A Lychgate is a roofed gateway at the entrance to a churchyard. In the Middle Ages, before mortuaries and at a time when most people died at home, the dead were placed on a bier (a stand) and taken to the lichgate where they remained, attended against bodysnatchers, until the funeral service, which may have been a day or two later.The lichgate kept the rain off and had seats for the vigil watchers. Bodies at that time were buried just shrouds rather than coffins. At the funeral the priest conducted the first part of the service under the shelter of the lichgate.
I’ve seen loads of lychgates and always assumed they were just decorative, so it’s really interesting to know the history. This one is very cool. Isn’t it amazing to think how old it is!
wow, makes you really stop and think a bit to consider exactly what it would be like to be sitting there with a dead body for some days in the rain ...
