Royston Cave: A Mystery Beneath the Streets of England
Located below the streets of Royston, in Hertfordshire England is a mysterious man-made cave known as the Royston Cave. It was discovered way back in 1842 (and some believed it to be old, even then). To this day, it’s purpose and creators remain unknown.
It was an August day in 1742 and a man was working on a digging a hole outside the town. Underneath the soil was a millstone, and beneath that stone he uncovered a shaft that led into an opening. He alerted folks and a young boy was called to head down into the shaft. When he returned, he said there was something down there...but it was full of soil. So, the people came down and dug it out and they were greeted with a man-made chamber shaped like a bell and dug out under the rock beneath the town's crossroads. Oh, and did I mention it was covered in ancient carvings? Some of the depictions represent the Crucifixion, and possibly of the Holy Sepulchre and Holy Family, as well as St Katherine, St Lawrence, St Christopher, St George, Thomas Becket, and Richard I. The carvings are believed to correspond to the 13th century based on the style. But, that's about all we know about the rest of the cave.
Also, I should mention that the crossroads the cave is underneath aren't just any roads. In fact, there are two ancient roads: Ermine Street, and the infamous Old North Road, which ran from London to Lincoln and on to York. The other street was Icknield Way which is a prehistoric trackway believed to be the oldest road in Great Britain. So, this appears to have some special significance.
As folks, and later, archeologists explored the strange alcove, they found carvings on the walls that depict biblical scenes, symbols of the Knights Templar, and possibly even the Norman Conquest. Some carvings indicate a possible connection with the Crusades in the 11th Century, and others suggest that the cave could have been used for religious rituals.
No known record of the cave, who built it, or its purpose have ever been uncovered. But, of course, theories abound.
Some believe it was a secret Templar Meeting Place, A damaged section of the carving does seem to depict two knights riding together on horseback, which was the symbol of the templars. However, the piece is damaged and this alone cannot be conclusive proof.
In a similar vein, it was also believed to be an early Freemason lodge. King James I actually had a hunting lodge built in Royston in 1604, and some believe he had this cave built to use a Freemason's Lodge while staying in the town.
But, ultimately, the truth remains unclear. There may never be an answer to this mystery. All that we can definitively say is that Royston Cave is an amazing example of medieval architecture that continues to spark curiosity centuries later.
The blog feature image depicts English: Sculptures in Royston Cave S. Catherine, the Crucifixion, the Five Wounds, and sundry enigmatical figures. It is licensed under the public domain.
Thanks to Caz for this blogstonishing suggestion!