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The Hardwicke Vault lies under the Chicheley Chapel
of St Andrew's Parish Church and it contains the coffins of nine
members of the Yorke family.
Introduction
[Based on a report written in June 1956]
Some of the boards gave way when the churchyard was
mowed and a hole appeared. On Monday, 18 June the steps were excavated
and the vault and the coffins exposed. On the evening of that day
the Rector entered the vault and took the below particulars and
descriptions. On the following morning, 19 June 1956, the doorway
of the vault was temporarily bricked up to avoid desecration. This
was merely a precautionary measure until further advice could be
obtained. The cost of this temporary wall and of timbers to cover
over the steps was borne by Mrs Bambridge of Wimpole Hall.
General Description
The entrance to the vault is situated on the north
side of the Chicheley Chapel, directly beneath the centre window.
It is approached by a flight of brick steps, the beginning of which
projects out into the churchyard about 8 feet 6 inches. The level
of the vault is reached at a depth of 7 feet. The steps descend
between two brick walls which are 5 feet 8 inches in height. Boards
are placed over the steps and resting on the walls and the whole
covered with earth to a depth of one foot. There are eight steps.
The door into the vault was of oak, but has rotted and is lying
in pieces.
The vault itself measures approximately 10 feet
by 15 feet constructed of brick which has been limewashed. The floor
is of brick also, except for two narrow shelves a few inches from
the floor on either side of the doorway. These shelves are of small
square slabs, one of the shelves on the right hand side is empty.
The ceiling is rounded and at its highest point, in the centre,
is approximately 5 feet 8 inches high. In the centre of the roof
at approximately 5 feet and 10 feet from the door are two circular
holes about 1 foot in diameter which appear to be closed at the
top by the pavement of the chapel.
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