There is an old Welsh tradition of the SIN-EATER, a man who for trifling payment was believed to take upon himself, by means of food and drink, the sins of a deceased person.
Usually each village had its official sin-eater to whom notice was given as soon as a death occurred. He at once went to the house, and there, a stool being brought, he sat down in front of the door. A groat, a crust of bread and a bowl of ale were handed him, and after he had eaten and drunk he rose and pronounced the ease and rest of the dead person, for whom he thus pawned his own soul.
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