Archaeologica.org

https://www.theguardian.com/science/201 ... hopped-off

Grim stuff but interesting. The idea must be that the men were crminals or somehow considered to be a threat tot he local community.

Of course the cutting off of their legs could also be as reference to witchcraft. It is known that some at this time seem to have believed in witchcraft and the ability to send out a litch, or walking corpse.

Birling (After Rome) refers to a particuarly hideous burial. A young girl was buried, respectfully but then an elederly woman was buried on top of her. What makes this a rough find is that the older woman was patently alive when she was entombed and was trying to work her way out of the burial pit. Whereup someone threw a used millstone onb to her and smashed her hip.

It is assumed the older woman had something to do with the death of the younger, but nasty stuff nonetheless - and where was the church?

Probably cheering them on as the church was prone to do.

Possibly but it isn't all bad Birling reports a burial of a young girl of 21. She had wet leprosy but the evidence is that she had been cared for. When she was in her grave her christian veil was drawn across her ravaged face. To do this someone had to climb into the grave and adjust the veil. That was a brave and tender gesture.