Q.  In the west of England I have found an opinion to prevail in rural parishes, that the north side of our churchyards was left unconsecrated very commonly, in order that the youth of the village might have the use of it as a playground. And, in one parish, some years ago, I had occasion to interrupt a game of football in a churchyard on the "revel" Sunday, and again on another festival. I also found some reluctance in the people to have their friends buried north of the church.

Is there an ground for believing that our churchyards were ever thus consecrated on the south side to the exclusion of the North side ?

Source: Notes and Queries Vol. 2 (34) June 22 1850 Page 55

A.  A portion of many churchyards is said to have been left unconsecrated, though not to be used a playground for the youth of the parish, but for the burial of excommunicated persons. This was not, however, always on the north side of the church, as is evident from the following extract from the Register of Hart, Durham:

"Dec 17, 1596, Ellen Thompson, Foricatrix (and then excommunicated), was buried of ye people in ye chaer at the entrance unto ye yeate or stile of ye churchyard, on the east thereof."

Not is the north side of the church always the less favourite part for burial. I could name many instances where this is the only part used.

The church yard now within two hundred yards of me contains about an acre of ground; the large portion of which lies to the south of the church, but has been very little used for sepulture till of late years, though the churchyard is very ancient. Even now the poor have an objection to bury their friends there. I believe the prejudice is always in favour of the part next the town or village ; that on the other side of the church being generally called "the backside".

I find various notices of excommunicated person being very strangely buried, and in extraordinary places, but I have not as yet met with any act or injunction on the subject. If any of your readers can supply such a document, it would be extremely interesting and useful. W.H.K. D.B.

Notes and Queries Vol. 2 (36) Jul 6 1850 Page 93

In an appendix to our registers I find the following entry, where I conceive the "backside" means the north side. Though now the whole of our churchyard is so full that we have much difficulty in finding any new ground, what we do find, however, is on the north side.

"1750, Oct 23 One Mary Davies of Pentrobin, single woman, though excommunicated with the Greater Excommunication, was on this day, within night, on account of some particular circumstances alleged by neighbours of credit in her favour (as to her resolving to come and reconcile herself, and do penance if she recovered), indulged by being interred on the "backside" the church, but no service or tolling allwed."

From this I conclude that here at least there was no part of the churchyard left unconsecrated for the burial of persons excommunicate, as one of your correspondents suggests; or burial in such place would have been no indulgence, as evidently it was regarded in this case. It would be interesting to ascertain from accredited instances how late this power of excommunication has been exercised and thereby how long it has really been in abeyance. I expect the period would not be found so great as is generally imagines. WALDEGRAVE BREWSTER

Notes and Queries Vol. 3 (68) Feb 15 1851 Page 125

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