Lastingham Church Crypt

For those of you who like history, this place in Lastingham is an amazing historical survival.

The first monastery is believed to have been built on this site in 654AD, and to have been a wooden structure. It suffered at the hands of Viking raiders and was totally destroyed and abandoned around 870AD.

William the Conqueror gave permission for a new church to be built on the site in 1078AD, when Benedictine monks from Whitby, moved to Lastingham. However they only stayed for 10 years before moving to found St Marys Abbey in York. It is thought that the remoteness of the abbey at Lastingham and the outlaw nature of the area forced them to relocate.

Over the centuries a new church was built above the crypt, which was the main survival of the 1078AD abbey. The crypt underneath St Mary's Church has walls that are 3 feet (0.91 m) thick. It is reputed to be the only crypt in England that has a nave, apse and side aisles. The crypt also lays claim to be the oldest Norman crypt in the world and additionally the only one with a nave, aisles and an apsidal chancel.

So a remarkable survival and one of the objectives of our walk on Saturday. The side aisles house the remains of a number of moorland crosses, and also display a Viking hog back carved stone.

Ian

[Margaret Brown]

A very atmospheric capture and history!

[carol white]

An interesting narrative and lovely old building

[bruni]

Interesting picture and great narrative.

[gloria jones]

I like that you captured the stone arches that creates a leading line to light.

[Casablanca]

What a fascinating place, I had not heard of it before.

[william wooderson]

I'm always intrigued by crypts! Fav.

[Pyrrhula]

Great capture of this lovely cryps. Have nice memories of them when I did visit Gr.Br. Fav.

[Babs]

Great shot and interesting narrative.

[Kathy A]

It sounds fascinating

[bkb in the city]

Great capture and very interesting information

[Wylie]

It made me think of a torture chamber! Something to do with the tunnel aspect you created I hope!

[Dione Giorgio]

Oh wow, A place to visit ! Thank you for the history.

[Fisher Family]

@craftymeg @carolmw @bruni @seattlite @casablanca @will_wooderson @pyrrhula @onewing @kjarn @bkbinthecity @pusspup @sangwann

Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

Interesting that Wylie ( @pusspup ) should be reminded of a torture chamber - to me this is one of those special places and feels full of peace. A visit to this crypt is a very refreshing experience.

Ian

[Nina Ganci]

amazing history! Absolutely fascinating. Read it a few times as I cannot get over how old your history is. Crypts are very special places and to find one where a church service was held is impressive indeed! Thanks for sharing the history
fav

[Fisher Family]

@ninaganci

Thank you Nina, I'm pleased that you found it interesting. We are very fortunate to be surrounded by so much history!

Ian