In the _Journal of the Archæological Institute_, for September,
1848, there are some most interesting notes on the subject of
"Flaying in Punishment of Sacrilege," by Mr. Way. Since then I have
felt peculiar interest in the facts and traditions recorded by Mr.
Way. Can any of your correspondents, or Mr. Way himself, give any
further references to authors by whom the subject is mentioned,
besides those named in the paper to which I allude? A few weeks ago
I received a piece of skin, stated to be human, and taken from the
door of the parish church of Hadstock, in Essex. Together with this
I received a short written paper, apparently written some fifty
years ago, which ascribes the fact of human skin being found on the
door of that church, to the punishment, _not_ of _sacrilege_, but of
a somewhat different crime. The piece of skin has been pronounced to
be human by the highest authority. As the above query might lead to
some lengthy "notes," I desire only to be informed of the titles of
any works, ancient or modern, in which distinct mention, or
allusion, is made of the punishment of flaying.
R.V.
Winchester.
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