10 



On Some Portions of Skin, supposed to be Human, found on a 

 Door in Westminster Abbey. By Henry F. Hailes. 



(Read October 22nd, 1869.J 



I have placed under a microscope upon one of the tables an object 

 "which may be considered rather as an archaeological than a micro- 

 scopical curiosity. It is a portion of skin taken from one of the 

 doors of Westminster Abbey. Some explanation is necessary in 

 order to make this object intelligible ; I have therefore gathered 

 together a few particulars, chiefly from Dean Stanley's " Memorials 

 of Westminster Abbey." 



In the eastern cloisters of Westminster Abbey is a door which 

 is never opened except in the presence of the Secretary of the 

 Treasury, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Comptroller of 

 the Exchequer. This door leads into a chamber in the old Norman 

 substructures, beneath the original dormitory of the monastery. 



This chamber is the Treasury of England, of which the Prime 

 Minister is the First Lord and the Chancellor of the Exchequer 

 the administrator. It it now better known as the " Chapel of the 

 Pyx." 



In this chamber were kept, up to the year 1303, the choicest 

 treasures of the State ; the Regalia, sundry relics, and a large 

 hoard of money* 



In the year 1303, the King (Edward I.) being at Linlithgow, 

 this treasure was carried off by thieves. The chief robber appears 

 to have been one Richard de Podlicote, who, having previously 

 broken into the Chapter-house and robbed the Refectory of a large 

 quantity of plate, had thus ascertained the precise position of the 

 Treasury, and afterwards concerted with his friends (some of whom 

 were within the precincts of the Abbey), and with their aid carried 

 out the robbery. 



The treasure, after it was taken out, was concealed in some 

 hemp (planted it is believed for that purpose) growing in the clois- 

 ters, and was afterwards conveyed in two black panniers across the 

 river to the " King's bridge," by the monk Alexander of Pershore 

 and others. 



The abbot and the eighty monks residing in the Abbey, were 

 taken to the Tower and tried, but were all released with the excep- 

 tion of the sub-prior and the sacrist. 



