Status: For sale
Inquiries: merrylinhouse@gmail.com

The large scale study of winged bipeds and human mimics, circa 1896

One of the many fascinating and abhorrent traits of Homo sapien is our baffling arrogance when considering our place amongst other species. We look to the great apes and can literally see the similarities (and now thanks to modern genetics, know that the link is far deeper than mere aesthetic) and yet those subtle nuances allow us to stand proud and tall on our pedestal and dictate how other life should fall below us, or at least be subjected to our every whim.

However, humans are of course not the only species on this planet to be humanoid, part of the hominid family or indeed bear a striking resemblance to us. Bipedal humanoid life on the earth is indeed rare, even more so in the last 2000 years, thanks to the aforementioned Homo Sapien. Like so many species we know little about, our lack of knowledge can lead to some curious ideas. Those who think of tiger bone as a remedy for ailments, is now a species on the brink of extinction, an incredibly sad product of ignorance and wishful thinking. This process has seen many of the lesser species of Homomimus become pestle and mortar fodder, their tiny frames relegated to pointless apothecary. Populations of Winged Homomimus plummeted during the dark ages, caught like butterflies and eaten alive or steeped in boiling water to cure a myriad of pustules, sores and blisters on the malnourished peasants of Europe. The Wingless Homomimus, Larva non volucris, bizarre miniature humans, whose anatomy beggars belief in its similarity to our own, were often kept as pets, trained to hunt mice and rats in rich homes, those who escaped these unpleasant existences living off the scraps of humanity, far from their natural hives in dark woods, and bore legends of faerie folk who’d borrow and never give back.

But Homomimus was not the only species of tiny folk. The wastes of northern Norway and Lapland were home to the Homunculi, a species of pygmy hominid, that stood at around 18 inches tall. These nocturnal creatures lived in subterranean cave systems, and fed on roots and stems. They were also hunted to extinction by humans eager to own trophies of Elves and Dwarves.

Of the less humanoid are Homo Vespertilius Chiropterus, one of the very view membranous winged mammals outside the Bat family. This species are aggressive carnivores, hunting in flocks of many hundreds in the Amazon. Their teeth are razor like shards of bone, attacking en masse and inflicting hundreds of tiny wounds each a lethal bite – their saliva riddled with fatal viruses.

There are a few arthropod like human mimics, although anatomically the similarities are vague. Homomimus Arachnida, and Malacostraca are two examples. These crustacean like animals have strong leathery exo skeletons and in some cases, they are winged, yet differ greatly from the winged Homomimus and sport membranous wings like that of a dragonfly.

These specimens are presented in a large fine study case, 28 inches x 26 inches x 10 inches, housing many specimens, annotated illustrations and apparatus for the study of our various human like minutiae. Owned by Thomas Merrylin, specimens collected by Hoxton Butcher, Merrylin himself and the esteemed naturalist Doris S. Gerbeltod.

Status: SOLD

Three specimens of deep sea marine life. A Viper fish, Chauliodus danae, an Angler fish Melanocetus johnsonii and a very young Colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, acquired by Merrylin from the Starkweather foundation after one of their many maritime expeditions.

In support of the upcoming exhibition at the Old Operating Theatre I have created a series of illustrations based upon the annotated drawings of Merrylin, Harrell and others. These ten illustrations depict the anatomy of various species such as Draco, Vampyr, Lycanthropes, amongst lesser known subjects. These detailed illustrations will be sold as a set and will be available soon!

Regards

Alex

Status: Sold
For commission inquiries: merrylinhouse@gmail.com

“A collection of despised texts, pertaining to the knowledge gleaned by the wanderer Alhazred.”

Abdul Alhazred is noted as the author of the original Al azif, the fabled texts that detail arcane magic, ideas and truthes about a collection of malevolent, yet often indifferent extra terrestrial entities that could be considered gods, due to their age – some are thought to have existed in previous incarnations of our universe, or indeed, responsible for the universe – yet not through some benevolent creation mythos, more likely an accident. This book is one of many books, written by wanderers, prophets, thinkers and madmen. Alhazred penned the Al azif in the final years of his life, around 730 AD, whilst living in Damascus. He spent many months alone in the deserts of Arabia, communing with what he called “evil sand spirits”. His death is often disputed, some say he was kidnapped and taken to a nameless city, the vestiges of a race whose knowledge of the unknown surpassed Al Hazred. Some say he was killed for stealing bread, or indeed eaten alive by some vile creature.

