Havre.
_North Sides of Churchyards_ (Vol. ii., p. 55.).--A portion of many
churchyards is said to have been left unconsecrated, though not to be
used as playground for the youth of the parish, but for the burial of
excommunicated persons. This was {93} 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, Fornicatrix (and then
excommunicated), was buried of Þe people in Þe chaer at the
entrance unto Þe Þeate or stile of Þe churchyard, on the east
thereof."
Nor 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 churchyard now within two hundred yards of me contains about an acre
of ground; the larger 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 persons 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.