Bone found hidden in Castle drawer

 

The grisly find in a cabinet has all the elements of a murder mystery, but it appears the bone belongs to an animal, possibly a deer, with staff having no idea the drawer in the 17th century cabinet even existed.

 

“A visitor who was researching the history of the cabinet, as he has one himself that needs restoring, took us through all the secret drawers,” said Emma Marshall, Assistant House Steward at the castle.

 

“We didn’t know the drawers existed and this one was the most secret, hidden behind two others.

 

“When we opened it, there was a dusty bone that had obviously not seen the light of day for years. We have no idea who put it there or why.”

 

On close inspection the bone was revealed to be of animal origin – possibly from the leg of a deer. It’s not the first time the castle has revealed curious items hidden there.

 

“In the 1900s an Elizabethan shoe was discovered under the floorboards of the Oak Drawing Room,” said Emma. “That would probably have been put there for luck and the family left instructions for it never to leave the castle. It is still in its own little display case in the Butler's safe.

 

“Bones of a cat were also found behind Elizabethan panelling in the Long Gallery. These bones could have been put there to ward off evil spirits.”

 

The Charles II cabinet dates to 1670 and has always been in the family. It is made of cocuswood - Jamaican ebony – which nowadays is used for making flutes and clarinets.

 

 “The secret drawer containing the bone was so well hidden. We thought it was the divider between two other drawers but it turned out to be a drawer itself with the bone hidden inside.

 

“Somebody obviously didn’t want it to be found. It really is one of those mystery mysteries!”