Mysterious Disappearance of Shakespeare's Cranium
In a fascinating discovery that is sure to ignite scholarly debate, archaeologists have uncovered signs of disturbance at the head end of William Shakespeare's grave in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
The investigation, featured in the Channel 4 documentary Secret History: Shakespeare's Tomb, has revealed a "very strange brick structure" in the head end of the Bard's grave. This discovery may explain why the grave of one of England's most famous poets appears incomplete.
The story of Shakespeare's skull being stolen dates back to an 1879 article by Rev Charles Jones Langston titled "How Shakespeare's skull was stolen". According to the tale, around 100 years before the article was written, the skull was said to have been stolen by graverobbers who broke into the church. However, the exact cause of the disturbance at Shakespeare's grave remains unknown.
Interestingly, when investigating the skull, it was found to belong to an unknown woman in her 70s, not Shakespeare. This finding, coupled with the evidence of disturbance, suggests that Shakespeare's skull is indeed missing. Archaeologist Kevin Colls from Staffordshire University stated, "The evidence appears to suggest that Shakespeare's skull is missing, and we don't really know where it could be."
Shakespeare, who claimed to be in perfect health and memory a month before his death in 1616, was baptized and later buried in the same Holy Trinity Church. He and his wife, Anne Hathaway, were buried in shallow graves beneath the church floor, contrary to earlier beliefs about a large underground vault.
On his gravestone, Shakespeare left a final threatening poem, a curse, which reads, "Good friend for Jesus sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed hear, Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones."
The mystery of Shakespeare's skull has long been a subject of legend, with some suggesting it resides in another church in Beoley, Worcestershire. However, this has not been confirmed. As the investigation continues, one thing is certain - the mystery of Shakespeare's skull will continue to intrigue and captivate for years to come.
Kevin Colls added, "It is very convincing that Shakespeare's skull is not at Holy Trinity Church. This discovery will undoubtedly spark discussion, scholarly debate, and controversial theories for years to come."
