5Q0 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [anNO 1748. 



Of an Ancient Shrine, formerly belonging to the Abbey of Croyland. By fVm. 



Stuhely, M.D. N°490, p. 579- 



This shrine is a great curiosity, few of this kind of antiquities having escaped 

 the general ravage of the dissolution of abbeys. The shrine is made of oak, 

 plated over with copper, on which the figures are chaced in gold : the ground is 

 enamelled with blue ; in the ridge along the top are 3 oval crystals set transpa 

 rently; its dimensions are 12 inches long, lO^-high, 4a broad. 



It was found in the house of a gentleman near St. Neot's, who never showed 

 it during his life-time ; and who possibly might have given us some account, as 

 to the history of it ; but at present we have no means left of finding it out, but 

 by conjecture. 



Dr. S. conceives it came from Croyland-abbey. There was an intercourse be- 

 tween this abbey and St. Neot's priory ; insomuch that St. Neot's body was 

 carried hence to Croyland-abbey, and inshrined there. 



These shrines were made for receiving relics of saints, in old abbeys, churches, 

 and cathedrals. These were carried about in processions on their anniversary 

 days ; sometimes embellished with jewels of inestimable value. Besides these 

 portable ones, there were others, built of stone, marble, and other materials ; 

 like that of St. Edward the Confessor in Westminster-abbey ; one now in Chester 

 cathedral of St. Werburga, on which the episcopal throne is set, adorned with 

 sculptures of Saxon kings and saints : one of St. Thomas de Cantelupe bishop of 

 Hereford, in that cathedral. These now remain. There was one in the church 

 of Burton-Coggles, Lincolnshire -, and of Heckington in the same county ; and 

 innumerable others, destroyed at the dissolution of monasteries. 



The shrine before us, from the manner of drawing and workmanship, he con- 

 cludes to be of Saxon antiquity, and that very high, now near QOO years old. 

 He thinks it gives us the story of the murder of the abbot there, and his monks, 

 perpetrated by the barbarous Danes, in the year 870. Sept. 25, that year, they 

 rushed into the church of Croyland, while the religious were at divine service. 

 Ingulphus, abbot of the place, in his History gives us this account. Lord 

 Theodore was then abbot of Croyland ; who at that time pontifically officiated at 

 the high altar, expecting the barbarians. King Osketyl cut off his head on the 

 altar. " Verus martyr et Christi hostia immolatur," says our author, " Ministri 

 circumstantes omnes capitibus detruncati :" " Thus fell the true martyr and 

 lamb of Christ, as a sacrifice on the altar. All the assistant ministers were be- 

 headed likewise," says he. The 2 on our shrine, are friar Elfget the deacon, 

 and friar Savin the subdeacon. Some days after, when the monks that fled 

 returned, they found the body of the venerable abbot Theodore beheaded at the 

 altar. 



