Oliver Cromwell's death mask up for grabs
A mask of Oliver Cromwell's dead face could be one of the star exhibits of a new museum planned for Northamptonshire.
The death mask, believed to have been made shortly after Cromwell died in 1658, is due to be sold at auction next week.
Now a history group wants to see the plaster artefact brought to Northamptonshire to feature in a planned museum commemorating the history of the Battle of Naseby.
Historian and Naseby specialist Martin Marix Evans said: "It would be a wonderful addition to the museum and give it a real focal point. I would absolutely love to have it."
Mr Marix Evans, who has written books on the Battle of Naseby, is part of a group raising money to build a museum at the battle site.
The plans were first revealed in 2006 and a design for the building has now been put together. A planning application is expected later in the year.
One of the project's long-time supporters, Northamptonshire County Council member, Councillor Andre Gonzalez de Savage (Con, East Hunsbury), said: "I'm sure the county council will be able to have a serious look at bringing it here. After all, if we don't get it now, something like this might not come back on the market for a very long time."
The mask will be sold at an auction in Sussex next week, where it is estimated to go for about 1,000.
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