Archaeologists who found wounded knight among 2,500 bodies at Hereford Cathedral to release book

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Archaeologists to take story of wounded knight on tour as book on mysterious Hereford burials is published

The body of a wounded knight and the remains of a mystery child have been two of the discoveries to attract speculation from archaeologists across Britain as a result of excavations at Hereford Cathedral this year.

Detailing 2,500 bodies found during a £5 million refurbishment of the area surrounding the city’s cathedral, the osteological reports are about to become a book, Death in the Close, co-authored by Andy Boucher.

“I am really proud of the way the book has come together,” says the Director of Headland Archaeology who, alongside colleague Luke Craddock-Bennett, has planned a talk which will visit the Hay Festival and local venues.

“We have carefully set it out so that it appeals to both an academic and non-academic audience. It will be a great way for people to learn about the work that goes into projects such as the Cathedral Close excavation, which can tell us a huge amount about our past.

“What we found has produced exciting glimpses into life, disease, accident and injury from the Norman Conquest through to the 19th Century.

“The individual believed to be a knight was of particular interest and has numerous injuries likely to have been sustained through jousting - fractures to the ribcage and the right shoulder, and an unusual twisting break to the left leg.

“Analysis of his teeth, undertaken in collaboration with Durham University, suggests that the man was likely to have been brought up in Normandy and moved to Hereford later in life.”

The account of the investigation is set out in literary style, with chapters including the team’s deliberations over their verdict, set out to reflect the murder mystery elements of the discoveries.

“Although we can never be sure how people came about their wounds, in this case there is a considerable amount of evidence that indicates this man was involved in some sort of violent activity,” says Boucher, revisiting some of the secrets they may have solved.

“The fact that he was still doing this after the age of 45 would suggest that he was very tough.

“We’ve planned an exciting and engaging talk, with some unique video footage - and possibly some other surprises in store.”

• Talk takes place on May 22 2015. Tickets £7, book online. Death in the Close, priced at £15 in paperback and £25 in hardback, is available from trusts@herefordcathedral.org. Proceeds from the sale of the book go towards the continued restoration and maintenance of Hereford Cathedral.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

More from Culture24's Archaeology section:

Archaeologists find remains of French-born wounded Norman knight near Hereford Cathedral

Long johns, magnetometers and a 5,000-year-old stone: Archaeological dig progresses in Liverpool park

First Dartmoor stone circle discovery in more than a century fits prehistoric pattern, say archaeologists

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art526535-archaeologists-who-found-wounded-knight-among-2500-bodies-at-hereford-cathedral-to-release-book