Crossbones Graveyard London

by Richard Reeve

Title

Crossbones Graveyard London

Artist

Richard Reeve

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Crossbones Graveyard London - Richard Reeve

A striking poster featuring a skull and crossbones over a Union Jack flag decorates a brick wall. The text references Crossbones Graveyard and past Jubilee years.

Cross Bones (or Crossbones) is a disused post-medieval burial ground on Redcross Way in Southwark, South London. The ground is thought to have originally been established at least as early as the 17th century, as a single women’s (prostitutes’) cemetery, although by 1769, it had become a paupers cemetery and remained so until its closure in 1853.

Many of the women buried here were also known locally as "Winchester Geese" because they were licensed by the Bishop of Winchester to work within the Liberty of the Clink, an area outside the jurisdiction of the City of London where brothels, theatres, bull baiting, bear baiting, and other activities not permitted within the city could be found.

It is believed that as many as 15,000 people were buried there before its closure in 1853.

Uploaded

October 24th, 2025

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags