Waſtel-Cakes of the: fineſt Flower, together with Sixty four Gallons of the beſt Wine, in commemoration thereof▪

The King being thus placed on the Throne of his Anceſtors in Peace, and recollecting what had paſſed in his former Exile, Two things more eſpecially offered themſelves to his conſideration. Firſt, how thoſe Vows and Promiſes he had then made in caſe of his Reſtauration, might be performed to his Satisfaction; And Secondly, how ſuch wholeſome and binding Laws might be Inſtituted, as not only to ſecure the Freedom and Tranquillity of his Subjects during his own time, but to future Ages. The laſt of theſe he committed to the care and prudence of his great Council, to ſee Effected, which were ſo happily accompliſhed, Ailred Abbas Rieval▪ de vita S. Edw. & Mirac. Gu. Lambard de priſcis Angl. legibus edit. per A. Whelock. p. 136. Hen. Spelman Concil. Tom. 1. p. 619.that even to this day they bear the name of St Edwards Laws; The baſis and foundation whereon all our other Laws depend, and which the Princes of this Realm in their Coronation-Oaths oblige themſelves to obſerve: As to his Vows ſome had reſpect to the publique, others more immediately related to himſelf. For what belonged to himſelf he preſently performed upon his firſt aſcending the Throne; But what concerned the Publique, took up further time of deliberation; among the reſt he had Solemnly undertook, that as ſoon as he had ſettled his Kingdom in peace, to Viſit the Holy See, to go to Rome, to perform ſome ſet devotions at the ſtations in that City, and there to repoſe himſelf for a time. But this was found a matter of that Conſequence (that notwithſtanding his whole inclination and fixt reſolution to effect it) yet at length he was over-perſuaded by the entreaties of the Nobility, and Tears of his People to decline it, at leaſt 'till ſuch time they might ſend to the then Biſhop of Rome ſuch Perſons of Worth and Nicol. Harpsfields Hiſt. Angl. Eccleſ. Pag. 218.Learning that might lay the Caſe, with all the Inconveniences ſeriouſly before him, and to have his Reſolution thereon: which was Caeſ. Baron. Annal. Eccle. Tom. 11. p. 290. N. 9.done; and that with ſuch cogent Reaſons, and convincing Arguments, that the deſigned Journey was Diſpenſed with: Yet in lieu thereof, he was enjoined to beſtow what Money he had laid up towards the Expence of that Voyage on the Poor, Miſerable and Indigent; And moreover as a further Remembrance thereof, to Erect ſome New, or Repair ſome Old Church and Monaſtery to the Honour of St. Peter. All which the King moſt readily embraced, and immediately pitch'd upon the Reſtoring of the Monaſtery and Church of St. Peters Weſtminſter. In Order thereunto he decimated all his Revenues, ſet Workmen to pull down the Old, and to erect a New Church (even from the Ground) in place thereof; repaired the Offices of the Ruined Abby, filled the ſame with Monks, and ſettled a competent Revenue to ſuſtain them. But ſee the inſtability of Humane Affairs! No ſooner was this Work brought to perfection, and the day of Holy Innocents in the Year of our Lord One Thouſand Sixty and Six, prefixed for the Solemn Dedication of the Church; But the King fell ſick on Chriſtmas-Day preceding, and growing worſe and worſe, on the day following he was ſcarce able to ſtay out the Solemnity of High-Maſs; being led from thence to his Chamber, and taking his Bed, the next day his Life was deſpaired of; So that he made his Will, Received, and prepared himſelf for his departure: at the ſame time beſtowing ſeveral Gifts and Rewards on certain Palmers or Pilgrims that came from far Joh. Brompton Chron. p. 955.to ſee him; And to the Abbot of Weſtminſter delivered the Ring (returned him by St John) to be perpetually preſerved among the Reliques of that Church. The day following, tho' very weak, he did his endeavour to be Aſſiſtant at the Pompous Dedication of his New Church; but Nature, now almoſt ſpent in him, deprived him of that Satisfaction: So that being in his Bed, he had Monaſtic. Angl. Tom 1. Chart. 1. Hen. Spelman Concil. Tom. 1. pro Chart. 2. In Archivis Weſt. Chart 3 Mat. Paris p. 2no more ſtrength left then to Sign his three Charters of Privileges, Donations, and Confirmations, which he beſtowed thereon. And thus languiſhing 'till two days after the Circumciſion, he fell into a Trance, became Speechleſs, Motionleſs, and lying for dead untill the Eve of the Epiphany following: Hen. Huntingdon Hiſt. Lib. 2. p. 367. Mat. Weſtin. Flo. Hiſt. p. 220.when reviving again with the Chief of the Nobility about him, he began to declare what had been revealed to him concerning the future State of the Kingdom during the time of his Extaſie; at the end of which Diſcourſe, gently repoſing his Head on his Pillow, he Flo. Wigorn. p. 633. Rog. Hov. Ann. pars prior. p. 439.expired (after he had Reigned 23 Years, Six Months and 27 Days) to the Sorrowfull Lamentations of thoſe that beheld him, and exceeding grief of all his Subjects, who ſoon after found his Predictions verified in the diſmal effects of War and Bloud-ſhed, which enſued.

