Saxon Building Chosen as Top Archeological Site
Visit One of the Oldest Saxon Sites In England at Repton Church
Sep 27, 2009
Built in the reign of King Aethelbald (716-757) the crypt of Repton Church is one of the oldest remaining Saxon constructions in the UK and a most important archaeological site according to Prof. Martin Biddle, Emeritus Professor of Oxford University. Professor Biddle, an expert on Medieval history, recently chose the Saxon Crypt at Repton Church as one of his top five archaeological sites world-wide.
How did Repton's Saxon Crypt Survive for over 1,200 Years?
This ancient building probably survived until today because it was, for many years, completely lost and forgotten. In the 8th Century Repton was the capital of the Kingdom of Mercia. The crypt became the resting place for the Mercian Kings Aethelbald, Ethelbald, Wiglaf and his grandson, Wystan (aka Wigstan) who was murdered there in 849 AD.
After Wystan's death his cult grew, fueled by tales of miracles that occurred near his remains. So the crypt became an important pilgrimage destination in the Anglo-Saxon world, from which the village benefited for the next 200 years.
Repton Church Became a Pilgrimage Destination for St Wystan
Initially the crypt was built slightly below ground level and it may have functioned as a baptistry. It was then roofed by King Aethelbald and became his mausoleum. It was altered in 849 in order to house the bones of St. Wystan so that it could be more conveniently accessed by the many pilgrims who wanted to visit his relics, hoping for a miracle.
What Happened to Wystan's Bones?
It was in the reign of Cnut (985-1025) - also known as the legendary King Canute -that Wystan's relics were donated to Evesham Abbey. Their gain was Repton's loss and the village consequently lost its status as a pilgrimage destination.
Over the years the church was altered and buildings encroached closer to its exterior until at one point the stairways down into the crypt were covered over. The crypt was forgotten and so for centuries it remained completely sealed off. It is to this fact that archaeologists and historians attribute the current exceptional state of preservation of the the crypt.
How was Repton's Saxon Crypt Rediscovered?
The rediscovery of the crypt came about quite by chance in 1779 when a workman, digging a grave hole in the chancel floor, broke through the vaulting of south-west compartment and fell headlong into it. In 1802 an Ossiary (bone house) situated next to the church was removed to make way for the building of a coach house and the original stairs to the North Side of the Crypt were rediscovered.
Once the crypt was reopened it became subjected to frost and water ingress causing some damage. In 1998 it was refurbished at some considerable expense.
Visiting Repton Church & the Crypt
Visitors are welcomed at Repton Church. The Crypt is accessed through a stairwell located to the left of the Crusader Tomb. A light switch can be found on the pillar by the Knight's head. Visitors are asked to make sure to close the crypt door on leaving and to ensure that the crypt lights are switched off.
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