We found a mortsafe!

A mortsafe or mortcage was a construction designed to protect graves from disturbance. Resurrectionists and Night Doctors had supplied schools of anatomy since the early 18th century. This was due to the necessity for medical students to learn anatomy by attending dissections of human subjects, which was frustrated by the very limited allowance of dead bodies - for example the corpses of executed criminals - granted by the government, which controlled the supply.
Authorities turned a blind eye to grave-rifling because surgeons and students were working to advance medical knowledge. They kept publicity to a minimum to prevent people from realising what was happening. The cases of grave-robbing that came to light caused riots, damage to property and even fatal attacks. In the early 19th century, with the great increase in numbers of schools and students, there was continual rifling of secluded graveyards, fights in city burial grounds and other disturbances. Men were employed to steal bodies and transport them from place to place, even across the sea, for sale to medical schools. Revelations led to public outrage, particularly in Scotland, where there was great reverence for the dead and a literal belief in the Resurrection. It was popularly believed that the dead could not rise in an incomplete state.
The mortsafe was invented around 1816. These were iron or iron-and-stone devices of great weight, in many different designs. Often they were complex heavy iron contraptions of rods and plates, padlocked together; examples have been found close to all Scottish medical schools. A plate was placed over the coffin and rods with heads were pushed through holes in it. These rods were kept in place by locking a second plate over the first to form extremely heavy protection. It would be removed by two people with keys. They were placed over the coffins for about six weeks, then removed for further use when the body inside was sufficiently decayed.
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[@amydelune9655]

What a lovely video. In my nursing school the sisters mentioned mortsafes and how bodies were sold to medical schools to teach anatomy. I’m sure also for more sinister reasons. Good visit and thanks for a peek at your sweet boy❤

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Amy, I believe famies were very much in fear x

[@jenwanner4911]

Beautiful cemetery. I'm so glad the sheep didn't chase ewe!! I'm sorry I couldn't resist. I have never seen a mort-safe in use before, so amazing. Great video Sue and what an adorable little boy. Loved the thumbs up! Thank you for taking us along. Cheers

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hey Jen, oh the jokes were worse during the live chat yours was actually the best one x

[@tomsdotter3228]

Yeah, the jokes were baaaaaad

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

🤣🤣 and so it continues 😉😅

[@cathys7087]

Wow what a gorgeous day with the puffy clouds and sheep 🐑 😊 Lovely cemetery as well. The grotto with the Virgin Mary is beautiful. Great to see Ollie! Thanks Sue!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It was a beautiful day, thanks Cathy

[@sallykohorst8803]

I love your opening of Halloween. Amazing graves and closing them tight so vandals can just go away!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Sally, protecting their loved ones, shame people do horrible things to the dead

[@shelaleon1879]

Hello Sue and GV, what a lovely cemetery!! You have very old headstones there, the mortsafe is very well preserved great find.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Shela x

[@bcoldgoalie]

I could so live the rest of my life in that beautiful countryside!🥰 It takes a special kind of creep to rob graves! Another fine video Sue and GV.😊👍

[@susanelliott2831]

At one time it was profitable to rob graves. They would be sold to medical schools.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I know Hans, you may work on the wife to convice her to retire here lol

[@davidjohnson7665]

Vere interesting video Madam Sue, you visited all the ancient Graves and explained who was buried in it, calm and quiet area for the dead to rest peacefully, Madam your efforts are highly appreciated, Convey my greetings to the graceful little boy and Sir who accompanied you, may the Virgin Mary's Statue guard the cemetery, tks and best wishes from India, God bless all

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank you David, remembering those who have no one o visit is my number one for this channel x

[@davidjohnson7665]

Thanks Madam once again 🙏

[@cathysummers7558]

Beautiful markings on tombstone's. Thank you for sharing. ❤️🇺🇸

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Cathy x

[@cathysummers7558]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards Your most welcome Sue! ❤️🇺🇸

[@donnicholas7552]

Beautiful countryside and cemetery!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks for watching Don, it was beautiful

[@marlenepearson3936]

