The Henson Journals

[40]

Monday, November 12th, 1917.

1197th day

Hughes brought me from the Library a volume containing divers papers by Canon Brown, the local papist, in which he strives to prove that the body of the Blessed Cuthbert was not buried on the site of his shrine, but privily conveyed away by the monks in 1537, that another body was substituted for the saint's, & that this was found in 1827, and mistakenly identified by Canon Raine as S. Cuthbert's. The argument is ingenious & up to a point plausible, but it is almost entirely hypothetical. It breaks down before (α) the positive facts, and (β) the behaviour of Bishop Tunstall, and (3) the late emergence of the Benedictine tradition. Ella and I walked to Kepier, which I had never before visited. There is a fine ruined gateway and considerable remains of buildings. The farmer's wife showed us a weather–worn crucifix builded into the wall, and a fine 14th century window which had recently been opened out. In the adjacent field a considerable number of men and lads were engaged in the barbarous sport – rabbit–coursing. We walked home by the river, and were rewarded by ravishing views of the Cathedral.

I wrote to Marion for her Birthday, and sent in to the Secretary of the Council the amendment to Lord Parmoor's Resolution which I propose to move on Nov 27th if I get the chance. I named Pearce as the seconder. It will, perhaps, be good for that admirably cautious ecclesiastic to be compelled to declare himself publicly for once!

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