Prostitutes & Paupers Graveyard, London,Cross Bones

Since medieval times Cross Bones Graveyard, Southwark has been used as an unconsecrated graveyard for prostitutes and paupers. The Musuem of London has dug up a 148 skeletons of women and children, and estimate that this is only 1% of those buried there. John Constable has been campaigning to stop this land being built on. He holds monthly meetings on the 23 at Cross Bones, Redcross Way, SE1 to help the dead rest in peace. This short documentary follows a shamanic ritual held here in October 2006.
For further details about Cross Bones Graveyard and the campaign to protect the Cross Bones Graveyard Memorial Gates www:crossbones.org.uk

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Medieval graveyards
• London graveyards
• history of London
• Southwark
• Magical Graveyards
• the dead
• restless spirits
• the Southwark Mysteries
• John Crow
• John Constable
• The Green man
• The Lions Part
• shamanic music
• ritual
• pagan
• rest in peace
• campaign
• Jubilee Line
• skulls
• skeletons

[Sylphqueen1968]

this is a wonderful way to help the spirits, and now is the time to be working with them, Samhain....ALl the best with this:)

[Catseyefilms]

Thank you Sylphequeen , and a happy Samhain to you too xx

[squareye]

There is something quite remarkable in Southwark where the past overlaps with the present and the heart and soul is very strong. I hope very much that Crossbones will be remembered and I have a funny feeling that if we forget then the past will re-surge, unbidden, to remind us...

A good film and thank you

[Catseyefilms]

Hello Squareeye,

Thank you so much for such a lovely comment.

I agree with you Southwark is magical and a place where old London, and centuries old traditions are very much alive.

xxx Sarah

[velmathepelmar]

Love this video! Everyone should see this.

A real experience of being there - so atmospheric

[Catseyefilms]

Aww thank you. xxx Sarah

[thevelvetskyandstars]

I am deeply moved by the story of the cross bones graveyard and the outcast dead. This film honours our ancient dead be we woman or man, for me as a woman of London it is particularly poignant. Thankyou. Please continue with your wonderful films...

[CybexAl]

What a creepy thing this is and in broad daylight too.

[Catseyefilms]

@jollyjackcrow

Hi jollyjackcrow

That would be an honour...xx Sarah Lewis

[Seal00754]

I was a RAC Patrolman around this area and involved working night times. I always had an uneasy feeling around this place. Never knew about this until now.

Certainly makes you think. I never hung around, always felt cold there.

[stevenaball333]

Maybe with a water feature and a statue of a goose in the middle? (Winchester Geese).

[stevenaball333]

The whole place should be made into a beautiful area of rest, tranquility and calm in memory of the deceased. Across the road is a perfect example of what should be done with the grounds in Red Cross Gardens. To dig the place up for research surely would be good for our knowledge of the area but would also show a lack of respect for those that have already suffered more than they ever should have.

[shadowkitty56]

any news yet?

[shadowkitty56]

Thanks! And BTW, here is an idea: if the fools STILL proceed with building, find a bunch of archaeology grad students (and maybe their professor) grab a few shovels in the night, get a few masks and khakis on (for the dear departed infected with plaguey goodness) and get crackin'! If anyone asks why you're risking arrest, just give them photocopies of all the "no's" you received. (The court of public opinion plus blogging the net could be a valuable weapon.)