EXCAVATIONS ON IIIK SITE 01 DALE ABBEY. 131 



latter ruled over a Priory, as Repton, Bridlington, Bolton, etc., and 

 were entitled to bear the pastoral staff, vide the figure of a Prior of 

 Bridlington in painted glass at Morley Church. The Claustral 

 Priors, on the other hand, were subject to an Abbot, and did not 

 bear a pastoral staff. On their seals they are represented holding 

 a book only, vide those of Henry, Prior of S. Augustine's, Canter- 

 bury ; of John Fossor, and Richard, Priors of Durham ; of Norwich 

 Cathedral Priory ; and of John, Prior of Lewes.* In each instance 

 we have a Prior holding a book on his breast with both hands. I 

 therefore submit that this effigy represents a Premonstratensian 

 Prior in the white cassock and rochet — the habit of the Order. 



As the figure apparently covered a vault, and had been 

 maliciously displaced by some person during one night, it was 

 resolved to take the opportunity to examine the grave for any evi- 

 dence as to whom the memorial was laid down. The squared 

 stones beneath the figure were merely a bed whereon to rest it, 

 and did not form a vault as was thought. After digging down 

 about three feet, and removing several large rough slabs, a bed of 

 clay was reached which covered a wooden coffin. This was of oak, 

 and quite sound and perfect ; the only injury being that the lid 

 had given way down the centre groove, owing to the superin- 

 cumbent weight. On removing the lid, appeared the larger 

 bones and skull of a man of small stature: the lesser ones had de- 

 cayed. No relics, whatever, were buried with the body, but 

 beneatli it was a quantity of leaves, still green and pliant, although 

 the interment took place over 500 years ago ! ! They much re- 

 sembled those of the Common Privet in size and shape, but were 

 so much ' mixed up with mud and clay, that but a few were 

 preserved as specimens. Is any otherjj instance known in which 

 leaves were placed, at that date, under a body before burial? The 

 perfect condition of the coffin enabled the following measurements 

 to be taken : length, 5 ft. 9 ins. ; breadth, at head, 1 ft. 8 ins ; 

 at foot, 1 ft. 2 in.; depth \\\ ins. The boards of which it was 

 made were 1 inch thick, and the bottom and lid were each formed 

 of two pieces tongued and grooved down the middle. Having 



* All the Cluniac Priories were subject to the Abbot of Clngni. 



