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Sunday 27 October 2013

Essex References in Joseph Strutt's 'Manners': (8) Coggeshall

Complete View of the Manners, Customs, Arms, Habits & Co of the Inhabitants of England, 1774, by Joseph Strutt.
Essex references
8.   Coggeshall
Page 63

[Barrows.]  ”There have been instances of finding a lamp still burning on opening their ancient sepulchral repositories.  Camden (1) tells us, that the tomb of Constantine was found at York, in the walls of the city, and on opening it there was discovered a lamp still burning.  The antients (continues he) had the art of dissolving gold in a fat liquor, and so preparing it, that would, if undisturbed, burn for ages.  Weaver (2) also informs us, that at Coggershall in Essex, an urn was discovered by some labourers, and on top of it was a Roman tile, which being taken off, a lamp was found burning, but that it soon extinguished on being exposed to the fresh air, and with it found a curious patera, or little dish, of fine red earth, inscribed COCCILLI:M.”


References: (1) Camden in Yorkshire (2) Funeral Mon. p168

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