Folk-Lore.
THE SIN-EATER.
THE earliest mention of the curious custom of the Sin-eater, formerly observed in Wales and the Welsh Marches at funerals, is found in The Remaines of Goitilisme and Judaisme, a work of John Aubrey, which remained in manuscript for two hundred years, until it was for the first time issued by the Folk-lore Society ten or twelve years ago. The passages in question run as follows:
Offertories at funeralls.
These are mentioned in the Rubrick of ye ch. of Engl. Com̄on-Prayer-booke: but I never sawe it used, but once at Beaumaris, in Anglesey; but it is used over all the Counties of North-Wales. But before when the corps is brought out of Doores, there is Cake & Cheese, and a new Bowle of Beere, and another of Milke with ye Anno Dni ingraved on it, & ye parties name deceased, wch one accepts of on the other side of ye Corps; & this Custome is used to this day, 1686, in North Wales. [. . . .
Sinne-eaters.
It seems a remainder of this custom wch lately obtained at Amersden, in the county of Oxford, where at the burial of every corps one Cake and one flaggon of Ale just after the interrment were brought to the minister in the Ch. porch. W. K.][1]
- ↑ Pp. 23-4. The passage in brackets is added by Dr. Kennett.
