Nun and monk slain for misconduct buried in a West Berkshire beer garden

A chilling tale of medieval punishment by Trish Lee. Pictures by Phil Cannings

As you go down the beer garden path from the car park to the 15th-century coaching inn The Bull at Streatley, you’ll notice an ancient yew on your left and by that tree a plaque inscribed with the chilling words ‘In 1440 a nun and a monk here slain for misconduct and buried under the yew tree’.

Local legend also has it that both were executed by being walled up alive – an act called immurement - before being buried there.