Deadmans Lane, why is it called that? Options

[scott]

My daughter asked me and i do not know the answer, google brings up a deadmans lane near Theale, but not the Greenham one. I assume they are linked and has something to do with the first battle of newbury.. Can anyone confirm or send me a link??

Thanks!!

[On the edge]

I'm not sure if this is the reason for the Greenham one, but many years back, a right of way could be established by taking a coffin along a track to the local church for a funeral. Quite important when most of the land was owned by our peers - many of them not wanting the hoi poli passing through their estates! So, 'dead man's lane' a good title for these ways.