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Excavations on the site of the burial ground of Greyfriars, Ipswich’s Franciscan friary, uncovered 150 burials. Evidence suggests that the friary served as a hospice, with skeletons showing a range of medical conditions. Nine of the bodies show evidence of north African origins, probably from Tunisia. One of them died from the effects of a spinal abscess, for which he may have sought treatment at the friary. It is possible he was a Muslim brought back to Ipswich by Sir Robert Tiptoft of Nettlestead, the founder of the Ipswich Greyfriars. Sir Robert accompanied the Lord Edward (later King Edward I) on his crusade to the Holy Land in 1270 (going via Tunis) and later played a major role in the conquest and administration of Wales. (Information from Suffolk Archaeological Services) see also Current Archaeology 244 p. 9. The burial was featured on BBC2’s History Cold Case programme: go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sbjp7 for details . |
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