THE OLD - Old Wirral.com

THE OLD CHURCHYARDS OF WIRRAL
are often spoken of in history as Palm
"
crosses. It was at a churchyard cross
that the out-door procession of palms,
having wended its way thither, would
always halt ; and the cross itself being
wreathed and decked with flowers and
branches, the Blessed Sacrament, so
solenmly borne in procession, was temporarily
deposited before it upon some
suitable throne, while the second station
was being made. This done the procession
reformed and proceeded to the
principal door for the third station, before
passing again within the church."
A curious post-Reformation use for
churchyard crosses is quoted by Aymer
Vallance in " Old Crosses and Lychgates,"
" In ancient times when it was a
necessity to exterminate certain animals,
as foxes, wolves, etc., a reward was given
to those who captured these animals, and
it was usual to attach their heads to the
cross in the churchyard for the purpose
of valuing them.
remained on the
Generally the heads
cross for three church
services, and after that the reward was
given.
For a wolf's head the same sum
was awarded as was given for the capture
of the greatest robber ; for (dog) foxes
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