"Viking Skin" Nailed To Medieval Church Doors Is Actually From Farm Animals


22 april 2022

The quiet unassuming St. Botolph’s church in Hadstock, near Cambridge, has a gruesome myth attached to it. In the late 19th century, during repairs, it was discovered that the doorway contained a large fragment of skin under its metal bands. Legend says that the skin was from a Danish (Viking) raider who tried to pillage the church in the 11th century. Subsequently, he was flayed alive and nailed to the door as a gruesome warning

This church is not the only one that has this "human leather" decoration on the front door. At least three medieval churches in England have these skin remains: St. Botolph’s; St Michael & All Angels Church in Copford, near Colchester; and Westminster Abbey in London.

https://www.iflscience.com/plants-an...-farm-animals/