St Leonard's Church, Hythe, Kent - a photo on Flickriver

St Leonard's Church, Hythe, Kent

St Leonard's Church at Hythe in Kent has an almost unique claim to fame; it is one of only two English churches with a surviving ossuary for storing human bones - all found while re-digging graves in the crowded 11th century churchyard. Around 2000 skulls and 8,000 thigh bones are stored under the chancel and are available to view from 11am until 1pm each day (closed in winter).

www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/albums/7215770022738... to view full set on the church.

The bones represent the minimum required for Resurrection (according to Christian belief). The image of such bones is often found on gravestones of the 17th and 18th century, leading to the mistaken belief that it is the grave of a 'pirate'. The skull and crossed bones merely represent The Resurrection. The symbol was only later borrowed by pirates as an early flag was a skull and crossed swords.

The church has been on the Hythe site nearly 1000 years and many of the bones are more than 700 years old. The collection includes many unusual injuries as well as healed examples of brain operations (trepanning). One person survived a stab in the skull, another had a prominent bony tumour. One skull may be more recent - 18th or 19th century - as it appears to have undergone an medical post-mortem with the cranium removed with a saw.

Sadly the collection was recently burgled and some 21 skulls were stolen. Kent police are appealing for witnesses or seeking anyone offering such skulls for sale.

Taken on: September 19, 2018

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St Leonard's

Hythe

Ossuary

bones

skulls

medieval

charnel house

England

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Sets appears in: • Hythe Church, Kent

Groups appears in: • Churches - Please read the rules before posting • English Parish Churches (whole exteriors only) more » • Church Exteriors • 100 Views • Centurian Club (100-200 Views) • 100 (One Hundred) Views (-200) • Views: 200 • World's Favorite (1 or more faves each) No limit of Faved Photo • churchcrawling • architecture.tower • Cinque Ports « less

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