The Major Works (English Library) (31 page)

Some men considering the contents of these Urnes, lasting peeces and toyes included in them, and the custome of burning with many other Nations, might somewhat doubt whether all Urnes found among us, were properly
Romane
Reliques, or some not belonging unto our
Brittish, Saxon
, or
Danish
Fore-fathers.

In the form of Buriall among the ancient
Brittains
, the large Discourses of
Cæsar, Tacitus
, and
Strabo
are silent: For the discovery whereof, with other particulars, we much deplore the losse of that Letter which
Cicero
expected or received from his Brother
Quintus
, as a resolution of
Brittish
customes;
³³
or the
account which might have been made by
Scribonius Largus
the Physician, accompanying the Emperour
Claudius
, who might have also discovered that frugall Bit of the Old
Brittains
, which in the bignesse of a Bean could satisfie their thirst and hunger.
³⁴

But that the
Druids
and ruling Priests used to burn and bury, is expressed by
Pomponius
; That
Bellinus
the Brother of
Brennus
, and King of
Brittains
was burnt, is acknowledged by
Polydorus
.
³⁵
That they held that practise in
Gallia, Cæsar
expresly delivereth.
³⁶
Whether the
Brittains
(probably descended from them, of like Religion, Language and Manners) did not sometimes make use of burning; or whether at least such as were after civilized unto the
Romane
life and manners, conformed not unto this practise, we have no historicall assertion or deniall. But since from the account of
Tacitus
³⁷
the
Romanes
early wrought so much civility upon the Brittish stock, that they brought them to build Temples, to wear the Gowne, and study the
Romane
Laws and language, that they conformed also unto their religious rites and customes in burials, seems no improbable conjecture.

That burning the dead was used in
Sarmatia
, is affirmed by
Gaguinus
, that the
Sueons
and
Gothlanders
³⁸
used to burne their Princes and great persons, is delivered by
Saxo
and
Olaus
; that this was the old
Germane
practice, is also asserted by
Tacitus
. And though we are bare in historicall particulars of such obsequies in this Island, or that the
Saxons, Jutes
, and
Angles
burnt their dead, yet came they from parts where ’twas of ancient practise; the
Germanes
using it, from whom they were descended. And even in
Jutland
and
Sleswick
in
Anglia Cymbrica
,
³⁹
Urnes with bones were found not many years before us.

But the
Danish
and Northern Nations have raised an
Æra
or
point of compute from their Custome of burning their dead:
⁴⁰
Some deriving it from
Unguinus
, some from
Frotho
the great; who ordained by Law, that Princes and Chief Commanders should be committed unto the fire, though the common sort had the common grave enterrment. So
Starkatterus
that old
Heroe
was burnt, and
Ringo
royally burnt the body of
Harald
the King slain by him.

What time this custome generally expired in that Nation, we discern no assured period; whether it ceased before Christianity, or upon their Conversion, by
Ausgarius
the Gaul in the time of
Ludovicus Pius
the Sonne of
Charles
the great, according to good computes; or whether it might not be used by some persons, while for a hundred and eighty years Paganisme and Christianity were promiscuously embraced among them, there is no assured conclusion. About which times the
Danes
were busie in
England
, and particularly infested this Countrey: Where many Castles and strong holds, were built by them, or againsf them, and great number of names and Families still derived from them. But since this custome was probably disused before their Invasion or Conquest, and the
Romanes
confessedly practised the same, since their possession of this Island, the most assured account will fall upon the
Romanes
, or
Brittains Romanized
.

However certain it is, that Urnes conceived of no
Romane
Originall, are often digged up both in
Norway
, and
Denmark
, handsomely described, and graphically represented by the Learned Physician
Wormius
,
⁴¹
And in some parts of
Denmark
in no ordinary number, as stands delivered by Authours exactly describing those Countreys.
⁴²
And they contained not only bones, but many other substances in them, as Knives, peeces of Iron, Brasse and Wood, and one of
Norwaye
a brasse guilded Jewes-harp.