All things are now preparing for his Funeral Ailred. Abbas Rievallis de vita & Mirac. S Edw. Con. p. 402. Rites, the Body waſhed and Embalmed with ſweet ſcenting Odors, and Aromatique Spices; wrapped in White and Precious Linnen, and thoſe covered with Rich and Coſtly Veſtments; a Coronet on his Head, a Crucifix on his Breaſt, and other Regal Enſigns of Majeſty; all which, together with the Corps, were placed in a Stone Coffin, made after the Faſhion of thoſe Elder Times, hollow within, according to the Shape of a Man, Flo. Wigorn. Rog. Hoved. Ann. p. 439. Mat. Paris Hiſt. Angl. p. 2.and Covered with a looſe Lidd of the ſame Stone; which the day following his Exit, (viz. on the Epiphany or Feaſt of Kings) was Tranſlated to his New Church, and there, according to his Deſire before his Departure, it was depoſited with all the Ceremonies and Grandeur ſutable to the Quality of the Perſon and the Occaſion.

As this Holy and Religious Prince had, during his Life time, Cured many moſt Inveterate Jo. Brompton Chron. p. 950. and Malignant Diſtempers, eſpecially thoſe who had any extraordinary Glandules, or hard Swellings in their Necks or Throats; ſo after his Death, People affected with the like Diſeaſes, coming to his Tomb, ſeveral received Benefit thereby. The Fame whereof, drew many to pay a kind of Inferiour Devotion to his Memory; Among the reſt, that good Biſhop of Worceſter the Pious Wulſtan was none of the leaſt: And when William Surnamed the Conqueror took Poſſeſſion of this Land, turning out the Old Engliſh to make way for his New Normans, having already made Lanfranc his Countryman Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury in Ailred. Abbas Rieval. ut ſupra. p. 402.the room of Stigand: and ſtill placing ſome, and diſplacing others; having the Formality of a National Synod to Countenance and Confirm the ſame. This Wulſtan was likewiſe Cited; where it was objected againſt him, That he was Illitterate, Inſufficient, and Unworthy to bear ſo great and weighty a Charge as that of a Biſhop; and withall, that he had miſ-behaved himſelf therein; being admoniſhed to reſign up his Paſtoral Staff, and Ring, and to leave the ſame to the Kings diſpoſal. The Good Old Man, concerned at theſe Proceedings, took upon him an unuſual boldneſs, and ſtanding up, acknowledged that he was indeed unworthy ſo great Honour, unſought, and unlookt for by him; yet as for the diſcharge of his Duty therein, his behaviour had been ſuch that no man with any Honeſty or Juſtice could either tax or blemiſh; And whereas he had received thoſe Enſigns of his Function from ſo Knowing and ſo Glorious a Prince as King Edward, he would deliver them to none but him: And ſo departing the Councel, came to his Maſters Tomb, where he depoſited his Croſier with the profoundeſt humility imaginable; expreſſing his Condition with much vehemency and concern; at laſt concluding, that it would pleaſe Almighty God ſo to make manifeſt his Innocence, that That Paſtoral Staff might be Now legend. Angl. in vita S. Wulſtani. Lau. ſurius ad 19 Jan. in vita S. Wulſtani. auct. per Jacob Moſandrum.delivered to none but thoſe