Frideswide's remains were indeed commingled with those of Catherine
Dammartin, wife of Peter Vermigli. According to C.F.H. Evans,
"Dammartin," *The Genealogists' Magazine* 15.ii (June, 1965), 59-60,
Vermigli married Catherine, a former nun from Metz; she died in Feb 1553
(N.S.) and was buried, as stated in an earlier message, near the tomb of
St Frideswide in Oxford Cathedral. But as she was a married ex-nun,
Cardinal Pole ordered her remains disinterred and thrown on a dunghill.
In 1558 her remains were somehow or other identified, "and after being
mingled with the relics of St. Frideswide, were reburied in the cathedral
after an oration ending 'hic requiescit religio cum superstitione.' So
the married nun and the virgin saint lie buried together. Catherine
Dammartin is described as reasonably corpulent, but of most matronlike
modesty; and skilled in cutting plumstones into curious faces."
Not a bad companion for eternity, withal. Anyway it would seem that there
is no reason to insist Frideswide's bones AREN't there, somewhere....
John Parsons
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