Nor were they confused or carelesse in disposing the noblest
sort, while they placed large stones in circle about the Urnes, or bodies which they interred: Somewhat answerable unto the Monument of
Rollrich
stones in
England
, or sepulcrall Monument probably erected by
Rollo
, who after conquered
Normandy
. Where ’tis not improbable somewhat might be discovered. Mean while to what Nation or person belonged that large Urne found at
Ashburie
, containing mighty bones, and a Buckler; What those large Urnes found at little
Massingham
,
⁴³
or why the
Angelsea
Urnes are placed with their mouths downward, remains yet undiscovered.

CHAPTER III

Playstered and whited Sepulchres, were anciently affected in cadaverous, and corruptive Burials; And the rigid Jews were wont to garnish the Sepulchres of the righteous;
¹
Ulysses
in
Hecuba
²
cared not how meanly he lived, so he might finde a noble Tomb after death. Great Princes affected great Monuments, And the fair and larger Urnes contained no vulgar ashes, which makes that disparity in those which time discovereth among us. The present Urnes were not of one capacity, the largest containing above a gallon, Some not much above half that measure; nor all of one figure, wherein there is no strict conformity, in the same or different Countreys; Observable from those represented by
Casalius, Bosio
, and others, though all found in
Italy
. While many have handles, ears, and long necks, but most imitate a circular figure, in a sphericall and round composure; whether from any mystery, best duration or capacity, were but a conjecture. But the common form with necks was a proper figure, making our last bed like our first; nor much unlike the Urnes of our Nativity, while we lay in the nether part of the Earth,
³
and inward vault of our Microcosme.
⁴
Many Urnes are red, these but of a black colour, somewhat smooth, and dully sounding, which begat some doubt, whether they were burnt, or only baked in Oven or Sunne: According to the ancient way, in many bricks, tiles, pots, and testaceous
⁵
works; and as the word
testa
⁶
is properly to be taken, when occurring without addition: And chiefly intended by
Pliny
, when he commendeth bricks and tiles of two years old, and to make them in the spring. Nor only these concealed peeces, but the open magnificence of Antiquity, ran much in the Artifice of Clay. Hereof the house of
Mausolus
was built, thus old
Jupiter
stood in the Capitoll, and the
Statua
of
Hercules
made in the Reign of
Tarquinius Priscus
, was extant in
Plinies
dayes. And such as declined burning or Funerall Urnes, affected Coffins of Clay, according to the mode of
Pythagoras
, and was preferred by
Varro
.
⁷
But the spirit of great ones was above these circumscriptions, affecting copper, silver, gold, and
Porphyrie
Urnes, wherein
Severus
lay, after a serious view and sentence on that which should contain him.
⁸
Some of these Urnes were thought to have been silvered over, from sparklings in several pots, with small Tinsell parcels; uncertain whether from the earth, or the first mixture in them.

Among these Urnes we could obtain no good account of their coverings; Only one seemed arched over with some kinde of brickwork. Of those found at
Buxton
⁹
some were covered with flints, some in other parts with tiles, those at
Yarmouth Caster
, were closed with
Romane
bricks. And some have proper earthen covers adapted and fitted to them. But in the
Homerical
Urne of
Patroclus
,
¹⁰
whatever was the solid Tegument,
¹¹
we finde the immediate covering to be a purple peece of silk: And such as had no covers might have the earth closely pressed into them, after which disposure were probably some of these, wherein we
found the bones and ashes half mortered unto the sand and sides of the Urne; and some long roots of Quich, or Dogs-grass wreathed about the bones.

No Lamps, included Liquors, Lachrymatories, or Tear-bottles attended these rurall Urnes, either as sacred unto the
Manes
, or passionate expressions of their surviving friends. While with rich flames, and hired tears they solemnized their Obsequies, and in the most lamented Monuments made one part of their Inscriptions.
¹²
Some finde sepulchrall Vessels containing liquors, which time hath incrassated
¹³
into gellies. For beside these Lachrymatories, notable Lamps, with Vessels of Oyles and Aromaticall Liquors attended noble Ossuaries. And some yet retaining a Vinosity
¹⁴
and spirit in them, which if any have tasted they have farre exceeded the Palats of Antiquity. Liquors not to be computed by years of annuall Magistrates, but by great conjunctions and the fatall periods Kingdomes.
¹⁵
The draughts of Consulary date,
¹⁶
were but crude unto these, and
Opimian
Wine
¹⁷
but in the must unto them.

