NHER 8553 (Building record) - St Edmund's Church, Thurne

13th century chancel, tower about 1300, 14th century nave.
Church reroofed, raised in height and some new windows 15th/16th century.
Restored 1853.
17th century ritual burial.
See (S1) in file.
E. Rose (NLA), 27 April 2002.

The 17th century ritual burial mentioned above is described in (S1).
(S1) states that Sir Thomas Browne noted in 1654 that Richard Ferrer was buried in an ox hide, complete with horns, in order to confuse future antiquaries.
S. Spooner (NLA) 8 February 2006

Other burials of individuals within ox hides are found at Lincoln Cathedral and Tintern, but neither of these hides retained the animal's horns. (S2) suggests that this practice may be an act of penance or to preserve the corpse.
Information from [1].
A. Cattermole (NLA), 4 December 2009.