EXCAVATIONS ON THE SITE OP LAUNCESTON PRIORY. 95 



th.e feet towards the east. No coffins were used. This was 

 evident in all instances from the fact that the shoulder blades of 

 the skeletons were quite close to the stones, leaving no room for 

 intervening wood. The head stones were chiefly rough blocks 

 of freestone, with places hollowed out to receive the skulls. 

 Over the graves, three or four flat stones were laid, and then 

 they were covered with earth. One or two of the skeletons were 

 perfect, the teeth remaining in the jaws. Some members of the 

 British Archaeological Association state the above is the most 

 primitive known manner of burying the dead, that the custom 

 was derived from Pagan times, and that it was subsequently 

 adopted by the Christians. All the human bones were reverently 

 collected and, by the kindness of Mr. Oowlard, buried in St. 

 Thomas' Churchyard. 



Whilst William Hopkyn was Prior [1483 to 1507] the 

 duties and rights of the worshippers in the adjacent Parish 

 Church of St. Thomas were defined by Hugh Oldham, Bishop of 

 Exeter, who was asked to settle disputes, which had arisen 

 between the Prior and the neighbouring laymen. Amongst 

 other things the worshippers at St. Thomas Church were to offer 

 yearly a wax candle weighing one pound at the High Altar of 

 the Priory Church, and give two. shillings yearly to the Priest 

 whom the Prior appointed to officiate in St. Thomas Church, and 

 and it was also agreed that a Clerk should sleep in a certain 

 chamber of the tower of the Convent Church, so that such Clerk 

 might arouse the Curate of St. Thomas when it was necessary 

 for him to rise to administer the sacraments. This Tower was 

 probably at the western end of the nave ; its position can easily 

 be discerned by visiting the site and noting the outline of the 

 present Churchyard hedge, which is over the site of the northern 

 wall of the Priory Church. 



Before I conclude, I should like to say a few words on the 

 immediate precincts of the Priory. It was the rule to build 

 boundary walls around the gardens, &c., which were attached to 

 Monasteries. Traces of such boundary walls around Launceston 

 Priory can still be seen. One started from the north-eastern 

 corner of the Presbytery, where I found foundations, and a door- 

 way leading to the Sextonshay, from that point it probably ran 



