Free Writing- Crypts of London

Free Writing

Crypts of London

This book shows the history and stories behind some of the most exciting crypts. The author adds personal comments on his experiences.

This book is a vital addition to the social history of London and burial grounds. This book is an insight into the most private crypts in London; Crypts that cannot be accessed by the general public. It states that from seventy churches with crypts, thirty-one no longer exists.

Johnson gives unique accounts of each individual crypt and rare, unique features. He explains the history of London burials. It is a great source to know what happens to each crypt.

This book explains the creation of crypts. It began with the ambition of the clergy, churchwardens and vestries to earn some money for internments in the church. According to Malcolm Johnson until 1700 the city of London parishes could receive between 7 and 20 per cent of their non-poor rate annual income from burial does.

This book also explains what happens to crypts after 1850 were when the burial act passed.

Crypts started to be readapted for other uses. The church began to sell these spaces to be given other uses.

The author is a retired priest, and he gives his unique viewpoint on the church.

This book was imperative to my understanding of crypt history and mindset of the church behind the creation of crypts. It gave me unique information to consider for my research.

It recounts the story that happened in the church and the crypt while in use.

In conclusion, this book have unique information into each crypt, and it gave me vital primary information in the selection of my site. It allowed me to see the crypts remaining nowadays and the uses.

Annotated Biography

Johnson, M. (2013). Crypts of London. New York: The History Press.

Crypts of London talks about all existing crypts, its condition and its history. It explores the history of crypts. This book is a great insight into the crypts of London. The author gives an account of the rare features of each crypt. He explains the origins of crypts and how it began with the ambition of clergy, church guardians and vestries. He documents the uses of the crypts after the burial acts passed after 1850. As a retired priest, the author gives a rare insight into the church and exclusive access into some of the crypts.