165 
On the Crvpt beneath the Chancel of Repton 
Church, Derbyshire. 
By J. T. IRVINE. 
of Saxon date) is undoubtedly both a singular and 
valuable specimen of that style and period, though 
the constantly recurring statement about its “Saxon Crypt,” 
when put to the dry test of measurement and study on the 
spot, somewhat disappointed the expectations raised, while the 
supposition of so interesting a design of pre-Norman date 
existing lasted. 
It is like so many other churches which belonged to ecclesiastical 
corporations, whose legal responsibilities for the upholding of even 
the chancel received here, as elsewhere, but the recognition of that 
fact in an expenditure; just so much, and no more: as barely 
kept the fabric from tumbling about their ears. (“It’s a bad wind, 
however, that blows no good to any one,” here we can truly, and 
without shame, thank a negligence which thus preserved to us a 
most valuable stepping-stone in the history of Saxon architecture). 
The nave, and all westward belonging to the parochial laity, has 
suffered rebuilding ona noble scale, though now certainly much 
in want of the help of some munificent layman or laymen to 
continue and hand on the early contrast. 
The assignation of this crypt to a Saxon date had been, I find, 
already and strongly questioned by an acute and able member of 
the Derbyshire Archeological Society, the Rev. J. C. Cox, in his 
