crossroads divination was conducted in britain and other parts of europe, and is associated with the belief that the devil could be made to manifest at such intersections. crossroads lore also includes the idea that spirits of the dead could be "bound" (immobilized or rendered powerless) at crossroads, specifically suicides and hanged criminals, but also witches, outlaws and gypsies. the belief was that since straight routes could facilitate the movement of spirits, so contrary features like crossroads and stone or turf labyrinths could hinder it. an example of a crossroad execution-ground was the famous tyburn, london, which stood on the spot where the roman road to edgware crossed the roman road heading west out of london.