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Many thanks, Peter (fount of all knowledge regarding Thomas of Hereford, and much more)! For those without access to the web, hereunder is the short article in the local Hereford newspaper. George * * * * * * * * Archeologists probe tomb of a great man SLOWLY but surely the fragile stone slab covering the ancient tomb of St Thomas Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford, has been raised, writes ELIZABETH WATKINS. An elaborate system of jacks and hoists was rigged up in Hereford Cathedral's north transept to carry out the delicate operation, supervised by consultant archaeologist Ron Shoesmith and a team of skilled conservators. As expected, no remains were found inside the medieval shrine, one of the most complete in the country. Cantilupe's bones were dispersed at the time of the Reformation. The only find was a piece of slate inscribed by a Victorian wag with the words 'gone to the dogs by the time you read this' and dated 1861. The dismantling of the tomb is part of a #20,000 restoration directed by English Heritage and part-funded by Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust. Tests will reveal whether the lid of the 700-year-old tomb, which once bore a full-length brass of Cantilupe, is of Purbeck marble or, as some believe, of polished limestone from the Bishops Frome area. Cantilupe, a well-known clergyman and chancellor of England, died in Italy on his way to see the Pope. It was reported that miracles happened after his death and this hastened his canonisation. Perpetual trust director Sue Embury said: ''It was extremely satisfying to see this stage of the conservation programme go so well. None of this would have been possible without generous donations.'' * * * * * * * * George Ferzoco tel ++ 44 (0)116 252 2654 Director of Studies for Italian fax ++ 44 (0)116 252 3633 University of Leicester e-mail [log in to unmask] School of Modern Languages LEICESTER LE1 7RH UNITED KINGDOM %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%