At CrossBones Graveyard, the unconsecrated mass burial ground for sex workers, the poor, and those who took their own lives is now marked by a beautiful garden and lovingly tended to by caretakers who see it as a sacred space. There are also clergy who do regular services of remembrance, regret, and reconciliation to apologize for the wrongs of the church and to honor the dead. There are no headstones here but there are flowers and bees and healing herbs and pilgrims who come from all over to pay their respects to the outcast dead of London.
I’m amazed at how many people this post has touched. This is my most reblogged entry. I hope more people will visit and donate to CrossBones, especially since the land is being leased. At some point it could be paved over if it’s not kept protected.
CrossBones is beautiful, an absolute must visit. The place has such a calming, peaceful atmosphere even in bustling Southwark. Its a beautiful reminder of Londoners past, and the ones whose lives were rarely recorded or spoken about due to their trades or ends. Many of the burials here were children and paupers.
It is mentioned in records in the late 16th century, but it is thought that it likely dates to earlier. Sex workers were forbidden to operate within the City walls, but operated in Bankside under licence from the Bishop of Winchester (who technically owned the land). The ‘stews’ aka pleausre houses were licencsed by the Bishop in 1161, and signed by Thomas Becket (yes, that one from Canterbury, he was Lord Chancellor). These women were known as ‘Winchester Geese’ and had a degree of protection from their bishop.
Part of it was excavated in the 1990s by the Museum of London ahead of the Jubilee Line extension for a new powerbsub-station. They removed 148 skeletons from a small area, which they estimate is less than 1% of those buried at the site. The site is not large, and the general estimate of burials is 15,000. It is thought up to 60% of these may have been children.
Its a short walk from Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe, and my favourite historic London pub, The George Inn. If you’re ever in town, swing by. Check opening times and read more about this amazing place here .
