Douglas Alexander Hamilton 10th Duke of Hamilton - (1767 - 1852)

Ah, the follies of the aristocracy again ………..

Douglas Alexander Hamilton believed himself to be the true heir to the Scottish throne. The great British public of the time believed him to be the most arrogant man in existence.

In recognition of his own importance, the Duke commissioned an imposing mausoleum for his final resting-place. It was his intention to build "the eighth wonder of world" as a fitting tribute to his own status.

The final flourish was his coffin. This was the sarcophagus of an Egyptian princess, which had been purchased by the Duke for £11,000, an absolute bloody fortune at the time.

Unfortunately, this is where ego and sanity part company.

When the old boy kicked the bucket, it became apparent that there was a considerable difference in height between the good Duke and the unfortunate princess who was to give up her coffin for him.

The only way that they could stuff the old bugger into the available space was to cut his legs off at the knees. And so they did!

The final irony however occurred later.

In 1927, during a re-examination of the coffin of the "Egyptian Princess, it was discovered that it had in fact been constructed for use by an Egyptian court jester.

How apt.