Churchyards, Epitaphs

I beg to submit the following observations in answer to the Queries under this head. Fairs, and also markets, were held in churchyards until put a stop to in 1285 by an enactment in the 13 Edw. I. c. 6:— "E communde le rey e defend qe feire ne marche ne seient tenuz en cimeter pur honur de seint eglise." Previous to the passing of this act, the king had forbidden the keeping of Northampton fair in the church or churchyard of All Saints in that town; and Bishop Grostête, following the monarch's example, had sent instructions through the whole diocese of Lincoln, prohibiting fairs to be kept in…