by Charles Moorhen

Created on: August 05, 2008

Exploring the English Village Churchyard.

The English village churchyard as we know it today bears little resemblance to the churchyards of the 16th and 17th centuries. Around that time, on the south-side, fairs and festivals were held, holy or holiday' processions took place, plays and colourful pageants were acted out, games were played and gambling was rife; even alcohol was brewed and consumed by both priest and the congregation.

Known as Church Ales', the sale of this strong, home-brewed beer, helped to offset the maintenance and repair costs of the church fabric itself, and at one time many had brew-houses attached to the church itself!

In total contrast, the north-side of the church was at the time un-consecrated ground. It was widely believed, and reinforced by the clergy, that because the sun never shone thereby making it damp and dismal and cast in perpetual shadow, it was inhabited by the devil himself. For this reason it was used solely for the burial of suicides and un-baptised children therefore being damned for eternity. Those who were executed for committing murder were cast out completely and often buried at a local crossroads at midnight.

Entry to the churchyard itself is often accomplished, though not in every instance, by passing through a substantial wooden archway structure known as a lych or lich gate, the name originates from the old English word for corpse, which gives some clue as to its purpose. Although these structures may appear to be quite ancient, the majority are in fact only two or three centuries old; though there are a few fine examples that have survived since medieval times, such as those at Anstey in Hertfordshire and Boughton Monchelsea in Kent.

On the day of a funeral the body, often not placed in a coffin but wrapped merely in a shroud, would have been carried shoulder-high on a wooden board as far as the lych-gate, whereupon the cortege would rest while waiting for the priest.
Arriving at the lych-gate from the church, the priest would bring with him the parish bier which looked similar to a wooden, four-wheeled hand cart. The body was placed upon the bier and wheeled into the church whereupon the funeral service began. Following the church service the body was wheeled outside to the graveside where the service was completed.

One facet of the churchyard that has remained virtually unchanged throughout the centuries is the presence of the evergreen yew tree - a symbol of everlasting life. But, strangely, the actual reason

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