Saint
Lud's Hidden Church
No roof, no bell, and no one to inform.
Stand where it happened
- What's there
- Deep mossy rock chasm in woodland
- Legend from
- Local tradition; printed c.1860
- Tone
- Dark history
Persecuted worshippers once whispered their prayers down here, out of sight of the law.
The hidden chasm of Lud's Church is said to have been a secret meeting place for Lollards, followers of John Wycliffe, in the early 15th century, when their beliefs were persecuted. The name may come from Walter de Ludank, said to have been captured here at a meeting. A local tale published around 1860, 'A Legend of Lud's Church', retold this in Victorian style, and Haden notes it was attributed to a Miss Dakeyne. Around 1862 Philip Brocklehurst placed a ship's figurehead, called Lady Lud, in a niche above the chasm, said to commemorate a Lollard preacher's daughter who died.