His book was copied countless times, and was considered one of a number of books which together formed a far larger text – often known as the “desert book” or later “Sand bibles”. The texts were distributed and copied by many followers of the old gods, factions of which fought and murdered in the name of whatever tentacular abomination they considered the most depraved and unholy of the deific family. Different Gods were honoured in different habitats, the decrepit seaside villages often the mighty Dagon, Hydra and Cthulhu, the forests Shub Niggurath or Tsathaggua. Of the sands, Hastur, and above all, he who shall not be named (although often was,) Azathoth, the Godhead.

Predating Al Azif is the Nardor Halefa, a psalm book with illustrations and text taken from books which may have influenced Alhazred. This volume accounts a number of ideologies pertaining to the gate and the key, Yog Sothoth, the all in one, and one in all. Yog Sothoth is apparently capable of knowing all, and the book explains the genealogy of the deific family, and thus the order of prayer and the eventual key to enlightenment. The book is written in a dead alphabet not unlike Essot. The book is crude, bound in hide, possibly cow or indeed human, and sports a clasp engraved with an “elder sign” and various unknown hieroglyphs. It has various page markers added by, and written by Merrylin himself.

The book came into the possession of Merrylin in the late 1890′s, after he himself traveled to the Arabian Peninsula in search of a forgotten settlement, known as the “Nameless City” or “city of Pillars”. It was said that Alhazred himself discovered the city and that it played a part in the penning of his book. Merrylin sought an authentic copy of this book, or indeed proof that the man had been there. It is said that the ruins did speak of some ancient, inhuman presence, the very architecture unsuitable for a humanoid frame, with walls far too low. Yet in his diaries he does mention what he found.

“I entered a very low arch, so low that I had to crawl in, digging away at parched sand, which although brittle, was hard going. I eventually came across a dark hollow, which opened up to an abyss of terrible blackness. It was here that I descended into a subterranean space, lit by an unseen source. Of my findings, a burial chamber, disturbed, the sarcophagus of a man I believed to be the mad Arab Alhazred. Someone else had visited the tomb, taking with them objects that had left impressions in the dust. Yet they had not taken everything, other bodies held multiple volumes, a cavalcade of knowledge. I heard stirrings in the dark and made a hasty exit, not before resealing the tomb of the original author. I would like to wish him sweet dreams, but considering the gods he worshiped, I imagine they are not.”

Along with a number of other books and items which sparked a great interest in seeking out information regarding the fabled “Cthulhu Mythos,” this would eventually culminate in one of the last collections added to his personal horde. Around 1935, the explorer William Dyer would donate a haul of specimens brought back from an ill fated expedition to the Antarctic. Merrylin would construct an elaborate interconnection between his copies of the Pnakotic Manuscripts, Necrotic texts and writings of the Elder things into one of the most comprehensive histories of the Old ones.

This is series one of a collection of illustrations based upon interpretations of the annotated drawings of Merrylin, Harrell and the cleric Abramo. These will be available soon, 12 x 12 inch prints on watercolour paper.

I will no longer be using the mailing list as it seems a little redundant, for anyone interested in keeping updated about the exhibition and current works, my facebook page is:

http://www.facebook.com/TheMerrylinCollection

Click on the image for a much larger view!

Thank you to everyone who has attended the exhibition so far! We had a great time at the private view and the museum is well worth visiting regardless of the specimens we have on show there. The exhibition runs until the 1st september, and there are nine specimens on show amongst the plethora of bizarre items that make up the oeuvre of the Old operating theatre!

status: sold

“The collected research of the Never Isles by naturalist James Hook.”

James Hook was a young man when he began a life as a crew member on trade ships bound for the Orient. He had been destined for a life at Eton, with many career opportunities laid out before him by his family, yet his fascination with the writings of Darwin had painted a much more romantic life goal, to set sail and seek new lands, and new life, to contribute to the growing public fascination with biology and natural history.
Although his father had issued rewards for his safe return and a large police presence at london dock yards, James was never caught and he would spend the next 15 years at sea. He went to the Galapagos, traveled to Australia and much of China and Japan, yet his exploits did not garner much evidence of new and exciting species. It was only when his ship was attacked and boarded by pirates that his luck would change.
Aboard the ship “Old Roger”, James was introduced to Bartholomew Quigley Smeethington, or Smee, a disheveled boatswain with somewhat grandfatherly sensibilities. Of the original crew of James’s ship, not many survived, most attempted to defend themselves, but were hopelessly out gunned. James survived because he was useful. The Captain of the pirate vessel never showed his face, and all authority seemed to fall to Smee, who allowed James to bring his books and belongings aboard. After a few weeks, Smee became intrigued by Hook’s collection and they spoke of the many strange and fascinating facts gleaned from Hooks scientific texts. When Hook told Smee of Darwins theory, of islands that held species that appeared shaped by their unique surroundings over many years, Smee’s attention was further grabbed, and he soon shared the story of a group of islands the Old Roger had once encountered. An island chain, populated by species of legend, ruled by a tribe of natives who appeared to be ageless. Hook became captivated by these tales and pleaded for its location so he might one day visit it. Smee said that the unique quality of the island was its magnetic influence, and that within 400 miles of its location, a compass would begin to pull towards it. The north star was the guide, choosing the second star to the right, and within one day, the ship would find this enigmatic location.

