There were numerous different preventions that were adopted to try to stop the bodysnatchers in their path. Parishes were beyond despair, parishioners fearing they would no longer be safe once they’d left this mortal coil.

Graveyards were targeted either by opportunists or after receiving word that a burial had recently taken place. The stealing of cadavers from graveyards in order to supply the anatomy schools of England and Scotland was more common than one might at first believe. You may even have sped your way past a watch-house in a roadside graveyard without giving it a second thought or have been equally as curious about these strange structures built along the edges of churchyard walls.īodysnatching was a very real thing in Georgian Britain. Travel around England and Scotland and you’ll no doubt have passed some churchyard that’s got a bodysnatching story to tell. Suzie has recently published a book entitled Bodysnatchers: Digging up the untold stories of Britain’s Resurrection Men which makes fascinating, if somewhat macabre reading – did you know for instance that there was a ‘ season‘ for bodysnatching?’ to find out more you’ll have to read her book. We are thrilled to welcome the lovely Suzie Lennox who has spent her time researching the dark tales of Britain’s resurrection men for over ten years, after becoming interested in bodysnatching whilst studying History at University.

Bodysnatchers by Suzie Lennox