The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-30
La Marquise de Fontenoy
Ii. treasure trovo In the United
Kingdom and Ireland Is claimed

a Ii. treasure trovo in the United
N hlhSdom and ireland Is claimed
~ by tho crown, and this ancient
law. which dates from old Ro-
j man times. has been the source of In
Vulnerable lawsuits. which have almost
lhSariaDiy resulted IN favor o; the
crown. The latest instance OF the kind
~ tho dispute between the latter and
| the Duke OF northumberland. with re-
/ gard 10 the ownership OF . number OF
valuable coins. dating from the h.st.
Christian sra, found in the Manor OF
CorbridE;e, on the Scottish border, and
Of which the Earls and Dukes, OF
Northumberland have been lords since
tho days OF King John.
The coins are come 500 In number.
ana are now In the possession of the
coroner OF tho county OF Northuinber-
land. by whom they were claimed, In
| and who IS holding them pending the
decision or the suit now in progress
between the duke and the treasury.
The duke iH quite ready to abandon the
! coins in question 10 the crown. but
mas brought the present suit mainly
Tor tho purpose OF establishing MS
bridge TO all treasure found there in
| the past This. taken in conjunction
with the fact that he has expressed
MS Willingness TO make present 10
| or around the manor in the future In
dicateS that he. we'll as former
Dukes OF Northumberland, have dis
| covered at various times quantities OF
| rich treasure at Corbridge, which ne
! is determined TO retain.
hs tho law stands now. there Is no
doubt whatsoever that tho case will
go against the Duke Of Northumber-
| land, and that no matter now much
| he may be ready 10 sacrifice the recent
! lind of valuable Roman coins 1900 and
| 1880 years OF age. he VIII be IN due
course compelled to surrender the
|
| bears have recovered from the Manor
| of Corbridge.
| 1t is known that tho l.ooo-ye ar-old
Alnwick Castle. which is. with the
the biggest residential castle of an
Client times In Great Britain, is filled
from cellar to garnet with the most
wonderful art treasures. which are
! outside of the ken OF the ordinary art
expert and remain terra incognita 10
strangers. There has always been a
certain amount of mystery as to the
reason which caused the Dukes OF
! northumberland TO refrain from fol-
| lowing the example of otner owners OF
! historic homes in allowing the public
reputable and duly accredited visitors
J the privilege OF Inspecting the treas
ures of Alnwick Castle. Many have
ascribed II to that spirit of exclusive
ness which distinguishes the present
! duke and duchess, as IL did their i'm
I, mediate predecessors In the ownership
! of Alnwick. It would now seem as II
I there were soma truth In another story
| current, to tho effect that IL the duke
| was not willing to permit strangers
! or the public to have access at any
time TO the interior of Alnwick Castle
1t was because he feared that atten-
| ton would be attracted 10 the many
treasures of one kind and another
| Alnwicle, and also elsewhere on the
estates OF the House of Percy in the
J north
| Tho treasury is very arbitrary about
such matters, and there Is no doubt
that inasmuch as the duke has vir-
tually admitted, in connection with the
present lawsuit. that he has In his
| possession much treasure trovo from
Corbrldgc Manor and elsewhere, he
will be forced to disgorge. In fact
he cannot expect any better treatment
than that which fell to the share OF
the Earl of Pembroke who was SC
great n favorite with the lnte King.
In July. 1907, n laborer engaged in
| digging. on some property belonging
to Lord Pembroke in wiltshire, neal
Salisbury. unearthod an earthsnwart
vessel containing several hundred Ro-