It soon became apparent that something was very wrong with the ship. The crew were anarchic and paid little attention to any authority figure, and the captain was never seen. Smee divulged that the captain had died of Syphilis a month before and that his fear of the crew killing him and taking the ship had driven him to construct an elaborate plan to find dry land and another ship. To him the Never Isles were as good a destination as any and soon the course was set.

They arrived at the island the next morning, a peculiar crescent land mass, its center a silent volcano. Smaller islands broke the water here and there, yet they dropped anchor within the bay, and rowed to shore. The crew were sent to find provisions, whilst Hook began his explorations. He was soon lost deep in the forests with Smee at his side.

He was not old, yet his face was heavily weathered and scarred from scuffles and fights with crew men. He was old before his time, yet island air and the stillness of the ground he walked upon appeared to refresh him. They made their way to the summit of the volcano, to seek out the source of the magnetic qualities of the island. Within the mouth of the sleeping giant they found a series of huge impact craters. In some were pulverized crystalline shards, thousands of them, black as night and hard as glass. They emitted a strong attracting force and with samples in hand they traveled west, towards a settlement. The village was populated by the Piccanniny, a group of native islanders, who appeared to be descended from native Americans. He concluded that they had traveled to the island by raft or canoe, having visited similar islands where communities of nomadic humans had settled new colonies. The tribe were indeed blessed by incredible youthfulness and after many hours of patience, communicated that the meteorite shards were responsible for this. He began to take samples of blood to examine, the cells displaying a bizarre “armored” quality. He theorized that the rocks emitted a radioactive aura that might hold the key. He soon noticed that he was effected by this, his skin becoming less visibly marked.

Much of the Old roger crew began to raid the villages, which ended in their deaths, the Piccaninny knew their land well, and had fought off many pillagers of their beautiful island. Left with a skeleton crew, the ship was renamed the “Jolly Roger” by Smee, who, along with Hook, constructed a working laboratory on board, with delusions of huge wealth being gained from their “fountain of youth” crystals.

Amongst the islands inhabitants were other species of hominid. Faun like creatures whose fleshy protuberances resembled leaves, were particularly fascinating. They were a sub group of Homo Vespertilius Chiropterus, standing about a foot tall, with the ability to glide using these skin sheaths. Hook found the species to be inquisitive and somewhat annoying, plaguing the crew as they scavenged for food and often stole anything shiny. One particular individual would often follow Hook on his expeditions into the forest, which he named Pan, or Loki, the mischievous spirit. On one such journey, the creature hounded him, leading him to fall helplessly into a lake of crocodiles. His terrified calls were heard only by the hovering sprite whose confusion at his play thing, writhing amongst the bodies of the ancient reptiles seemed almost amusing.
Hooks body sunk to the bottom, yet with one last attempt he tore of his jacket, the crocodile rolling on itself, tearing at the cloth. With maniacal glee Hook swam to the surface, only for another crocodile to take hold of his wrist. With searing pain, Hook tore his hand away, and with his last breath climbed out of the lake. His hand was useless, with every tendon cut, and loosing blood rapidly, he cut away the flesh and cauterized the wound with fire. Fever soon set in, and death was imminent, yet a week passed, and he did not die. Smee ground the meteorite shards into a fine powder, which he called “fairy dust” and applied it to the wound. Soon it healed, and Hook was back on his feet. He fashioned a prosthetic, aptly a hook, and became his namesake. He was inured with a vigor like no other and the ship was soon a factory for the harvesting and storage of the meteorite crystals.

