Thursday, April 30, 2009

Question from Gervase - Elizabeth's coffin

Was the coffin of Elizabeth I ever opened, and if so, what was the reason?

2 comments:

Kathy said...

I don't believe it has ever been opened since its internment in Westminster Abbey. The last time I was there though, a guide mentioned that the marble statuary on top was heavy enough that it was crushing the coffins of Elizabeth and her sister Mary and that eventually there would have to be some work done on that. I don't know if that would mean opening either of the coffins though.

Unknown said...

According to one of Elizabeth's Maids of Honor the coffin burst in the weeks before it was buried and had to be remade. There is some evidence that the body was not properly preserved and it seems the gases escaped..with unfortunate results. The details can be found in my book, After Elizabeth, best wishes, Leanda de Lisle