John Lupton & Elizabeth Lambert

John Lupton and Elizabeth Lambert, cousins, were forbidden by law to marry.  Their love was so great for each other, they lived the Common-Law Marriage.  When he died, he wasn't allowed to be carried through the gate, as was proper, to be buried in the Kirk, (church).  His remains had to be hoisted over the wall, like a common criminal.

Elizabeth decided to pay penance to give her children a good name.  By law, it had to be hers, however.  It would be worth it to be treated humanly in life and at her burial to be carried proudly through the gate into the churchyard. She had lived proudly, so would she die.

Her penance was to stand, wrapped in linen, in front of the church for all to see, each day for a year, to pay her "debt to society", for the great love and respect she and her husband had felt for the other.

Mary Lambert Taggart, April 4, 1972
5/7/05: I received this story from Marjorie Cannegieter.  Does anyone know anything further?  What was the source of this information?  Email me with more info

The gates of the All Saints Church in Kirk Deighton, England.  The church that was attended by the Lupton's and Lambert's.