A month ebbed by and Hooks prosthetic caused a great deal of pain. He eventually unbound it from his stump, to find that the flesh had bound to the metal cup that held the hook in place. as he tore away the seemingly gangrenous skin, he found soft, healthy pink flesh beneath, and what appeared to be rudimentary growths that seems almost like fingers. He kept the hook and stump as a scientific curiosity fit for further examination, believing that the fairy dust had caused cellular regrowth and the shed skin was like that of a snake. His hand soon regrew to an almost healthy appendage, yet lacked some dexterity. Despite his new hand and new zeal, he never stopped hunting for the Homunculi, Pan, who had almost sentenced him to death. He eventually caught and killed it, displaying it in his cabin. He also found his coat, and heavily damaged pocket watch, which still ticked, yet a number of crocodile teeth were now embedded in it.

Hook maintained a healthy relationship with the Piccanniny tribe, yet when they planned to set sail back to England, the islanders descended upon the ship en mass, and demanded the entire shipment of crystal back. Out manned ten to one, Hook could do nothing but agree. He sailed back to England with two crates that had been hidden in the ships hold and divulged his tales to the scientific community, who found the many specimens, including a specimen of fairy like creature, whose body was covered in white down like that of a moth, and who appeared decorated with leaves festooned with primitive runes, became something of a laughing stock. “Only humans have the capacity for language and writing!” said eminent scholars. Hook was soon accused of trickery, and he disappeared from public scrutiny. It is believed he returned to the island where he continued his research and lived for a very long time.

Merrylin bought the two crates of the crystalline material and all of Hooks biological specimens at the tail end of Hooks brief public lecture tour on the “riddle of the Never isles”. Merrylin had by this point lived far longer than any human, and so many have suggested that the extra terrestrial crystal that appeared to halt aging, and indeed death on the islands were also responsible for Merrylins long life. Yet Merrylins Longevity started long before the discovery of the Never Isles and no mention of this place exists in his earlier journals. However, examination of the crystal held within this study case, and analysis of the “Henrich Emille” cuboids, shows a degree of similarity. Both emit unique cell altering radiation. Further studies are planned.

Thank you to everyone who attended the exhibition at the Old Operating Theatre, and to the wonderful curators who allowed the event to take place. I am currently collating new pieces, for you to peruse or purchase to continue funding my work here at the Merrylin Cryptid Collection.

Best regards
Alex CF

A newspaper reporting the donation of the London terraced house to the Tunbridge school for boys, in April of 1942. Merrylin is pictured here with the proprietor. He would have been 160 years old. The newspaper reports him to be the “Grandson of Thomas Merrylin senior”. Thomas had no children, and no siblings for this to be a reality.

Status: For sale
Inquiries – alexchronicfatigue@gmail.com

Three preserved human fetuses, presented in an antique display cabinet. The first is an altogether healthy fetus, the second suffers Polymelia, six arms, and the final, suffers a rare infection of the Shope papilloma virus, which causes a series of horn like growths in the forehead. These three are part of a large collection of human specimens, afflicted with various genetic diseases.

Status: For sale
Email: merrylinhouse@gmail.com for purchasing inquiries

“A uniquely disguised flint lock pistol, used by the Holy Order circa 1870″

After black friday, and the menace of the wraith virus was finally put down, the Cleric Abramo did not disband the Holy Order. He chose a strong Lieutenant in the form of Hamish Metcalf, a brash red haired soldier whose own dicings with Wraith and feral blood thieves had left many a scar, both physically and mentally. But one of the most fascinating attributes to Metcalf was his immunity to the Vampyrus, and subsequent wraith viral strains. He had been bitten twice, once as a child, and once during the eradication of a nest of Wraith in Louisiana in 1870. The only effect was the modification of his canines – although the virus was no longer present in him, he carried with him the descending serrated cuspids of a Vampyr. He periodically filed them down, only for them to regrow.

Eventually the infliction was put to good use. The Crasc, a primitivist order of Vampyr, outcast from the city of Thenis, had created something of a mafia in the slums of most big cities in America. They ran mostly guns and alcohol in exchange for bodies – humans to be exact. The rival cartels would happily trade such an easy commodity for items that could fetch a much higher price, and soon cities were picked clean of vagrants, orphans and the forgettable. Abramo knew of this particular problem but had no way of knowing who was organising these operations. As far as he was aware, the Crasc were a loose group of semi organised feral Vampyr, mostly pure breds, but many “turned”. Although turned were despised by the Crasc, they were useful for cannon fodder. They kept the image of the blood thief very much alive, whilst The Crasc moved to secure the planet as a place for Vampyr as the dominant hominid, and not human.