In sundry Graves and Sepulchres, we meet with Rings, Coynes, and Chalices; Ancient frugality was so severe, that they allowed no gold to attend the Corps, but only that which served to fasten their teeth.
¹⁸
Whether the
Opaline
stone in this Urne
¹⁹
were burnt upon the finger of the dead, or cast into the fire by some affectionate friend, it will consist with either custome. But other incinerable substances were found so fresh, that they could feel no sindge from fire. These upon view were judged to be wood, but sinking in water and tried by the fire, we found them to be bone or Ivory. In their hardnesse and yellow colour
they most resembled Box, which in old expressions found the Epithete of Eternall,
²⁰
and perhaps in such conservatories
²¹
might have passed uncorrupted.

That Bay-leaves were found green in the Tomb of
S. Humbert
,
²²
after an hundred and fifty years, was looked upon as miraculous. Remarkable it was unto old Spectators, that the Cypresse of the Temple of
Diana
, lasted so many hundred years: The wood of the Ark and Olive Rod of
Aaron
²³
were older at the Captivity. But the Cypresse of the Ark of
Noah
, was the greatest vegetable Antiquity, if
Josephus
²⁴
were not deceived, by some fragments of it in his dayes. To omit the Moore-logs, and Firre-trees found under-ground in many parts of
England
; the undated ruines of windes, flouds or earthquakes; and which in
Flanders
still shew from what quarter they fell, as generally lying in a North-East position.
²⁵

But though we found not these peeces to be Wood, according to first apprehension, yet we missed not altogether of some woody substance; For the bones were not so clearly pickt, but some coals were found amongst them; A way to make wood perpetuall, and a fit associat for metall, whereon was laid the foundation of the great
Ephesian
Temple, and which were made the lasting tests of old boundaries and Landmarks; Whilest we look on these, we admire not Observations of Coals found fresh, after four hundred years.
²⁶
In a long deserted habitation,
²⁷
even Egge-shels have been found fresh, not tending to corruption.

In the Monument of King
Childerick
, the Iron Reliques were found all rusty and crumbling into peeces. But our little Iron pins which fastened the Ivory works, held well together, and lost not their Magneticall quality, though wanting a tenacious moisture for the firmer union of parts, although it be hardly
drawn into fusion, yet thatmetall soon submitteth unto rust and dissolution. In the brazen peeces we admired not the duration but the freedome from rust, and ill savour; upon the hardest attrition, but now exposed unto the piercing Atomes of ayre; in the space of a few moneths, they begin to spot and betray their green entrals. We conceive not these Urnes to have descended thus naked as they appear, or to have entred their graves without the old habit of flowers. The Urne of
Philopæmen
was so laden with flowers and ribbons, that it afforded no sight of it self.
²⁸
The rigid
Lycurgus
allowed Olive and Myrtle. The
Athenians
might fairly except against the practise of
Democritus
to be buried up in honey; as fearing to embezzle a great commodity of their Countrey, and the best of that kinde in
Europe
. But
Plato
seemed too frugally politick, who allowed no larger Monument then would contain four Heroick Verses, and designed the most barren ground for sepulture:
²⁹
Though we cannot commend the goodnesse of that sepulchrall ground, which was set at no higher rate then the mean salary of
Judas
.
³⁰
Though the earth had confounded
³¹
the ashes of these Ossuaries, yet the bones were so smartly burnt, that some thin plates of brasse were found half melted among them: whereby we apprehend they were not of the meanest carcasses, perfunctorily fired as sometimes in military, and commonly in pestilence, burnings; or after the manner of abject corps, hudled forth and carelesly burnt, without the Esquiline Port at
Rome
;
³²
which was an affront continued
³³
upon
Tiberius
, while they but half burnt his body,
³⁴
and in the Amphitheatre, according to the custome in notable Malefactors; whereas
Nero
seemed not so much to feare his death, as that his head should be cut off, and his body not burnt entire.
³⁵

