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Over the years I've come across some strange burial register entries in England. Here's a selection:

"1608. Anne Brasse buryed at midnyght 26 June"

"1618. Wm pillye wif was bur the 7 Nov at nyght butt wher I can not tell"

"1639. Frances George buried the 11th September at night but by whome it is unknone"

These entries, taken from the parish register of Stokesley, North Yorkshire, indicate that the corpse buried was probably a Roman Catholic and, as such, was not entitled to be buried in the churchyard. The burial service would have been conducted by the Roman Catholic priest by stealth at night.

"1573. Tho. Maule fd hunge on a tree by ye wayeside after a druncken fitte"

"April 3. Crowners Queste in churche porche April 5. Same nighte at midd nighte burried at ye nighest crosse roades wi a stake yn him, manie peopple frome Manesfeilde"

This entry from the parish register of Pleasley, Derbyshire, shows the treatment given to suicides. They were not allowed to be buried in the churchyard. An inquest was held on the death in the church porch The use of the stake (reminiscent of vampires) and crossroads was to prevent the corpse from being taken over by an evil spirit, since it could not be buried on hallowed ground.

"1659. Aug. 30. Humphrey Dakin, buried about 2 of the clock in the night, fearing an arrest"

This one, from Alstonfield, Staffordhire parish register, records this unusual hour of burial since it was feared that the creditors of Dakin would seize his corpse and prevent his burial until their debts had been paid. There was no legal basis for this process but the practice was common.

"August 1-1680. Anne Harrison of Elwick in the parish of Hart was buried in the parish churchyard of Hart"

"August ye 8th 1680 Mary Harrison and Elizabeth Harrison of Elwick did duly make before ye worshipfull John Huthorpe Mayor of Hartlepool that the corpse of Ann Harison was at ye time of burial neither wound nor wrapt in any other material but in sheepes wool only According to a late Act of parliament"

This entry from Hart in the county of Durham reflects the 1678 an act passed making it compulsory for all corpses to be buried in a shroud made of wool only. This was to encourage the wool trade. An affidavit was to be made and recorded that this had been carried out. This was not a popular law since the poor could ill afford the shroud.

Some corpses were buried wrapped in hay or sweet flowers which was felt an acceptable way for the poor to get around the act.

Coffins incidentally were not used for burials until after 1797 by any other than the rich. The corpse would be transported to the graveside in a parish coffin and removed from it at the grave.