A shocking twist in one of history's most enduring mysteries has emerged with the discovery of a medieval red silk velvet bag at West Horsley Place in Surrey. As the country prepares to mark the 400th anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh's execution for treason, the 1618 relic could hold the key to unraveling the long-standing conundrum surrounding his severed head.
West Horsley Place was once the home of Carew Raleigh, the son of the infamous explorer, and his family. According to historical accounts, after Sir Walter's beheading at the Palace of Westminster on 29th October 1618, his head was placed into a red bag by his widow before being taken away in a mourning coach with his body. While there is widespread agreement that his body lies at St Margaret's Church in Westminster, the fate of his head has been the subject of much speculation and debate.
Historians have proposed various theories over the years, with some suggesting Lady Raleigh had the head preserved in a case while others believe it remained in a bag until her passing. Mark Wallis, co-director of Past Pleasures, recently inspected the bag and confirmed its authenticity to the period. He noted that, given Lady Raleigh's association with West Horsley Place, "it's much more likely" that the bag held significance.
The Mary Roxburghe Trust has announced plans for further analysis of the bag, as stated by director Peter Pearce. However, not all historians are convinced. Anna Beer, author of 'Patriot or Traitor: The Life and Death of Sir Walter Ralegh,' expressed strong reservations about the discovery, likening it to other myths surrounding Raleigh's life and legacy.
Beer argued that the bag is unlikely to be the one that held Sir Walter's head, citing consistent accounts describing his widow taking away his head in a red leather bag. While acknowledging the possibility of Lady Raleigh using a mummified head for reputation rehabilitation, Beer noted the lack of contemporary eyewitness accounts supporting this theory.