Two 12th Century Crypts

Berkswell and Warwick

Ever since I first visited St Wilfrid’s crypt at Ripon I have had a soft spot for these underground structures. So on my recent trip, I couldn’t resist visiting a crypt on the first day. And what a crypt it was too!

If you want to read more on crypts, here is one on AngloSaxon crypts (including Ripon), here’s the one about the crypt at Hexham (built by St Wilfrid), and here’s Canterbury Cathedral.

The crypt above is in the church of St John the Baptist at Berkswell (pronounced “Barkswell”). An enchanting church, of which I will have more to say, but today it’s all about the crypt. I should say “crypts” really because you can see from the photo above that the crypt has an ante-chamber which is octagonal in shape, the peculiar shape being seen most easily in the roof vaulting.

Interestingly, there is a similar shape crypt underneath St Augustine’s Abbey at Canterbury, now partially destroyed by the later 12th century crypt. Is this a 7th, 8th or 9th century imitation of Canterbury? It’s intriguing and definitely not Norman.