Gone Medieval The Eleanor Crosses
6 snips
Jan 20, 2026 
Alice Loxton, author and historian, shares her journey retracing Eleanor of Castile's 200-mile funeral route. She discusses the impactful love story between Eleanor and King Edward I that inspired the grand Eleanor Crosses built in her honor. The conversation dives into the unique logistics of the funeral procession, the rituals surrounding medieval embalming, and the significance of the crosses as both memorials and pilgrimage sites. Loxton's firsthand experience reveals how walking the route brought medieval realities to life, connecting history with personal reflection.
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Medieval Embalming And Partible Burial
- Medieval embalming involved evisceration and treating the corpse with salt, oils, and spices to slow decay.
- Eleanor's viscera were buried at Lincoln Cathedral as partible burial to secure prayers at multiple sites.
Walking Edward's Route
- Alice Loxton walked the full 200-mile funeral route on the dates corresponding to the original cortege.
- She used the journey to sharpen questions about medieval logistics and daily experience.
Use Walking As Research Method
- Undertake experiential research like walking historical routes to gain practical insight.
- Use lived experience to ask new questions archives alone may not reveal.
