This month, our resident urban myths investigator Matt Blaney delves into a strange story surrounding the Southwell Minster Lectern...
As far as buried treasure goes, Newstead Abbey is definitely not on George Lucas’ radar as the location for the inevitable sixth instalment of Indiana Jones. However, for keen-eyed readers, Newstead Abbey has been a recurring feature of this November edition, so it would be rude not to explore its buried history. Or rather, its submerged history.
One of the many owners of Newstead Abbey is believed to have been in some serious trouble, not only financially but socially as well – that was the fifth Lord Byron, also known as the ‘Wicked Lord’ or (my personal favourite) the ‘Devil Byron.’ He was awarded this nickname because of his involvement in the death of his cousin and neighbour, William Chaworth.( I say involvement, but really, he was convicted of manslaughter given the fact that following a drunken debate, he drew out his sword and stabbed Chaworth.) Following a series of debts incurred by the fifth Lord Byron, he was forced to sell many of his assets to offset these debts - presumably ones incurred by defence lawyers. Consequently, one of these assets was an eagle lectern which was sold to a clergyman. Now this is where that eagle’s story becomes rather murky.
It is believed that the eagle lectern was initially found in the deepest part of the lake at Newstead Abbey. It is unclear as to why people were swimming around the deepest part of the lake in the first place, but for the sake of folklore, we shall continue with this myth.
Upon retrieving the eagle from the lake, it was in dire straits and in need of cleaning after being submerged for so many years. It was soon taken to a brazier who began to unscrew parts of the lectern and found several documents relating to a medieval monastery, bearing seals from Edward III and Henry VIII. To the brazier’s surprise, these documents were in mint condition, despite being within the drowned golden lectern. At this point, I would fully understand if you were to reject the validity of this legend, given the fact that it infers that paper does not get wet.
These documents were believed to have been hidden within the eagle lectern by the friars, just before Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, then disposed of in the lake. The hope was that these documents would be retrieved, and substantiate the friar’s rights.
This legend stems from one Colonel Thomas Wildman who purchased the property from Lord Byron (the poet Lord Byron - not to be confused with his great-uncle with murderous intent). During a big lad’s weekender, Wildman invited his friend Washington Irving to stay with him for three weeks. A short story writer best known for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Irving was quite an imaginative fellow. His hearing this tale from the Colonel perhaps explains much of the eagle lectern’s rather unrealistic backstory.
Despite whether you believe it to be truth or legend, you can find the eagle lectern in Southwell Minster, in the choir area, in very good condition. However, the concealed documents are not on display. Presumably because Irving made it up…
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