Charles Badham
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 70
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt: ... east gate, as well as in the neighbourhood of the great north door, yew trees, young"as yet, occupy their accustomed places as of old. Nothing, however, which has been effected, can atone for the existence of a public pathway, obtained by trespass, and retained by the same unrighteous tenure;t which, apart from the objections to which we have referred, does violence to the feelings of survivors, is constantly the cause of much profanation, It was customary, in early times, to plant a yew tree near the church porch and churchyard gate; its boughs being made use of to ornament the interior of the church, at the festivals of Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide. In the preamble to the last statute of Edward I., entitled, Ne rector arbores in ceemeterit prosternat, it is stated that trees were originally placed in churchyards to protect the church from the wind. Low as (village) churches were then built, the yew, from its thick foliage, would answer this purpose better than any other. Hence, probably, in some instances, arose the cultivation of it in such situations. The branches of the yew were, in some parts of England, also put to other uses. When deceased persons had been unhappy in their loves, small branches of yew and cypress were, at their request, thrown upon their graves. Yet strew Upon my dismal grave Such offerings as you have--Forsaken cypresse and sad yewe; For kinder flowers can take no birth Or growth from such unhappy earth.--Thomas Stanley, 1651. The deadly property of the yew to cattle is well known; and whether or not that was good reason for planting it in churchyards, its presence there is at least a better one for the expulsion of the grazier's stock, too often found in them. "The yew tree I imagine," says an old...