Going Underground: Bury St Edmunds

The ruined eleventh-century abbey in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was built over several generations with flint encased with limestone and chalk mined deep. Thirty houses were affected by property blight and had to be demolished, leading to stories of medieval ghostly figures traversing the town via secret tunnels. Local author Martyn Taylor offers a fascinating insight into the town's heritage, including tunnels, burial sites, chalk mines, cellars, municipal works, military defences, parch marks, and more.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Nestled within the historic Suffolk market town of Bury St Edmunds lies the remnants of the eleventh-century abbey, a once-magnificent Benedictine monastery that stood as one of England's wealthiest and most influential religious institutions, and among the largest in Europe. The construction of this awe-inspiring abbey church spanned several generations, with the chosen material being flint encased in limestone, held together by lime mortar. The acquisition of the necessary chalk, a crucial component for this construction, required the extraction of the mineral from deep within the earth, leading to the establishment of chalk mines in various parts of the town, including the east, west, and central areas. However, centuries later, a catastrophic event unfolded when thirty houses, constructed above these chalk mines, were ravaged by property blight, necessitating their demolition. With the closure of the abbey following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, tales of medieval ghostly figures haunting the town through secret tunnels emerged. These spectral beings, believed to be the Anglo-Saxon ancestors of the townspeople, were unearthed during construction works on the outskirts of town.

In his captivating book titled "Going Underground: Bury St Edmunds," local author Martyn Taylor delves into the rich heritage of this Suffolk town, hidden beneath its surface. The book is organized into distinct chapters that explore various aspects of the town's underground world, including tunnels, burial sites, chalk mines, cellars, municipal works, military defenses, parch marks, and much more. Throughout the book, stunning illustrations accompany the text, providing a visual glimpse into the hidden treasures concealed beneath Bury St Edmunds. By delving into these subterranean realms, readers are invited to uncover a wealth of historical surprises, ranging from ancient cellars to Victorian sewers. This captivating exploration invites readers to embark on an intriguing journey, shedding light on the hidden depths that lie beneath their feet in the enchanting town of Bury St Edmunds.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 165 x 233 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398105089