Virtual Refectory: Ashes to ashes, football to fouling

What goings-on occurred in medieval cemeteries...?

Apologies for the late post tis week, peeps. It’s been a busy one, what with the new job and all. So here’s a spot of Sunday reading on what sorts of activities occurred in the medieval cemetery. Enjoy!

As cemeteries were legally protected spaces, they therefore became the prime site for markets and so perhaps regarded more as public than consecrated ground in medieval England. At Brenchley in Kent in the year 1230, records note the Sunday market was to be held on the local lord’s own land. While in York, a Sunday market was prohibited in 1322, but an irregular market on Sunday and feast days was held in the churchyard of St Michael le Belfrey in the early 15th century. The attendees and vendors were often at the service of the church authority’s mercy.