Where were dissidents buried? Many graveyards wouldn’t take non-conformists’ bodies. At Bunhill Fields (and the surrounding plots) a system was worked out allowing Quakers, Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists, Presbyterians and others to receive a Christian burial when the authorities turned them away elsewhere. Come with me as I tell you their story. Bunhill Fields today sits in the heart of the City of London – on some of the most expensive land in the world – and contains quite a few famous troublemakers!

• Thomas Bayes (c. 1702–1761): Mathematician, credited with Bayes’ Theorem.
• John Bunyan (1628–1688): Puritan preacher and writer, author of The Pilgrim’s Progress.
• Daniel Defoe (1660–1731): Writer, author of Robinson Crusoe.
• William Blake (1757–1827): Poet, artist, and visionary. Oh, tyger, tyger!
• Isaac Watts (1674–1748): Hymn writer and theologian.
• Susanna Wesley (1670–1742): Mother of John and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism.
• Thomas Newcomen (1664–1729): Inventor of the first true commercial atmospheric steam engine.
• Thomas Hardy (1752–1832): Political reformer & founder of the London Corresponding Society.
• James Ware (1756–1815): Eye surgeon and Fellow of the Royal Society. Co-founder of modern ophthalmology.
• David Nasmith (1799–1839): Founder of the City Mission Movement.
• Thomas Stothard (1755–1834) Artist and engraver. He was the illustrator for both Bunyon’s The Pilgrim’s Progress and Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe… appears he was buried near them too! He also illustrated some of Robert Burns’ poems and an edition of The Complete Works of Shakespeare. In all, more than 5,000 (known) designs.
• John Owen (1616–1683) Puritan theologian and academic administrator during the 17th century, Owen was a significant religious figure.
• George Fox (1624–1691) One of the founders of the Quaker movement, Fox is buried in the nearby Quaker Gardens on Bunhill Row.

There – look at all the bonus surprises you picked up from reading the description! I wonder what goodies lie in the descriptions of the other Piece of the Past vids…?

Enjoyed this video? Please make sure to like and subscribe. It genuinely helps.

Also, you know, share the link with a few hundred-thousand of your closest friends, too. Or, you could always learn about the only time an entire English city got itself excommunicated by the Pope? Bit of a “whoops”, that one:    • 1272: When The Pope Excommunicated Norwich