ARTEFACTS connected with Cumnor's most famous inhabitant have been sna- tched from a village church.

Pictures of Amy Robsart and her husband, as well as copies of letters she had written, were stolen from St Michael's Church in the village.

Amy, the neglected wife of courtier Robert Dudley, has been veiled in mystery since her tragic death at the foot of a staircase in a mansion, known as old Cumnor Place, in 1560. At the time, Elizabethan society was buzzing with rumours that Dudley had wanted his sickly wife dead in order to marry the Queen - but no link has ever been proved.

Parish vicar the Rev Douglas Durand believes the timing of the theft may well have been down to renewed interest in the pair, which followed a lecture in the village's Old School in January.

He said: "I don't think they were that valuable. It's just sad that anybody could think about doing this. I'm sure we can get copies but its extremely annoying and sad."

Comment: Page 8 There was a huge amount of interest. They weren't originals but it's obvious that whoever took these things was interested in Amy Robsart.

The two pictures looked similar to etchings while both the letters were to tradespeople, including Amy's tailor.

Mr Durand, who has told the police, is appealing for help from local people in tracking down the missing articles.

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