Tag: 1649

Although plundered, dismantled, and generally neglected, the stone slabs that constituted the centra aisle of the Chapel of St George were firm and intact. Although Henry VIII had only been dead for around 100-years – and given that much of his reforms had led directly to the Civil Wars – it is incredible to think that nobody remembered where he was buried. That is until the occupying Parliamentarians, having hit one of the slabs with a stick, noticed a hollow noise was returned. Having accidently re-discovered Henry’s tomb – it was decided that Charlie would be laid to rest with his fellow despots – even though he was a Stuart from Scotland and Henry was a Tudor from Wales. Although decisively hit in the neck by the executioner’s blow (using an axe) – there is some disagreement as to whether the head of Charles was sown back upon his neck – which was the usual practice. Some say “yes” – whilst others say “no”. Whatever the case, when Charlie gave the agreed signal – the executioner brought-down the axe and the bigoted rhetoric of Charlie suddenly came to an abrupt end.