Hi Sue 👋 Happy to have time to watch and comment tonight. I just love ❤️ the old Cemetaries you have in Ireland 🇮🇪 Most of the ones around me in the Western USA 🇺🇸 aren't that old. And not like those. Although my Dad's Mom is burried in a really interesting one started in 1847. I always wanted to tour it. But couldn't make it up and down the hills in my 20's. Let alone 40 years later! 😆 So good to see this. 💕

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Marlene, thank you 😊

[@susanelliott2831]

Beautiful countryside. Love the sight of the sheep.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It's a stunning location x

[@russellcandy9850]

You have the most amazing finds!! These cemeteries are fascinating and so are you!! Thanks so much for all you do!!!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank you Russell, I'm just being me ❤️❤️

[@Tracymcgrath-p3e]

Never heard of a mortsafe. Fascinating stuff ❤

[@greywebs1944]

Mortsafe were also used to bury Witches, locals were concerned witches might escape. But grave robbers is more the reason. Those gravestones are marvellous in such good condition. The lettering stood out 👍 Hi Ollie 👋

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Grey, vampires was another factor years ago too x

[@cemeteriesdownunder9247]

very cool cemetery Sue , love the different etchings and the face on the corner of that old tombstone , you have lots of wind we have non stop rain here , the body snatcher times were awful , but cool find xx stay safe lovely 😍

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It's spilling rain here now, hate it, I'll suffer the wind but definitely not rain..yes that face was kind of eerie

[@cemeteriesdownunder9247]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards yeah I hate the rain too , good for ducks not much else , I'm sure we will grow gills here soon we have way too much water this year , stay safe xxx

[@judyhazell316]

Thank you so much God Bless. 🙏❤

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Judy, thanks for watching

[@evakiss2562]

Hi Sue! I learned somewhere, the priest and reverend grave facing north and a church members facing east…because after resurrection they can guide they flock…🤷‍♀️I find this in most of cemeteries or graveyards what I visited so far…

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

You're correct, he's meant to face his community to welcome them to heaven, sweet I think, he's still working to guide his flock x x

[@evakiss2562]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards ❤️

[@lisaturner3130]

Thank all for another great video. Beautiful little place & so well looked after xx

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Lisa, wasn't it beautiful 😍

[@Lunarstruck1]

Just lovely, thank you for taking us along!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

So welcome Sue 🙏

[@jillmunro7438]

Amazing cemetery!! 😀 Thank you ❤️

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Jill, appreciate it

[@Carolbearce]

This happened in the US also. We have mortsafes here also. Early medical schools would pay for the bodies and it was illegal also. Horrible practice.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes just terrible what they did, so sad to think people in grief had to worry about things like this

[@Liz_678]

This was so good Sue! Can you imagine having to put up bars to protect the body of a loved one😟. This was an interesting graveyard! Thanks so much. ( spooky intro😱)

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes Liz, I just said exactly that in a reply to Peter, you're grieving for you're loved one and terrified of graverobbers getting them, sad really x

[@terrirobinson3876]

So cool Sue! I have only seen one and low to the ground. Not as big as that one.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It's huge Terri for sure

[@krizkat]

This was cool love that Irish countryside and the sheep!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It was beautiful for sure, beautiful scenery

[@peterredfern1174]

Another great video,sue ,sad that people would take the deceased for experiments.It’s now 8.09am due to daylight saving Oz is now 10 ahead . I’ll say nite sue,GV,Ollie and everyone else ,brekkie time here,take care,stay safe from ballarat in Oz,👋👋🙏🙏🇦🇺god bless.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Have a great day Peter, imagine having to go to the effort and cost to put a cage on a grave to protect a loved one, scary to think about

[@peterredfern1174]

Then again if you can afford it ,it’s worth the cost in the long run.just sad also for those who can’t afford it ,then again loved ones should be allowed to R.I.P,NITE from Oz,sweet dreams.😴😴

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Very true Peter

[@ShelArmstrong]

Yes you are I can see you both together and here Both of you I love the both you read the head stones to gether you both are great ❤❤👍👍 love you both night night X X

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank you, good night

[@sandramessenger2044]

Thanks Sue what a beautiful job of narrating and showing us this historical burial

