Just read that article. It throws interesting light on medieval behaviour - which we already know was infused with religious superstition and fear. Would have been around the same time as the Cathars (albeit southern France) and seems to echo the lengths the living would go to in order to obliterate any perceived satanic connections (including witchcraft probably).

It is a quiet place now, you walk through the fields to the settlement, only the ruined church and a restored farm house survive, rather beautiful in the setting of trees and the beck. I don't find it surprising at all the news, given the entombed cats in walls and various witchy things found in medieval times. And of course the 'monsters' we find sculptured on churches, there is a strong A/S presence in this part of North Yorkshire, plus of course Northern....

"Plus of course Northern ..." what? Very cryptic Moss, but no idea what you are referring to. Do finish the sentence.... please.

I was going to say Viking or maybe Norse, but decided it was too emotive a word, a bit like 'zombie' which surely is a modern word. When you actually look at the wall paintings on churches and engraved stones there are more lurid myths playing around at the back of the minds of medieval people. This area also has Wetwang of course, East Yorkshire 'Chariot Burial'. Another one with the remains of two ponies has also been found at Pocklington I think recently.

"...'zombie' which surely is a modern word."

Yes, fairly modern. "Early 19th century: of West African origin; compare with Kikongo zumbi ‘fetish’." (OED).

It's also, "A cocktail consisting of several kinds of rum, liqueur, and fruit juice." The word is also used to describe, "A computer controlled by another person without the owner's knowledge and used for sending spam or other illegal or illicit activities." (OED).