Macabre puzzle of the red velvet bag
A red velvet bag which is believed to have been used to carry Sir Walter Raleigh’s head after he was executed to appease the Spanish has been found in a loft.
The Devon-born explorer, who brought potatoes and tobacco to Europe, was executed in 1618 to appease the Spanish after he broke a peace treaty.
After his decapitation at the Tower of London his head was stored in a red velvet bag, thought to have been lost.
But it is now believed that the bag has been found at West Horsley Place in Surrey.
An historian recently visited the stately home and saw an old red velvet bag that had been found in the attic when it was cleared for repairs.
The bag has now been sent for further analysis, but it is likely it could be the long-lost bag that contained Sir Walter’s head.
Peter Pearce, director of the Mary Roxburghe Trust, said: “In 1665, Carew Raleigh sold the estate to Sir Edward Nicholas, First Secretary to Charles I and Charles II.
“It is known that some of the contents were included in the sale – including a collection of family portraits which remained part of the estate until the early 20th century.
“But, to date, we have been unable to find any further reference to the red bag. It was widely presumed that the bag had been buried with Sir Walter’s head in 1660.”
Sir Walter, from Devon, had been a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, who allowed him to explore and colonise, knight- ing him in 1585.
But Raleigh was looked on less favourably King James I, after being linked to a plot against him, so, despite being responsible for cigarettes and chips, Sir Walter was executed at the age of 65.
In 1591, Sir Walter had secretly married Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, without the Queen’s permission.
Upon his execution, contemporary accounts record that after the head had been displayed for the assembled crowd, it was placed in a red velvet or leather bag and presented to Sir Walter’s widow, known as ‘Bess’.
Bess arranged for the head to be embalmed and kept it by her side until she died 29 years later – at West Horsley Place, where she had come to live with her son and his family.
Following Bess’ death, Sir Walter’s head was placed in a cupboard under the stairs at the estate, reappearing in 1660 when tragedy struck the family and Carew’s three children died in an epidemic.
The head was then buried alongside the children in the side chapel of neighbouring St Mary’s Church, West Horsley.
Knowing that Bess had kept Sir Walter’s head by her side in a red velvet or leather bag, the Mary Roxburghe Trust – the charity established to rescue and restore West Horsley Place – sought to find out if it was real.
An initial inspection indicates that it was made in the early 17th century. Its design, the material, sewing techniques and construction are consistent with this period.
Mr Pearce added: “We are greatly encouraged by the results of the initial inspection.
“West Horsley Place dates back to the 15th century, and has passed through the hands of many illustrious owners – including Henry VIII, who enjoyed a 35-course lunch in the Stone Hall.
“It has an extraordinary past which we look forward to unravelling and sharing.”