Deep under the floor of the church, near the south door exists Holy Trinity’s crypt or Charnel House. Local legend suggests that little was known about its existence until the day a hapless gravedigger fell into the crypt whilst working in the church many years ago. Falling some twelve feet through pitch darkness into a mass of bones was too much for the individual to bear, and it is reputed that he lost his mind through the incident, remaining that way until the day he died.
More latterly, the crypt has been reorganised such that the skulls are now displayed on shelves around the walls, and the thigh bones displayed in two large square piles in the centre. A favourite pastime of guides on Sunday afternoons is to enter the crypt in front of visitors so that they can witness the gasps of sheer amazement as visitors first enter!
The 13th century crypt contains the remains of around 1500 individuals. It is thought some were first buried in the churchyard and then moved at a later date. A second burial within the crypt possibly took place around 1580 when the adjacent Jesus Hospital was built on what was perhaps an old burial ground. These are mainly skulls and thigh bones which, according to medieval superstition were necessary for the Resurrection.
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