who were worthy of it. The Arch-Biſhop, and Synod being enformed of all that paſſed, ſent immediately for the Croyſier: but he that came for it found it immoveable, the Truth whereof being ſuſpected, a Learned and Grave Biſhop, Gumulfus of Rocheſter by Name, was Deputed to aſcertain the Truth, which likewiſe he Confirmed: At which, the King, his Nobles, the Popes Legat, the Arch-Biſhops, and Biſhops, with others there Aſſembled, admiring, all came to ſee the Wonder, the Arch-Biſhop firſt attempting to diſplace it, but in vain; and after many fruitleſs endeavours of others, Wulſtan was entreated by the King to attempt it; who no ſooner toucht the Nicol. Harpsfield Hiſt. Angl. Eccleſ. p. 219. Paſtoral Enſign, but it fell as it were of it ſelf into his hands. Upon which the King with all there preſent caſt themſelves at his feet, begg'd his excuſe for the Injury they had done him, and that he would give them his Bleſſing: But the Good old Man, o'recome with ſuch Condeſcention, fell likewiſe on his Knees, embraced the King, and the reſt of the Company, and heartily forgave them. This was the occaſion that William the Conqueror ever after bare ſo great a Veneration for his Kinſman and Predeceſſor; Inſomuch that from thenceforth he Commanded the Coffin to be Inſhrined, and this Shrine to be covered with Plates of Gold and Silver, and further Richly Adorned with Pearls and: Precious Stones, which was remaining Ailred Abbas Rieval: de vita & Mira. S. Edw. p. 40 • .entire and undefaced in the time of Laurentius Abbot of Weſtminſter, about one hundred Years after.

Ibid. Six and thirty Years after this, when Gilbert Surnamed Criſpin was Abbot of Weſtminſter, certain Diſcourſes and Arguments aroſe among the Monks, concerning the Corruptability, or incorruption of this Kings Body: So that to ſatisfie their Curioſity, the Abbot was reſolved upon • n inſpection: whereunto Gumulfus Biſhop of Rocheſter, formerly mentioned, and now very Antient, with other Perſons of great Credit and Gravity were invited▪ And coming with mighty expectations to the Tomb, the Shrine opened, and the upper Lidd of the Stone-Coffin removed, Ibid.ſuch a flagrant Odour proceeded from thence, that it ſcented the whole Church; they beheld the upper Veſtments that covered the Body as freſh as if newly put on: the Hands, the Arms, the Joynts of the Fingers and Toes, as plyant, and Supple, as but lately deprived of Life▪ the Fleſh retaining a lively and beautifull Vigour as if animated again: But the Face being covered with an extraordinary Covering none would venture to uncover the ſame, untill the grave Biſhop of Rocheſter undertook it: And beginning below his Beard, which was long, and white as Snow, he proceeded to diſcloſe the whole Viſage, which was ſo ſhining and of ſo unuſual a brightneſs, that they were all Strook with admiration; wherefore with great reverence they cover'd it again; changing the former Veſtmonts, and putting on others of equal pri • e; Incenſing the Corps, and laying on the cover, they all departed with great Satisfaction, ſeeing they found things ſo ſuitable to their deſires and expectations.

