Francis’ Grave
The origin of the name Francis’ Grave is uncertain. In a document of 1781, there is mention of “In Meerden Field, one rudge of land in Francis’Grave Furlong.” Later, in 1815, the Enclosure commissioners refer to Frances’ Grave. It was customary for suicides or murderers to be buried away from churchyards, and often their graves were at parish boundaries. Francis’ grave fits the bill, as it lies at the junction of the parishes of Badsey and Wickhamford.
. But who was Francis or Frances? One possibility is one Thomas Francis of Wickhamford was presented to Wickhamford Manor Court for homicide on 22 October 1639. Another is that the body of a woman discovered by workmen widening the road and laying a culvert at the corner on 19 September 1927, and dated as about 200 – 300 years old was named Frances. Then, on 16 October, the same workmen found another skeleton. This time, the skeleton was identified as a male adult of about 1500 years old.
There may yet be more bodies to discover, but one thing is certain – the true identity of Francis or Frances remains a mystery.