Josse, the
silver cross given by Canute, and the bones of Alfred.
At the Reformation, Thomas Wriothesley wrote to Cromwell saying:--
"We intend both at Hyde and St. Mary to sweep away all the rotten
bones that be called relics; which we may not omit, lest it be
thought we came more for the treasure than for the avoiding of th'
abomination of idolatry".
So the resting-place of the noblest of English kings remains unknown;
but a passing antiquary is said to have carried off a stone marked with
the words, "AELFRED REX, DCCCLXXXI", and this stone may still be seen at
Corby Castle in Cumberland.
Of Hyde Abbey nothing but an old gateway near St. Bartholomew's Church,
and some slight fragments of wall, remain; but a considerable portion
was standing until the ruins were pulled down to provide the site for a
new Bridewell, which has vanished in its turn. The property has now come
into the hands of the Corporation, and scientific excavations have been
commenced. Strong hopes are entertained that Alfred's tomb may be
found, although the iconoclasts of the Reformation and the Magistrates
of later days have made the task a difficult, if not an impossible one.
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