W. Thorn. Chron. Aug. Cant. p. 2255. In the Year 1163. Thomas of Beckett (afterwards St. Thomas,) Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury out of a peculiar devotion to this pious Princes memory by the Kings Interceſſion, and at his own Expence, procured of Mat. Paris p. 99. Pope Alexander the Third his Canonization, which was Solemnized after this manner. The Laur. Surius in vit. S. Ed. Confeſſ. cum Add. Limpomani. Uſuall Ceremonies having paſſed at Rome, and the Apoſtolick Letters returned by thoſe who were ſent to procure them; Laurentius, who was then Abbot of Weſtminſter, received orders to convocate many reverend and venerable perſons, as well Biſhops, as Abbots; Noblemen, as others, to his Church of Weſtminſter, and there publiquely to read the ſaid Letters, or Breves to the aſſembly; he accordingly performed the ſame, to the well liking and rejoycing of all thoſe who were preſent at their publication: But for as much as the Kings Affairs detained him at this time in Normandy, and his preſence thought extreamly neceſſary to the conſummation of ſo grand a Ceremony as the Tranſlation would be, it was deferred 'till his arrivall in England almoſt two years after; unto whom, the Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, the Abbot of Westminſter, with ſome others applying themſelves to know his Royall Pleaſure therein; He at length wholly left the ſame to the Abbot of Westminſter's diſpoſal, who being deſirous (as Gilbert his predeceſſor had done) to ſee in what condition the Sacred Body lay before he would venture to expoſe it to the publique, called together the Prior, with a ſelect number of the Monks; who conſulting thereon, came to this reſolution: that no one ſhould preſume to be preſent at the ſight thereof, but thoſe who had beforehand prepared themſelves by Faſting, Weeping and Prayer for ſuch an occaſion, and that they only ſhould meet in the Church on the Eve before the Tranſlation, with Tapers in their hands, Albs on their Bodies, and their feet to be all Naked and bare, and from thence to proceed in the Search according to their deſires, which was done accordingly; the doors being firſt ſhut, and all others excluded from coming into the Church at that time, they went by way of Proceſſion, to the Steps of the high Altar, Singing of Pſalms, and reciting the Litanies, with Prayers made on purpoſe for that Action. The Abbot, Prior, and two of the Brethren, (leaving the reſt at their devotions) approched the Tomb, and removing the upper Stone of the Coffin, they beheld (by the help of their lights) a man, lying in rich Veſtments of Cloath of Gold, having on his feet Baskins of Purple, and Shoes of great price, his Head and Face were covered with a Rich covering, Interwoven and wrought with Gold, with a Beard White and Long, inclining to Curl, and falling decently on his Breaſt; which ſight ſtruck a profound reverence in the Spectators, who called the reſt of their Brethren, whom they had left at the Altar, to behold the ſame: Their curioſity ended not here, but led them further, ſo that they began (with great Piety and Devotion) ſome to touch his Head, others his feet, and ſome his Hands, which they found without any manner of Corruption or Putrefaction. And ſuch was the firmneſs of this Saints Body, that all parts ſeemed to retain their former brightneſs and perfection; notwithſtanding the outward parts of thoſe Vestments, which lay next the lid of the Coffin, were a little ſullied, and had loſt ſome of their freſhneſs, by the contiguity and moldering of the cement and duſt of the Stone which had fallen upon them: all which they gently wiped away with a Linnen Cloth, reſolving to remove the whole Body from that Stone-repoſitory to another of Wood, which they had there before prepared for the ſame purpoſe: ſo that ſome aſſiſting at the Head, others at the Arms and Legs, they lifted it gently from thence, and laid the Sacred Corps firſt on Tapeſtry ſpread on the floor, and then wrapping the ſame in divers ſilken Cloaths of great value, they put it into the Wooden Cheſt, with all thoſe things that were found in the former, except the Gold Ring, which was on the Kings Finger, which the Abbot out of devotion retained, and order'd it to be kept in the Treaſury of the Abby, as a commemoration thereof. The next day, viz. on the third of the

L. Surius ut Supra.

Joh. Fleet. de▪fundat. Abb. Weſt. Mſ. in Bib. Weſtm.