18 MAY 1951, Page 4

It is unlikely that the friends and relations of the

3rd Duke of Exeter, whose remains ..were re-interred in the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula in the Tower last week, took much interest in the proceedings, for the Duke, who fought with distinction at Agincourt, died in 1447. But a certain interest does attach to his posthumous movements none the less. He was originally buried in the ancient church of St. Katherine's by the Tower. When that edifice was pulled down a century and a quarter or more ago, to enable St. Katherine's Dock to be constructed, a new St. Katherine's was built in Regent's Park, and the remains of the Duke and the memorial erected -to him in the old church were transported to the new one. So, at least, it is assumed. put Knight's London, no mean authority, published in 1841. less than twenty years after the events in question, quotes a slightly earlier writer as declaring that when the old church was pulled down the Duke's tomb was opened and the remains dispersed, the head passing into the possession of the dock-surveyor. There seems a little doubt;. therefore, as to what was actually interred at St. Peter ad Vincula last week. St. Katherine's in Regent's Park, considerably damaged by bombing and closed ever since, is being extensively repaired for the use of the Danish community in London—an arrangement appropriately reminis- cent of the period when Queen Alexandra, as Queen Consort, held the patronage of the foundation.