Forum

Digging up Lord Audley in the dead of night

Posted By: peter dzik
Date: Wednesday, 3 October 2007, at 12:04 p.m.

I remember Robert Jack desiring this to get a DNA sample to match current Eardleys. But now its not necessary as excavations at Carmountside in 1995 have removed the need. This was the site of Hulton Abbey, founded 1219 by the Audleys. Inside the abbey walls were some 20 skeletons and many more known outside. The three in front of the altar were shown by DNA to be related, and of the 12th to 14th centuries; and as you know , only the sponsors were allowed such a privileged burial. What clinches it is the state of one of the male skeletons. He was beheaded then split down the middle like the carcasses you see in the butchers. Now only one known historical personage meets this death – William Audley in 1282.
In King Edward’s attack on North Wales,William with several knights and some 200 men were the lead force crossing to Anglesey on a makeshift bridge of lashed together across the mile wide strait. The treacherous tides and currents damaged the bridge, and William’s force was massacred before the army could cross. Obviously many of the troops were from Audley lands in North Staffs.
I later found that a full report of the invasion was on the web from the Audley Historian magazine 1995.
So Dna records from 1995-6 are now available.
Bye pete