Medieval priest unearthed at Thornton Abbey
Archaeologists have uncovered the body of a medieval priest from an elaborate grave at Thornton Abbey near Ulceby.
University of Sheffield archaeologists uncovered the rare find at the abbey, which was founded as a monastery in 1139 and went onto become one of the richest religious houses in England.
The priest’s gravestone was discovered close to the altar of a former hospital chapel. Unusually for the period, it displayed an inscription of the deceased’s name, Richard de W’Peton and his date of death, 17 April 1317.
The slab also contained an extract from the Bible, specifically Philippians 2:10, which reads: “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” Read more.
