Collection
Brief description
Mummified cat remains. The cat was found buried in the walls of the Waltham Abbey Church. Unfortunately, not much is known about the cat itself, but it is believed that it may have been placed in the walls for good luck. An alternative explanation is that it could have been placed there as a way of warding off witches (who were believed to be able to walk through walls) and their familiars, who might creep around on errands intending to cause harm. Some cats that were particularly good at catching vermin during their lifetimes were also buried in houses to continue protecting them after their death. It is rare to find cats buried in churches. They are more commonly found in domestic settings, such as old houses and farm buildings, windmills, watermills and castles or manor houses.
Object number
EPPMS.1993.853.1
Object name
Mummified cat
Material
