In 1951 during underpinning operations at Cuckney Church up to 200 burials were found which antedate the building of the church. They were in 3 or 4 trenches dug N-S and wide enough for the bodies to lay in them with feet to the E. No associated finds, no expert examination. The church was built within an adulterine castle. There is a strong local tradition of a skirmish here in the reign of Stephen - church erected to hallow graves ? (1)
The present incumbent (who has taken up this living since 1951) states that he understands from church workers that the skeletons were re-interred in a communal grave. The underpinning was centred at above grid ref. (2)
See M4415 for church, M4376 for castle.

<1> Thoroton Society, 1951, TTS, pp 26 - 29 (Published document). SNT365.

<2> Colquhoun FD, 1974, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT582.