Churchyard Wall, Grave-stones, Chest-Tombs and Railings at Church of St Mael and St Sulien

The churchyard at the Church of St Mael and St Sulien was likely established when the church was founded, at least by the early 13th century. It is roughly circular in shape, bordered by the building line of High Street to the north and enclosed by rough rubble walls elsewhere, with the buildings of the College forming part of the southern boundary. The churchyard features a rich collection of grave stones, including several groups of late 18th century headstones towards the southeast, some late 18th century slab tombs with head and footstones, and early 19th century chest tombs. One tomb next to the southern wall of the chancel has a slab supported by Mannerist bulbous-shaped legs and may date from the 17th century. Most of these earlier memorials are made of slate, which was also used for many of the later 19th century stones, primarily located to the southwest and west of the churchyard. Several of these later stones are enclosed by ornate cast iron railings. In addition to the headstones and chest tombs, there is a mid-19th century obelisk and an ornate sarcophagus with a bronze inscription plate dated 1856. On the eastern side of the path leading to the northern doorway of the church, there is a series of 'kneeler graves', where low upright stones have grooves said to be cut to support the knees of kneeling mourners. These stones have been noted at several other locations in the area and seem to be a local feature. Their dates are no longer legible, but they were recorded as 1771 and 1810 in a local guidebook from 1902.