After months of tracking the feral ghouls, Abramo found the Crasc base of operations in a church in Kentucky. A building used as a homeless shelter on the weekends, the church seemed to offer the perfect cover. Further investigation revealed the ring leader, an ancient known as Seirse. Seirse was masquerading as a human priest, and even performed the role of an ordained man. Abramo attended a number of his sermons which were surprisingly authentic, if a little bland. Metcalf was challenged with infiltrating the church as a Crasc. There was no way for the Vampyr to know he wasn’t carrying the Vampyrus strain, many young vampyr were not easily distinguishable from humans, besides the mandible and teeth, which Metcalf carried. It was only after months that the telltale loss of bodily hair, and realignment and distortion of various anatomy would give the game away. Seirse avoided identification with his cassock, and a well kept wig. His distance from his parishioners was also maintained, with various familiars acting as body guards. The front was bizarre, yet it allowed him to occupy a seat of power within the community but also gave him a sense of authority that he obviously craved.

Metcalf began his successful infiltration and carried with him a reliquary for protection in case he was discovered. Within this, a hand made flint lock pistol, disguised as a crucifix. If discovered, he would attach the handle, unlock the hidden barrel, load the powder and shot, and fire. The pistol could carry more than one round at a time, with a modified mechanism within the pistol. The case also carried a stake and extra shot and powder.

Metcalf successfully identified those involved in the smuggling of humans for the Crasc, and managed to stall the shipment of a number of carriages carrying more than 50 humans destined for death at the hands of these separatist vampyr. He used the gun far more than he had thought, continually hiding his guilt simply due to his infallible disguise.

When he was eventually discovered, Seirse had his teeth pulled from his head. He survived the ordeal and although the chief smuggler was never apprehended, the trade was stopped. Despite being gravely wounded, Metcalf was glad of it, his bizarre vestige teeth no longer a tool for espionage.

Status: For Sale
Measurements: 18 inches tall x 38 inches long
Email: alex.cf@hotmail.co.uk

“The mounted skeleton of a young Draco Alatus, preserved at death”

Merrylin made great strides in understanding the anatomical and behavioral traits of the species that he identified. One species, that was on the brink of extinction during his years of research, is the Draco, a winged theropod, related to a subspecies of dinosaur that survived the KT extinction event. There is evidence of more than one subspecies of Draco, yet little physical examples. This very well preserved Draco is a young infant. Adult examples are of course cumbersome and more or less non existent. Within the Merrylin archive we have a number of younger specimens, this being one of the finest.

The basic anatomy is very similar to the dromaeosaur, not unlike Dienonychus or velociraptor. A bird like theropod, the forearm digits elongate into large wings which would support a membrane, like that of Pteranadon. Very little fossil evidence exists of this divergent species, that carried such a unique wing type, not found in other species of true dinosaur. What fossil evidence there is suggests that earlier forms of Draco Alatus had a downy covering, yet it appears that the species evolved to eventually shed these feather-like coats, and in place developed a thick horny epidermal adaptation, which not only provided some degree of insulation, but also the creation of keloid scarring in mating rituals. Draco Alatus are capable of producing a combustible secretion from the mouth. These displays created bizarre and unique markings to attract a mate.

I will have a short film debuting next week, which introduces the Merrylin Collection, and myself. Made by Simon Lewis, I think its a nice little film, and will pave the way for the next stage in the Merrylin collection, and that is to bring his specimens to the world via a more immersive experience..

More news to follow.

Here is an introduction film, made by Simon Lewis of the BBC’s Natural History department, I hope you enjoy it. Many thanks to Simon for his hard work on this project.

merrylin from Simon Lewis on Vimeo.

Status: For sale
For inquiries please email merrylinhouse@gmail.com

“A preserved infant Lycanthrope, presented within a glass dome, surrounded by a unique unfolding diorama case”

Years after Edward Harrell had overcome the affliction of the lupus strain, which left him with deformities in the spine and legs, his research turned to a more altruistic approach, applying the information derived from his cure of the virus to similar ailments, spearheading vaccines that could be used against Polio, amongst other diseases. On various occasions his specimens were used in presentations to raise awareness of these cases, and one such display was a Lycanthrope. We can only ascertain that Harrell did not present these examples as “lycanthropes” -more likely an inflicted individual of the Lupus strain.
Lycans are indeed a species, the symbiotic nature of the pathogen within their blood is transferable to other hominids, as we share a common ancestor. The virus itself could be considered a remnant of this relationship which evolved into a single species, with new born Lycans carrying the virus at a genetic level, which has a perfect equilibrium with the host. Cases of infection in humans are rare due to the low numbers of lycans and the unlikelihood of infection.

