Many human bones, coins and artefacts were found in Chapel Close, Langham, Rutland. We wonder if more have been found since.
“There is a small close near the village of Langham, in Rutland, which has for many centuries been known by the name of the Chapel Close; and it is supposed from the rise of the ground in one part of the close, that a Romish chapel formerly stood on the spot, but there is not any record which shows how long it has been destroyed, though that event is supposed to have occurred long before the Reformation. This ground is now in the occupation of Mr. John Messing, of Langham; the parishioners are making a pit through it for getting stone to repair the roads, and the workmen have found at different times eight complete human skeletons, one of which was measured as it lay on the earth, and was found to be considerably more than six feet from the skull to the bottom of the leg bones; and at the bottom of one of the arm bones lay a ring, which is supposed to have been on the finger of the deceased person. Not any remains of a coffin of any kind have been found; and the ring was so decayed that is broke into small bits on slight pressure. The persons employed have likewise found five pieces of ancient silver coin, about the size of old sixpences, but worn very thin, and having on them the figure of some monarch, and a Latin inscription scarcely visible; – also a small copper coin, of the size of a farthing; the date under the tail-side is very much defaced, but it seems to be 850, which makes it nearly a thousand years old: it is supposed to be of the reign of Athelwolf, who died in 856. A great deal of melted lead and slate has likewise been found, and some small bits of beautiful pavement, &c.-The hill or rising ground is dug about halfway through, and it is conjectured that something still more curious may yet be found.”
The Stamford Mercury, 11th February, 1825.