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Very welcome Sandra x

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Interesting video Sue, and I love your Halloween-themed intro music! Those ancient stones on that one grave look to be some kind of antiquties, much older than anything else in the cemetery. I wonder if the person who's grave they're on was an antiquarian? I guess we'll never know. The mortsafe was interesting as well. I've heard of these things but have never seen one.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Oh it could have been for sure, yes the mortsafe was amazing

[@nicolacarmichael658]

I’ve never seen one of those before. It’s absolutely fascinating. Thanks for showing us the cemetery. Hope you are feeling better Sue. Take care of yourself. Love to you, GV and Ollie.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Nicola, my first time seeing one too, it's amazing and a beautiful cemetery

[@tomsdotter3228]

This was a great find. I've never heard of an immortelle and the mortsafe was so cool. Beautiful cemetery and countryside. Thanks for the tour!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

So welcome toms, they are beautiful porcelain birds flowers etc in a glass dome, I couldn't remember the name and got it wrong in the video 😮‍💨 my brain has stopped working lol

[@angieduffcampbell8369]

You found a Duff grave! That could be a distant relative of mine! I know my family line came from Scotland and settled in Ireland for many years before coming to America in the 1750s. That is so awesome!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Oh wow, I love when subscribers find possible distant relatives

[@1sandra475]

Thanks Sue and GV! The day was so clear and bright. Oh there’s little Ollie too! Say hello to him! The mortsafe was something to see! Happy Hallow’s Eve! Boooooo! 🎃

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Sandra, mortsafe was amazing x thanks so much for the superchat too, appreciate it

[@denislacombe4103]

Hi! Sue what a beautiful landscape!! With the sheep! And this cemetery in the midle of the meadiow! To tell you the truth i didn't what a Mort Safe was? It's the first time than i see one! It"s quite hudge!! My Gosh!! I suppose Mort Safes exists in France as well ! But where i don't know?Anyway another interesting video Sue !!! Thank you so much!!! God Bless ! Denis

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes Dennis, England has some too, fascinating really, different shapes and sizes too

[@ShelArmstrong]

You both really work well together love you both take care you are both marvelous ❤❤👍👍sue you are your girl love you both thanks for sharing X X

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank you so much 😊

[@theunheardvoice5520]

Amazing, as always!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank you ❤️

[@sonjakenzler4170]

Thank you again, my thumbs up is yours for every video. We learn so much

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Sonja, it means a lot x

[@michaelbedinger4121]

Beautiful countryside, almost perfect setting for a beautiful cemetery. That mortsafe was COOL! It looked to be in good condition, thank you for showing that. Was that a war grave that GV was looking at? Most of the headstones looked to be in somewhat good condition. This is one cemetery I would LOVE to spend Halloween night in. Is night visitation allowed? Thank you, Sue, GV, and Ollie, for another great video. Take care, stay safe.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Micheal it was a stunning setting, once its not locked up you can enter most of these old cemeteries have a little style you can climb up and over

[@michaelbedinger4121]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards Thank you very much for getting back to me Sue. Like I said, this is one cemetery I would to visit on Halloween night. Do these rural cemeteries have night watchpersons?

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

No no one usually, might be a few houses around that might call the guards/police though

[@michaelbedinger4121]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards Ok, just curious. If I ever have the means to visit Ireland around Halloween in the future, I will keep that in mind. Thank you again, for your patience with my questions.

[@lindabrown7603]

Great wee video .Mortsafe was fab .

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It was Linda, I've searched for a year to find one, this one was huge

[@peterredfern1174]

Got the alarm set for the morning nite all from ballarat in Oz,😴😴🙏🙏🇦🇺

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Peter, appreciate that 🙏

[@carondean2960]

A graveyard in the middle of nowhere better kept than most in the town's . I've never seen a mortsafe so that was great but it could be to keep the spirits in 👻👻 the old gravestones are beautiful to see .Thank you for taking us along for a spooky walk xx

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes Caron, most of the remote cemeteries are over grown, so this is lovely to see it's cared for. Spirits In vampires out, amazing find

[@davidballoid2118]

Awe, I missed you Folks and I missed the live chat today. I was at the doctors office. I wonder if their was pad locks on the top of those cages? I'm also surprised not to see a caretakers house close to the cemetery to prevent body snatching. ☠🎃👀

