Historic Churches 2020

BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 27 TH ANNUAL EDITION 33 6 Deangate York YO1 7JB Tel: 01904 557228 Email: info@yorkglazierstrust.org www.yorkglazierstrust.org Conservation of stained glass and historic glazing of all periods Expert consultancy Condition surveys, conservation concepts, grant applications Environmental protective glazing External protection for all types of historic building Design and fabrication of new windows THE YORK GL AZ I E R S TRU S T Over 50 Years of Excellence in Stained Glass Craft and Conservation The ‘Bone-House’ at Ripon Cathedral in 1838, as illustrated in The Tourist’s Guide: being the concise history and description of Ripon (1838, 2nd ed, Anon) floors and in numerous churchyards. Repairs and restorations unearthed many grave markers and stone coffins which may still lack a ‘home’. Exeter Cathedral relocated some medieval grave slabs to the refectory as freestanding sculpture. Chester Cathedral installed loose grave markers and a stone sarcophagus in their cloisters (newly glazed in the 1920s) and inserted some into cloister walls. However, some pieces may be wedged behind tombs or pillars, propping open doors or filling up storerooms. How unearthed burial markers will be managed should also be considered before potential burials are disturbed. Managing historic church burials and monuments is complex and anticipating what may or may not be found during development work is often guesswork. However, a new research and engagement programme called ‘The Human Remains’ aims to reduce the confusion. By working with churches to identify local, regional, and national patterns and histories of burial disturbance in England, Scotland and Wales, it can inform planning and maintenance strategies across all historic sites with religious burials, including cathedrals, churches, castles, stately homes, converted churches and ruined religious houses. Launched in November 2019 and funded by the UKRI Future Leader’s Fellowship scheme for seven years, it demonstrates substantial government investment in church burial environments. By learning from these intricate histories of burial and disturbance, we may offer those buried in our churches a more stable future. DR RUTH NUGENT (ruth.nugent@ liverpool.ac.uk) is based at the University of Liverpool and leads ‘The Human Remains’ programme. She would be delighted to hear from churches, archaeologists, conservators, developers, librarians and archivists, professional exhumation services, academics, students and anyone else interested in collaborating or advising the project.