WikiWirral is where great friendships are made.
Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics76,373
Posts1,033,356
Members14,590
Most Online16,551
Feb 2nd, 2024
Who's Online Now
8 members (1 invisible), 11,035 guests, and 398 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters
sunnyside 45,164
MattLFC 22,315
Mark 21,269
granny 17,791
_Ste_ 16,345
Newest Members
Pasttraveller, LiamW1897, EricB, H2OH2O, Jasontodd
14,590 Registered Users
New General Forums
Hi to everyone
by PaulRobson - 15th Apr 2024 1:18pm
Last person to post wins...
by GaryB - 9th Oct 2007 9:15pm
New Wirral History
Grange Road Co-Op
by Erainn - 6th May 2024 3:08pm
ST Hugh Birkenhead and Maris Stella NB
by terrier - 20th Apr 2023 7:33pm
Possible crop marks in Landican?
by tomstevens - 21st Apr 2010 4:53pm
233 Caledonia Inn 68 Market Street
by derekdwc - 6th Jan 2009 12:32am
Top Posters(30 Days)
lincle 4
granny 3
Topic Replies
Paddle Steamer Waverley
by gregory66 - 7th May 2024 10:42pm
Grange Road Co-Op
by bert1 - 6th May 2024 5:18pm
233 Caledonia Inn 68 Market Street
by diggingdeeper - 5th May 2024 6:13pm
ST Hugh Birkenhead and Maris Stella NB
by gregory66 - 5th May 2024 5:57am
garage wanted
by diggingdeeper - 4th May 2024 2:01pm
Looking for an old engine
by diggingdeeper - 3rd May 2024 2:36pm
Restaurant/pub with outdoor seating - Bromborough
by capitulinagarage - 3rd May 2024 12:55pm
What song are you listening to?
by GaryFromWirral - 3rd May 2024 5:36am
May
M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
Top Likes Received (30 Days)
casper 1
Top Likes Received
bert1 14
Mark 4
casper 4
Gibbo 3
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#944646 30th Apr 2015 9:16am
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
Christo Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
I have a very vague memory, growing up in Eastham, of being on a school outing to St Mary's Church, Eastham Village, mainly to do brass rubbings, etc. I was probably about 5 or 6 years old at the time.

I seem to remember us looking in the graveyard and being told that one of the graves was that of a pirate/smuggler - I seem to recall a 'Skull and Crossbones' being on the grave.

Does anybody else have any recollection of this? Or am I dreaming/imagining things again?

Google Ads
Christo #944665 30th Apr 2015 12:03pm
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 14,354
Likes: 20
Wiki Master
Offline
Wiki Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 14,354
Likes: 20
I've heard something about this before, I'll have a look next time I'm passing.

Entirely by coincidence - the REAL Captain Jack Sparrow's grave is in Eastham - Massachusetts.


We don't do charity in Germany, we pay taxes. Charity is a failure of governments' responsibilities - Henning Wehn

https://ddue.uk
Christo #944686 30th Apr 2015 2:45pm
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 3
Forum Master
Online Content
Forum Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 3
Skull and crossbones on graves is actually more common than you'd realise and not necessarily pirate related.

http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/skull-cross-bone-grave-stones-the-history-explanation

Quote
Carved symbols were more important than names in the 17th and early 18th century headstones. The skull, crossbones and hourglass were a reminder of the mortality of man, whereas an angel blowing a trumpet, or a winged head promised ascension to heaven, at least for the chosen elect.

Symbols of a craft might be carved - a mason's trowel, a smith's hammer, a gardener's pruning hook, and sometimes but not always initials and a date. To the North side of every church was an area devoid of stones, reserved for the poor, the outcast and strangers. Even from the grave the family of means could assert their separateness from the anonymous mass.


Cartmel Priory floor is littered with them:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Locati...Sands_Lake_District_Cumbria_England.html

Christo #944690 30th Apr 2015 3:08pm
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 17,791
Likes: 3
Wiki Master
Offline
Wiki Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 17,791
Likes: 3
There is one at St. Michael's Church, Shotwick . The only reference I can find to it is on this church newsletter, near the bottom.

http://www.shotwick.org.uk/newsletters/2013_May.pdf


Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.
~Chief Seattle
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
Christo Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
Thanks DD, at least for reassuring me that I haven't imagined it! smile

granny #944736 30th Apr 2015 9:08pm
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
Christo Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 113
#Gibbo, so it may not have related to a Pirate/Smuggler in any event - possibly just a tall tale to impress little kids!

#Granny - I'm doubting myself a little here now and wondering if it's Shotwick I'm thinking of! LOL! (I recall having visited there as well, you see.)

Christo #944743 30th Apr 2015 10:11pm
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 14,354
Likes: 20
Wiki Master
Offline
Wiki Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 14,354
Likes: 20
Yes, crucifixes used to commonly have a skull and crossbones at the bottom of them as it was a religious symbol until the church decided that the association with Jolly Roger wasn't so appropriate.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=crucifix+skull+crossbones&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X


We don't do charity in Germany, we pay taxes. Charity is a failure of governments' responsibilities - Henning Wehn

https://ddue.uk

Moderated by  Mod 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Random Wirral Images

Click to View Topic.
Newest Topics
Grange Road Co-Op
by Erainn - 6th May 2024 3:08pm
garage wanted
by robin47 - 3rd May 2024 5:53pm
Plastic sheds
by muzzy2 - 2nd May 2024 2:41pm
turkish sofa
by Jasontodd - 29th Apr 2024 8:24pm
For Sale & Free
Member Spotlight
TheComputerLab
TheComputerLab
Wallasey
Posts: 1,317
Joined: May 2011
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
New Wirral Info
Help Needed for Virginia Creeper Removal
by Rinchen - 28th Apr 2024 2:08pm
Wanted Gardener
by dodie - 24th Apr 2024 1:09pm
Plymyard House
by Granada - 23rd Apr 2024 2:35pm
recommendation, please
by muzzy2 - 16th Apr 2024 7:39pm
News : New Topics
turkish sofa
by Jasontodd - 29th Apr 2024 8:24pm
italian furniture
by Jasontodd - 29th Apr 2024 7:07pm
leather sofa set
by Jasontodd - 29th Apr 2024 4:47pm
West Kirby flood defences
by Excoriator - 10th Apr 2024 10:45pm
Sunak and Reality
by diggingdeeper - 4th Jan 2023 12:56am
New Enthusiast Forums
garage wanted
by robin47 - 3rd May 2024 5:53pm
Plastic sheds
by muzzy2 - 2nd May 2024 2:41pm
Looking for an old engine
by TheComputerLab - 27th Apr 2024 3:11pm
Pigeon breeder
by lincle - 22nd Apr 2024 8:17am
Car paint jobs
by PaulRobson - 15th Apr 2024 9:54pm
Popular Topics(Views)
5,072,950 WIKI WALK CHAT
4,020,245 Spotted!
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5