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| Topic (2 Responses) | Posted |
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| SKELETON When Daphne and the workmen discovered the skeleton during the renovations of Menabilly how did they know he was a Royalist soldier ? The inspiration for The Kings General ? | Tue 20/10/26 02:32 PM |
Response
Hello David, The skeleton of the Cavalier discovered at Menabilly was not found during any renovations Daphne du Maurier did while she lived there. He was discovered in 1824 when William Rashleigh of Menabilly had some alterations done to the house. While demolishing a buttress that seemed to be of no benefit to the building, the workman found the skeleton of a young man sitting on a stool with a trencher at his feet. The remains of the clothing he was wearing were recognisable as the clothes of a Cavalier. His remains were buried in the churchyard at Tywardreath Church, in an unmarked grave so that nobody would know where it was and he would not be disturbed again. Daphne du Maurier heard this story and was influenced by it when she wrote her novel The King’s General, the first novel she wrote after she moved into Menabilly. I hope this answers your question. Ann Willmore (on behalf of the Daphne du Maurier website).Posted on Tue 20/10/26 02:34 PM
Response
Thank you so much Ann that’s fascinatingPosted on Tue 20/10/26 05:04 PM
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