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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