The Corpse Roads of Cumbria

Book excerpt: This is the black and white version. There is also a full colour version on Amazon. Criss-crossing the Cumbrian landscape are many trods, paths, lonnings and other ancient trackways. Included among these are several corpse roads. The enigmatic name hints at their curious origins. These paths were used until the 18th Century to transport the dead from the remote villages to the 'mother' church for burial. Eventually villagers petitioned for their own churches and burial rights but the corpse roads remained. Alan Cleaver and Lesley Park have researched these ancient paths and the stories surrounding them. The book also explores Cumbrian funeral customs and superstitions.