I have seen "felo de se" used on a mid-19th century death certificate, which
was issued after a coroner's inquest, and so perhaps in this case as the law was new
the parish priest chose to use the expression that was perhaps used by the coroner. In
other words he may either of been tentative about how the new law should be recorded?
regardsMegan
From: John Ball via <powys(a)rootsweb.com>
To: Powys(a)rootsweb.com
Sent: Friday, 24 July 2015, 10:06
Subject: Re: [POWYS] Burial of a suicide
Dear Listers,
The term "felo de se" is included in a useful little booklet entitled "A
Latin Glossary for Family and Local Historians", by Janet Morris, published
in 2009 by The Family History Partnership, Bury, Lancs: ISBN
978-1-906280-18-5.
The glossary states, simply, "FELO DE SE - suicide".
I must confess that Mary Zorkoczy's example is the first time I've heard of
this phrase being used in a parish register (or anywhere else for that
matter). The fact that the burial at St Mary's Church, Llanfihangel Cwmdu
took place only one year after the change in the law makes it even more
interesting.
Kind regards,
John
--------------------
John Ball, Brecon, Powys, UK
E-mail: john(a)jlb2011.co.uk
Website:
http://www.jlb2011.co.uk/
Blog:
http://johnofbrecon.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Zorkoczy via
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2015 8:06 PM
To: Powys(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: [POWYS] Burial of a suicide
In the burial register of St Michael's, Cwmdu, Breconshire one entry in
1824 has this additional note:
/"Felo de se. Buried by the churchwardens and constables between 9 and
12 o'clock at night without service in obedience to the coroner's warrant"/
It was written by Rev. Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc). He was recording that
the burial was in accordance with an 1823 change in the law for the
burial of suicides. This permitted them to be buried in their parish
church yard and forbade their burial on the highway with a stake through
the body. The new law did not allow a burial service; the interment had
to be as Rev Thomas Price described.
Has anyone seen any mention of this change in the law in other parish
registers?
Or any use in parish registers of the term /Felo de se/, a medieval term
which seems to have been used as an euphemism?
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