THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

There is no doubt that the self-murderer, or the doer of some atrocious deed of violence, murder, or lust, was buried by some lonely roadside, in a road-crossing, or by the wild woodside, and that the oak, or, oftener, thorn stake was driven through his breast; but not because of any intended scorn, or horror, or abhorrence.  These were the characters who could not “rest in their graves.”  They had to wander, nay, often they were self-constrained to wander about the scenes of their crimes, or the places where their unhallowed carcases were deposited, unless, that is to say, they were prevented; and as they wanted the semblance, the simulacrum, the shadow-substance of their bodies for that purpose – otherwise there could have been no appearance – the body it was which was made secure by pinning it to the bottom of the grave by aid of the driven stake.

Atkinson/Parish