The "Skeleton" in Norwich Cathedral.

The most interesting burial in Norwich.

May 18, 2025

Alright?

Today’s newsletter is a brief one because I’m going on a Norfolk Broads boat trip this afternoon. One day, I’ll do a newsletter about what the Norfolk Broads actually is (are?) and why David Bowie felt compelled to mention it (them?) in ‘Life on Mars?’…

Today, you’re getting a short email about a skeleton. Not just any skeleton, mind. The skeleton. You’ll find it in Norwich’s Cathedral - the old, tall one.

Warning: there’s a Secret Section in this email. You’ll see details below about how to access it if you can’t already.

Thomas Gooding.

Google “Thomas Gooding” and you’ll find a bass player, a Companies House page and a dentist in Leeds.

But amongst the results, you’ll also find this guy:

This grave is now referred to as “The Skeleton”.

Thomas Gooding - the Thomas Gooding featured here at least - was a mason at Norwich Cathedral who died in the year 1600.

When he died, he paid top dollar to be buried upright in the Cathedral, which he thought would give him a valuable head start in a race to the heavens, should such a race ever occur. Hey, if you’re not the fastest or the strongest, be the smartest.

The inscription.

Whilst the picture might not be his best angle - or a particularly accurate representation of what a skeleton actually looks like - the inscription on Thomas’ grave is the real show-stealer.

Here’s what it says in modern Norfolk tongue:

All you that do this pass by
Remember death for you must die
As you are now even so was I
And as I am so shall you be
Thomas Gooding here do stay
Waiting for God's judgement day

And here it is in text speak:

All u that do this pass by
Remember death 4 u must die
As u r now, even so was I
And as I am, so u shall b
Thomas Gooding here does stay
Waitin 4 God's judgement day

Here’s a full body shot:

The Secret Section

Welcome to the Secret Section. It’s nice in here, right? Thanks again for telling people about this newsletter.

Anyway, one of the most notable people to be buried in Norwich Cathedral is, of course, Edith Cavell. Technically, Edith Cavell was reinterred - she had originally been buried in Belgium after her execution by firing squad.

The national fame of Edith Cavell was such that she was originally going to be buried at Westminster Abbey, but her family requested that she be buried in Norwich instead.

Through researching this Secret Section, I stumbled across something I didn’t know existed: actual footage of the burial ceremony, which took place in Norwich this week 106 years ago (15th May 1919).

This rare and remarkable footage gives you some insight into the scale of Edith Cavell’s burial, and the reverence in which she was rightfully held.

If you’re reading this (and I’ve got the tech right), it means you haven’t yet secured two referrals using your unique sharing link. Remember, as soon as two people use your link to sign-up to Secret Norwich, you’ll get access to the Secret Section. This one talks a little bit about someone else who was buried at the Cathedral.

Bonus fact: Did you know that Norwich Cathedral is the fourth-tallest in the country? Perhaps Thomas should’ve been buried at the top of the spire instead.

Right, I’ll be back next Sunday. Remember, if you have any secrets, just reply directly to this email. I send a £20 Jarrolds voucher to anyone who sends me a secret I end up using.

See you next Sunday,

Secret Norwich.