Some finding many fragments of sculs in these Urnes, suspected a mixture of bones; In none we searched was there cause of such conjecture, though sometimes they declined not that practise; The ashes of
Domitian
were mingled with those of
Julia
, of
Achilles
with those of
Patroclus
;
³⁶
All Urnes contained not single ashes; Without confused burnings they affectionately compounded their bones; passionately endeavouring to continue their living Unions. And when distance of death denied such conjunctions, unsatisfied affections, conceived some satisfaction to be neighbours in the grave, to lye Urne by Urne, and touch but in their names. And many were so curious to continue their living relations, that they contrived large, and family Urnes, wherein the Ashes of their nearest friends and kindred might successively be received,
³⁷
at least some parcels thereof, while their collaterall memorials lay in
minor
vessels about them.

Antiquity held too light thoughts from Objects of mortality, while some drew provocatives of mirth from Anatomies, and Juglers shewed tricks with Skeletons.
³⁸
When Fidlers made not so pleasant mirth as Fencers, and men could sit with quiet stomacks while hanging was plaied before them.
³⁹
Old considerations made few
memento’s
by sculs and bones upon their monuments. In the Ægyptian Obelisks and Hieroglyphicall figures it is not easie to meet with bones. The sepulchrall Lamps speak nothing lesse then sepulture; and in their literall draughts prove often obscene and antick peeces: Where we finde
D
.
M
.
⁴⁰
it is obvious to meet with sacrificing
patera
’s,
⁴¹
and vessels of

libation, upon old sepulchrall Monuments. In the Jewish
Hypogaum
⁴²
and subterranean Cell at
Rome
, was little observable beside the variety of Lamps, and frequent draughts of the holy Candlestick.
⁴³
In authentick draughts of
Anthony
and
Jerome
,
⁴⁴
we meet with thigh-bones and deaths heads; but the cemiteriall Cels of ancient Christians and Martyrs, were filled with draughts of Scripture Stories; not declining the flourishes of Cypresse, Palmes, and Olive; and the mysticall Figures of Peacocks, Doves and Cocks. But iterately
⁴⁵
affecting the pourtraits of
Enoch, Lazarus, Jonas
, and the Vision of
Ezechiel
,
⁴⁶
as hopefull draughts, and hinting imagery of the Resurrection; which is the life of the grave, and sweetens our habitations in the Land of Moles and Pismires.

Gentile Inscriptions precisely delivered the extent of mens lives, seldome the manner of their deaths, which history it self so often leaves obscure in the records of memorable persons. There is scarce any Philosopher but dies twice or thrice in
Laertius
; Nor almost any life without two or three deaths in
Plutarch
; which makes the tragicall ends of noble persons more favourably resented
⁴⁷
by compassionate Readers, who finde some relief in the Election of such differences.

The certainty of death is attended with uncertainties, in time, manner, places. The variety of Monuments hath often obscured true graves: and
Cenotaphs
confounded Sepulchres. For beside their reall Tombs, many have found honorary and empty Sepulchres. The variety of
Homers
Monuments made him of various Countreys.
Euripides
had his Tomb in
Attica
, but his sepulture in
Macedonia
,
⁴⁸
And
Severus
found his real Sepulchre in
Rome
, but his empty grave in
Gallia
.
⁴⁹

He that lay in a golden Urne
⁵⁰
eminently above the Earth, was not like to finde the quiet of these bones. Many of these Urnes were broke by a vulgar discoverer in hope of inclosed treasure. The ashes of
Marcellus
were lost above ground, upon the like account.
⁵¹
Where profit hath prompted, no age hath wanted such miners. For which the most barbarous Expilators found the most civill Rhetorick.
⁵²
Gold once out of the earth is no more due unto it; What was unreasonably committed to the ground is reasonably resumed from it: Let Monuments and rich Fabricks, not Riches adorn mens ashes. The commerce of the living is not to be transfered unto the dead: It is not injustice to take that which none complains to lose, and no man is wronged where no man is possessor.