SDO10213 - Observations on the Stone Coffins found at Christ-Church. By Mr. Pegge. In a Letter to Gustavus Brander, Esq.

A letter from Mr. Pegge to Gustavus Brander read to the Society of Antiquaries on November 13th 1777. The letter concerns the discovery by Gustavus Brander of three cist burials on the site of Christchurch Priory. Mr. Pegge had been asked by Brander to comment on their likely age. Pegge, in noting that the cist coffins were of relatively simple design, suggested that they were of 'Barbarous' design and 4th century or older in date. The coffins were formed of at least 11 large pieces of stone arranged around the sides with no base. Mr. Pegge believed that this stone had been imported from the Caen region of France and was certainly not local to Christchurch, an area poor in local building stone. Pegge mentions that Brander had sent him a sketch depicting the positions of the cists. This sketch is not included in the letter and the exact find spots are not known. It seems likely, however, that the finds were made during construction of Priory House, thought to have been built by Brander circa. 1765.