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The book explores the multifaceted history of rural churchyards, focusing on various aspects such as legal, settlement, and linguistic histories. It examines the asylum function of cemeteries since late antiquity, the role of churchyards during medieval settlement in Westphalia, and the linguistic evolution of terms related to burial sites. Additionally, it addresses the governance of churchyards through community responsibility and ecclesiastical norms in the late Middle Ages, highlighting the significance of churchyards in urban settings. The text delves into the interplay between the living and the dead, discussing funeral customs, liturgical practices, and the impact of confessional conflicts on burial traditions. It presents the churchyard as a communication space and a site of worship, with historical observations from various diocesan rituals. Social distinctions and memorial culture are also examined, particularly in the context of societal changes, with case studies on noble memorial practices and the dynamics of burial in rural communities. The book further investigates the architectural and social structures of churchyards in Westphalia, providing insights into their historical significance. Finally, it includes microstudies on churchyard spaces and symbolic communication, illustrating the complex social topography and perceptions of churchyards in specific locales, such as Badbergen. The research underscores the