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Crossbones Graveyard: 15,000 Different Stories

Crossbones Graveyard is an ideal place for people who love history, especially during the Middle Ages and the Age of Discovery.

Hundreds of years ago, the Bankside was a very popular site for the locals from all parts of London including the people that lived within the City walls. The Bishop of Winchester ruled as a feudal lord during the 12th to 17th century. - He had authority and power leading to societal changes outside the City walls. It was similar to the USA - where gambling is illegal in many states, except places that have special rights such as 'Indian Reservations' and the Las Vegas Strip; the Bankside had its own set of rules. It was was the 'Las Vegas Strip' for 15th century London and multiple illegal activities/businesses were licensed by the Bishop. Taverns were allowed, theatres and even brothels; all regulated by the Bishop. The area was known to have prostitutes - known as the Winchester Geese - almost all of them were poor, which lead to a lot of them dying at a young age. They were only allowed to be buried in a specific part of land named 'Single Woman's Churchyard' which is now known as Crossbones Graveyard, where it was said 15,000 women were buried.

During the 1990s Jubilee line extension, the Crossbones Graveyard was discovered, in memory of the people buried there. he Crossbones Garden of Remembrance opened in the year 2015 and thousands of visitors have visited it The beautiful Goose Wing entrance designed by Arthur de Mowbrayrepresents the spirit that protects the outcast children in Constable's writing. Visitors walking towards the garden will see a beautiful vigil, where flowers, mementoes and ribbons are placed to honour those who are buried here. The Infinity Beds are pieces of rubble within the Garden are positioned as an infinity symbol, there is also the Pyramid, where one side is decorated with oyster shells, this was because oysters used to be the food for the poor as they were cheap and untaxed.

With a lot more to see, Crossbones Graveyard is a place that deserves a spot in everyone's trip planner.