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

There was a little house across the road, it's a fantastic place

[@johnmorelli3775]

The mortsafe was very interesting. Never saw one before. It's sad that it was ever needed. The scenery is indeed very beautiful!!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes, terrible, I've found bigger cemeteries that added watch towers to house guards to protect bodies, crazy

[@johncarroll9986]

Love the new theme 😍 grave robbers was a big thing in the 19th century because of science and medical sciences

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It sure was John

[@alandickerson3379]

Thank you for the tour through this very interesting and historic cemetery! I have never seen a mortsafe before. I read the history about them above. Very interesting!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Alan, I have been searching since my channel started x x

[@jamielieberg7053]

you have made another great video love the history here in America there is a lot of those grave that have that protection on them in hamilton Ohio the cemetery I restored had many false crypts the next city CINCINNATI Ohio had a medical school and pay top dollar for fresh bodies. then they would discard them like trash It is so sad that loved ones are lost in that way.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Jamie, it's terrible alright, horrible history

[@melissacrigger6968]

Ireland countryside reminds me so much of our countryside here in Tennessee! ❤

[@rolfsinkgraven]

A very nice old cemetery and a interesting mortsafe.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Rolf yes it sure was a beautiful cemetery and my first mortsafe

[@edilton_ferreira]

Olá bom dia! Seus vídeos são ótimos Serenity Sue.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank you so much 💓

[@tomsdotter3228]

Ooh this looks intriguing!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Nothing like a good mortsafe, can't believe I finally found one, in a very remote beautiful location

[@janbellflower6361]

Can't wait for this one 🤔😘

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Set in a beautiful scenic spot in a field of sheep, typical Ireland

[@janbellflower6361]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards Better get to sleep so I can get up for this one

[@tompena7487]

Thanks to both and the small one enjoyed

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank you Tom x

[@paulsmith8212]

Nice segment, Thank you

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Paul

[@paulsmith8212]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards Your welcome Sue . You and GV are doing a wonderful job!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Ahh thanks again, really appreciate it

[@earthmother1917]

The stone you found on the ground is so old. I agree, I don't think it was originally on that grave. It looked older than any of the graves you read in the cemetery. Amazing 🪦🪦🪦🪦 the time of the year where ghost 👻👻👻 find you.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It was a fantastic cemetery so many different headstones, yes that was was very old for sure

[@maureenalder8905]

Loving the intro 👻 This is up there with my favourites ❤ tombstone

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Maureen it is beautiful

[@karengooding240]

Another great video sending love to you all xx

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Karen, thank you 😊

[@rezalrahim5258]

Nice find ! I love it when you guys come across unique things

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Rezal ❤️

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Oh thank you so much just got notification for your super thanks appreciate it

[@rezalrahim5258]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards just a little help for you and GV in giving everyone such content

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It sure helps a lot

[@brendacanter9768]

Hi Ollie. Love the Halloween intro. Shame the mort safe didn't have a stone with dates. Very pretty place. Hey from Texas❤️

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Ys Brenda, I was thinking the same a date even would have been wonderful, we were saying after paying to get the mortsafe made, did the family have no money for a headstone, sad really

[@boltneck1705]

I also believe that the mort-safe was an added deterrent for grave robbery. In the old days the only study of anatomy was limited to executed criminals from what I understand.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Never knew that, thanks

[@lisaedwards931]

Another beautiful cemetery ❤

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It was gorgeous Lisa, the blue sky and green grass is amazing

[@earthmother1917]

In the USA you could rent a Mort-safe. Once the body was beyond use for scientific experiment, they would have it removed.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Wow, really, probably worth every penny considering grave robbers were always watching and waiting for a new fresh corpse, scary

[@johncritchlow8156]

Love your vids. Have you considered bringing a water container and a sponge, to wet the stones? It makes them much easier to read. 😊

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hey John, thank you x I just find the torch much easier to carry around with me to be honest ❤️

[@wayneiles9823]

Hope this massage finds you well and the winds are not to cold and the sun shines over your shoulder for your beauthful camera work . The body snatches dug up the freshly buried body and sold them to the medical profession .

