The mystery of the creepy coffin discovered under Notre-Dame cathedral is SOLVED: Scientists finally reveal the identity of the disease-ridden body dubbed ‘The Horseman’

Following the devastating Notre-Dame cathedral fire of 2019, Paris authorities were intrigued when they uncovered two lead-lined coffins 65 feet below the church floor.

One skeleton was quickly identified as a local cleric born in the 17th century, but the experts were left perplexed by the second, simply describing him as an ‘unknown nobleman’.

Now, they announce that it was the body of Joachim du Bellay, a celebrated French Renaissance poet and critic, born in Liré, western France in 1522.

Dubbed ‘the Horseman’ due to his penchant for riding horses, du Bellay died of chronic meningitis due to tuberculosis in 1560, at the age of just 37. 

Following his death, his remains were thought to be buried at Notre-Dame but were never identified – until now. 

The new findings were revealed by University of Toulouse III and France’s National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP). 

Dr Éric Crubézy, professor of anthropology at University of Toulouse III, said he died of ‘chronic tuberculous meningitis in the 16th century’. 

‘[This] age is rarely represented among the burials of important people in the cathedral,’ the professor added. 

Following the Notre-Dame cathedral fire of April 2019, two lead-lined coffins were found under paving stones in a spot where the ‘nave’ and the ‘transept’ meet. 

In a cross-shaped cathedral like Notre-Dame, the nave and the transept are the two straight parts that are at right angles to each other. 

The coffins were first uncovered in March 2022, but the opening of the tombs only occurred eight months later that November. 

Although burials in cathedrals were practiced throughout the medieval and modern periods, a burial in a lead coffin was special – an act ‘reserved for an elite’ – and the men were deemed to be once wealthy. 

One of the coffins was identified as containing Antoine de la Porte – a cleric of the cathedral who died in 1710 at the age of 87 – largely thanks to an identification plate with his name on the coffin.

Born in 1627, Antoine de la Porte provided financial support to the redevelopment of the enclosure of the choir of Notre Dame in fulfillment of the Vow of Louis XIII. 

Although no organic tissue was left on the bones, the remains were still well-preserved – including his hair and beard.

However, the other lead coffin unearthed during the excavation remained ‘anonymous for the moment’ due to the lack of any name plate. 

Examination of the bones revealed he was between 25 and 40 years of at death and spent much of his early life riding horses, giving him the nickname ‘le Cavalier’ (the Horseman).

There are several markings associated with horse-riding on his upper limbs. 

Forensic experts have been able to link such physical evidence from his remains to the life and death of Joachim du Bellay as detailed in the literature. 

Traces of bone tuberculosis and chronic meningitis were found on the skeleton, of which the poet showed symptoms in the last years of his life. 

“He matches all the criteria of the portrait.’ Dr Crubézy said at a news conference last week, as quoted by La Croix and Live Science. 

‘He is an accomplished horseman, suffers from both conditions mentioned in some of his poems, like in ‘The Complaint of the Despairing’.

‘He describes “this storm that blurs [his] mind” and his family belonged to the royal court and the pope’s close entourage.’

However, Christophe Besnier, an INRAP archaeologist and excavation leader, suggested that some doubts remain.

‘Certain elements do not support this hypothesis,’ Besnier said.

‘Isotope analysis of the teeth indicates that the individual lived in the Paris region or Rhône-Alpes until he was 10 years old. 

‘However, we know that Joachim du Bellay grew up in Anjou.’ 

It’s thought that without the cathedral fire five years ago the sarcophagi would be still lying undiscovered. 

On April 15, 2019, millions worldwide watched in horror as firefighters battled through the night to save the cathedral as a fire tore through its roof and toppled the steeple.

The 300-foot-tall Gothic spire collapsed into the embers early in the blaze to pained cries of locals transfixed by the unfolding scene.

One of one of Europe’s most-visited landmarks, the fierce blaze broke out just before 7pm local time in a roof area undergoing renovations.

‘Notre-Dame survived all the wars, all the bombardments. We never thought it could burn. I feel incredibly sad and empty,’ Stephane Seigneurie, a consultant who joined other shocked onlookers in a solemn rendition of ‘Ave Maria’ as they watched the fire from a nearby bridge. 

Firefighters bravely worked to stop the flames and French authorities said the holy building was within ’15 to 30 minutes’ of complete destruction. 

In September 2021, the French government announced the cathedral was finally stable and secure enough to start work to rebuild it. 

Following restoration work largely funded by €840 million (£700 million) from donors, Notre-Dame cathedral is due to reopen December 8 this year.