This lycanthrope cannot be identified as a new born lycan or an infected human who gave birth to this infant. Regardless it was born Lycan, yet suffered some degree of malformation of the lungs. The specimen is presented in a lovely cabinet which unfolds to show a series of illustrations depicting lycanthrope anatomy. The drawer below this, a large dissection case.

The Merrylin Collection proudly presents the next chapter in the work Thomas Merrylin..

Status: For sale
Email: merrylinhouse@gmail.com

Wraith children, often known as vagabonds, were a horrific development of the aftermath of Black friday, an event that saw the spread of one of the most virulent symbiotic viruses. Homo Gluttiens are the result of two specific pathogens, an immunodeficiency virus and the Vampyrus strain.

The wrath outbreak started in New York city harbor in September of 1869, believed to have arrived on ships carrying slaves for manual labour. The virus was insipid, infection occurred almost instantaneously causing the infected to become feverish and eventually in a state of constant hunger. The virus augmentations were aggressive, drawing vital energy from elsewhere in the body to radically altar the bone structure of the upper and lower mandible. These result in bizarre disfigurements. What is more frightening is that the virus is not choosy about host – human or non human, the virus would infect. Cases of wild wraith dogs, looking more like shambolic zombified demons were rife in the slums of Brooklyn.

Once the virus was brought under control, and the piles of bodies burned, an unseen byproduct rose its head in the following months. children exposed to the virus appeared to develop mutations over much longer periods, and analysis of their blood was found to contain yet another strain of the virus. Their bodies formed perfect equilibrium with the strain, rather like that of Homo Vampyrus – but at great cost. Much like its cousin, the virus is dependent on iron as a catalyst for metabolism. Hordes of these street children were now attacking at night, bringing down individuals and preying upon their flesh. A special task force was set up to deal with the stragglers of the epidemic, but even years later, cases were still appearing. A terrifying aspect were the children themselves. They did not age. Unlike other variants of this pathogen, maturity was never reached. These hideous creatures were doomed to unnaturally long lives in a premature state, mouths of shard like teeth and a craving for flesh that could never be sated.

Contained in this case are the augmented skull of a child infected with the wraith strain. The skull has been cut in two, so that the brain can be exposed. The brain has been preserved, yet it is in a state of decay. Areas of mutations within the brain are highlighted. The front portion of the mandible is also shown, with the hinged parts marked in red. These are held by cartilaginous material, allowing the jaw to expand. It contains the trappings of a reluctant ghoul hunter, blood samples, tools and detailed illustrations of the subject. In the drawer are pieces of an adult jaw bone, showing the distended cuspids and the tooth sheath. The box is a beautiful size, much smaller than Abramo’s other research cases.

A wooden effigy of the Madonna with child, emblazoned with gold leaf and lost in the grounds of the Abbey du Cambron. The abbey was founded in 1148 by Anselme of Trazegnies, a canon from Soignies. Within its walls amongst other holy treasures the statue stood, cherished by the monks that resided over the abbey. It is believed the abbey itself was established by St.Bernard whilst visiting, who in a fevered dream, imagined a host of angels. He took this as a sign that the abbey should stand upon these grounds. The abbey was active until 1797, where it was dissolved, and upon its dissolution, contents were sold off, and a Chateau was built in its stead. Much of its original contents was lost. Yet the Madonna was believed to have survived this scouring and still resided there.

Many have searched for this item for hundreds of years. In the late 1870′s, an amateur archeologist managed to prize a series of items from a crumbling mausoleum not far from the ruins of the Abbey. Amongst disintegrating cloth, a number of prizes. A carefully bound relic – a portion of forearm and hand of an undisclosed saint, the only clue, a reference to Saint Augustine, yet it could indeed be the remnants of Bernard. More likely, it is one of the 44 Abbots who held office there. Beside this a wooden engraving of a haloed saint, portions of pigment and gold leaf still applied. But perhaps the most stunning was the crude statue of the Madonna and child. It was squat and ugly, yet the peering painted eyes of the mother were mesmerizing. Much of the cloth and wood of the vessel were rescued and worked into a box by the archeologist, adding his personal bible to the case, and secreted it away, handing it down through his own family, until sold and authenticated in the early 20th century.