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Wayne, I'm good thanks, how are you?? Yes it was terrible they'd do that to a body

[@jodouglas5792]

Stunning graveyard such a beautiful place I was born in the UK and our local village graveyard has several mortsafes for the same reason that the graves used to be robbed and the bodies sold to universities for medical students 😢

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It's sad but I think it happened everywhere, they even had watch towers and armed men to protect the recent burials

[@debroahisaacs2452]

So peaceful😊❤😊

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks

[@janbellflower6361]

I love the field stone fence

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

See them everywhere in rural Ireland

[@purplehaze5977]

Lovely place thanks

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Very welcome Hazel, it is beautiful 😍

[@Tracymcgrath-p3e]

Oh the green !!! 😊

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Stunning Tracy

[@benbaker2965]

That first tombstone was intriguing. That style of carving and word spacing suggests it is a much older tombstone. Too bad there were no dates on it.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes Ben it was, I'd of loved to see the date

[@earthmother1917]

Hi Olly... don't let the 👻👻🎃🎃👻👻 get you..LOL

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

He was very interested In the mortsafe

[@Sulzie65]

Very interesting

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Janet x

[@cherylschantz9893]

Mort safes are very common in older cemeteries in my state.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

They are cool to see

[@martinkirby3100]

In some cultures mortsafes were also used by some people who believed that the deceased was a vampire and with the cage over the grave the vampire would not be able to rise from the grave

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Wow!!

[@nanad4348]

❤

[@janbellflower6361]

Never seen a mort- safe this large or so tall🤔🤔🤔

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It's huge Jan for sure

[@rangereview4590]

Where some the headstones in a underground section of the church or did they overtake the land long after the it was gone?im Shure all the tall ones would have come after but a few of the smaller could have fit,not Shure on the church customs if they could have had a "dirt floor" crypt under the church.

[@rangereview4590]

I realize that's unlikely,but would have been very cool

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Some new churches have crypts for sure x

[@flamechef]

enjoyed that sue thanks

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi, thanks Flamechef

[@LaurenFerrell885]

Love the Halloween intro 🙂

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Ye it's cool alright

[@joanneoakshott5486]

❤️💙

[@thewhitewitch7691]

Thank you ,from a dutch Lady, bay sue for Diss Video thanks….🧖‍♀️👬👩‍👦👒

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Are you a white witch or is it just your youtube name, I'm fascinated

[@laurentiudenis2897]

👏👏👏👏👏❤️

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks

[@Chiavaccio]

👏👏👏👍

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks

[@Chiavaccio]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards 😊

[@maureenmarr4190]

Sue looks good watch

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Moe ❤️

[@lindaball6714]

Wow cool. And ya huge but many 4 like plots

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hey Linda, it's definitely cool find

[@shantibel]

Hello Sue. Don't know if you're familiar with the author, John Banville? I'm listening to an audiobook by him, called Snow. Muder mystery set in County Wexford. Thought you might like to give it a try - it's on Y T.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Oh brilliant Shantibel x x thanks 😊

[@shantibel]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards I have got further into it. Trigger warning - it gets a bit heavy and graphic. Not an Agatha Christie. Xx

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Oh cool, I like that

[@shantibel]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards This novel is beautifully written and beautifully read, Sue, but about 2/3rds through it's just got too dark and disturbing for me. Bailing out.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Oh, maybe not for me then either 🤔

[@earthmother1917]

Spooky intro

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Especially for the month we are in

[@RealMelodyBlue]

A several different instances I heard whispering.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I heard them too

[@DennisSalonga-o8b]

📺📺📺📺😭😭🎃🎃🎃💫💫💫

[@natalieshort5768]

Here's to ewe.😂

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I'm loving all the sheep jokes 😅

[@denislacombe4103]

I didn't know

[@aaronsaunders6974]

answer: not unless they had a blowtorch

[@MANUEL-ur5ls]

Hi sue! One kiss for you.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks

[@denislacombe4103]

Middle

[@ShelArmstrong]

Are you with G V sue X X

[@jude5976]

Would you love to see Catholic cemeteries in County Fermanagh. My ancestors were from there but there were plenty of Nolans left behind. God bless them.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Jude, plenty of Nolans in the county I live in too