Comments on: A Brief History Of Crypts

By: Charles Bazalgette

Charles Bazalgette — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:42:00 +0000

My gggggfr and some of his family were moved from St Marylebone crypt to Brookwood –
https://prinnystaylor.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/louis-bazalgettes-coffin-plate/

By: Dianne

Dianne — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 06:07:28 +0000

A fascinating article as I have visited several crypts. I wonder if anyone has thought to contact the current Earl of Dartmouth to see if he wants his coffins back?

By: sberris

sberris — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 19:39:57 +0000

I recommend a visit to St Bride’s crypt; a young researcher was down there matching the coffin plates to the old records – very devoted to work in such surroundings. If you time it right you can also enjoy a free lunchtime concert.

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 17:27:31 +0000

from earliest days of Christianity, burials as close as possible to the sacred space of a church cross [firstly] or church building [later] were sought as being more holy. So for many centuries clergy, patrons and other rich/powerful persons had their coffins under church floors, in crypts etc. The custom doesn’t seem to have waned much with Reformation, but probably did so with urban population growth until 19th century

PS great coffin plate photos!

By: Peter Holford

Peter Holford — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 18:50:05 +0000

That fleshes out some of my family research – thank you GA. In a family autobiography that has come down from the 19th century it states, “Giles [Pound] became a very respectable merchant tailor in Kingsland Road, London, where he died a widower about the year 1826, leaving three children and was buried under Shoreditch Church.”

That fits with the date being before 1852. I’m not sure what good it did him – his bones are probably scattered to the four winds. I wonder what became of his soul.

By: Valerie-Jael

Valerie-Jael — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 14:39:34 +0000

A very interesting and informative article. Valerie

By: Helen Breen

Helen Breen — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 10:49:25 +0000

Greetings from Boston,

GA, thanks for sharing Malcolm Johnson’s “Brief History of Crypts.” Very informative about the reasons for and extent of their use by prominent “gentlefolks” and dignitaries who chose this method of interment.

The Crypt at St. Martins-in-the- Fields is one of my go-to spots for a quick bite when I am in London. I enjoy the vibe, reasonable prices, and ambiance.

By: Sue Sturges

Sue Sturges — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 09:54:34 +0000

Absolutely fascinating and really informative – thank you, I really enjoyed this!

By: Caroline Bottomley

Caroline Bottomley — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 06:45:29 +0000

What an interesting article, thank you very much

By: Jim McDermott

Jim McDermott — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 01:47:16 +0000

I do love a crypt! Each one’s an oasis in the middle of bustle above and around it. In my London years I spent many hours in St Bride’s, contemplating almost all of London’s 2000 year history in brilliantly exposed layers.