Stratford church opens crypt for first time in 300 years

[dutchman]

A crypt at a Warwickshire village church where William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway may have married has been opened for the first time in more than three centuries.



The crypt in All Saints Church in Billesley, near Stratford, has been opened as part of conservation work to protect the historic church and help solve the Bard mystery.

The church, which is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust, is a Grade I listed building, dating back to the 11th century. It is one of three churches rumoured to have been Shakespeare’s wedding venue in 1582.

There was speculation its crypt also held clues to the riddle.

A conservation and archaeological team from the Churches Conservation Trust - a charity protecting historic UK churches at risk – dug their way into the crypt and squeezed in through a tiny opening.

They found five stone and lead coffins and one small wooden child’s coffin belonging to the Whalley family who owned the local manor house during the 1700s.

The team also came across stone carvings on the walls and other markings.

Jo Cross, Midlands officer for the Trust, said: “It was tremendously exciting go into the crypt. Knowing we were the first people to enter this space for hundreds of years sent shivers down my spine.

“It was moving to come across the burial sites, particularly the child’s coffin. Once inside we undertook a survey to find what work is needed from us to ensure this 1,000-year-old church has a viable future.

“We will know the results of our survey shortly and also if we’ve learned anything new about the church and its history.

“The mystery of Shakespeare’s wedding venue remains unsolved, but finding where he tied the knot still remains as exciting and challenging as before.”

The survey results will be posted online at http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/shakespeare. It also links to a new exhibition – And Thereby Hangs A Tale – which explores the mystery of Shakespeare’s wedding venue.

It opens on September 15 at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Shottery, near Stratford before touring across the rest of the Midlands until December this year.