REMARKABLE ANTIQUARIAN DISCOVERY AT KENILWORTH.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2680, 14 September 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

REMARKABLE ANTIQUARIAN DISCOVERY AT KENILWORTH.

Kenilwortii is rich in architectural ° memorials of the past. Of late years a many of its buried treasures have been brought to light. Not the least interesting, as it is certainly the most receut j " find," is one the nature and purport of 1 which puzzled the savans who on Thursday, July 4th, assembled to investigate the subject. The discovery was made <: while digging a new grave in a portion of r the ground lately added to the pariah 1 churchyard. The ground was unquestionably the site of the famous monastery erected by Cleoffroi de Clinton, a Norman of lowly birth, who by dint of energy and capacity became chamberlain and treasurer of Henry 1., from whom he J received the manor of Kenilworth, Clinton also built the great Norman keep, v now known as Ciesar's tower. The rccently-discovercd relic which, some some believe to be associated with the founder of the monastery was ' unearthed within a few feet to the south of the monastic chapter-house, t which was lately disclosed—also while ' digging a grave—three or four feet from the surface, and containing a number of coped coffin lids, with variously designed ' crosses upon them. In excavating for graves the sexton often comes across beautifully carved stonework in the Anglo-Norman style of the old monasteiy, ■ but the present is a unique find, no 1 metal work having previously been turned j up. Of the monastic stonework the : finest remnant is the tower doorway of • the parish Church, and its diamond, 1 embattled, zig-zag and beak-head mould- 1 ings in succession. The curious leaden vessels just found rested on a tiled floor, eight feet from the surface of the ground, and about midway between the Church and the picturesque Abbey gateway so familiar to visitors to Kenilworth. The curiosity waa deposited in the bell-tower of St. Nicholas Church, *%nd for several hours workmen were engaged in endeavouring to "solve the mystery." At first, from its great weight, it was supposed to bo a solid substance, but by drilling holes plumbers ascertained that thero was ii cavity. The next difficulty was to ascertain the contents, but after several hours had been spent in the endeavour the attempt was abandoned. The article, which is boatshaped, is 4ft. 4in. in length, 16in. in width in the centre, and 9in. in depth. All the marks'upon it are four duplicate seals of undoubted ecclesiastic design. In a hexagonal border, surmounted by the fleur-de-lis, is a coronet pierced by an arrow. The discovery has created a great deal of interest in Kenilworth, where all sorts of surmises as to the contents are indulged in, many persons imagining that they consist of the ashes of a noted abbot, while others expect that a charter or some kind of treasure will be found inßide.