Something from My Files from the HE Insider

deandddd · June 25, 2013, 8:11pm

Experts investigate secret Templar tunnels found beneath Hertford, UK

University of London team to examine tunnels unearthed in the Mercury

A TEAM of tunnel experts is set to descend on Hertford in a bid to
uncover
the
subterranean labyrinth revealed by the Mercury.

Archaeologists, geologists and historians based at the University of
London
will don Davy lamps in an effort to shed light on the ancient county
town's
historical underground network.

Members of Subterranea Britannica contacted the Mercury following our
story
last week about the secret chambers and passages said to connect key
sites
in
Hertford, including County Hall and the Castle.

The vice-chairman of the society, MC Black, said: "I was fascinated
to read
about the tunnels and would be very interested to look into them
further.

"I will be contacting members with some expertise including
geologists and
archaeologists to visit Hertford and try to verify the extent of the
system."

And he asked a Mercury reporter to give a presentation on the search
for
hidden Hertford to the society, which has an advisory role with the
Ministry
of Defence, at their annual meeting in Cambridge next year.

The move comes despite a threat from a sinister secret society based
in
Hertford, which warned people not to delve deeper into the town's
subterranean
secrets.

The menacing message was posted on community website wareonline.co.uk
this
week, but quickly removed.

It was written by a character called 'Retarius' and read: "Those
responsible
had no business publicising any of the Templar tunnels, disused or
otherwise."

It appeared to warn the Templars who had revealed the tunnel network
that
they
would be "dealt with" and added: "Anybody intending to find out more,
let
alone discover hidden areas of the labyrinth, should check their life
insurance policy very carefully indeed."

The message sent a shiver through the spine of Templar twins Ben and
Tim
Acheson, who exposed the secret tunnels to the Mercury.

But Ben said: "As long as we're responding to emails and calls, and
unless
there is blood on my sword, or my brother's sword, I think you can
safely
assume that we have not been 'dealt with' yet."

Last week the Achesons spoke about how they believe the tunnels could
even
hold a clue in the search for the Holy Grail. It is believed to have
been
kept
by the Templars, a group of warrior monks who date back to the
Crusades.

Some of the knights were based at Temple Chelsin, Bengeo, and are
said to
have
buried treasure which, despite efforts by King Edward II almost 600
years
ago,
was never found.

Does Ware have its own subterranean secrets?

AFTER revelations that a warren of tunnels runs beneath Hertford,
there are
claims that Ware could have its own dark and secret labyrinth.

The Mercury's report last week revealing Hertford's subterranean
heritage
has
sparked speculation in Ware that it too has a set of chambers and
passages.

It is believed that monks who lived in The Priory used a tunnel to
gain
underground access to St Mary's Church in Church Street.

Christina Yanetski, who owns the Tap Bar in High Street, believes
that her
medieval cellar is the entrance to a tunnel that may once have led to
the
Priory or the church.

She said: "I think the monks must have used it as an escape route
during the
Reformation.

"It is sweet to think that they also used it to come and get a pint
from the
pub, which has been here since 1452."

But a Priory spokeswoman claimed that there is no tunnel in the crypt
and
local historian and publisher David Perman said that the labyrinth is
a
myth.

He told the Mercury: "There are two rivers underneath Baldock Street
which
run
through tunnels and there are lots of vaulted cellars in places in
the town.

"There are supposed to be tunnels running from Manor House in Church
Street
to
The Priory and Thunder Hall at the top of Baldock Street, and to St
Mary's
Church.

"But I don't believe any of them exist because there isn't a crypt in
the
church - you'd have to fight your way through coffins to reach it from
underground.

"There are legends that the monks would use a tunnel from the Priory
to the
pub, which is now the Tap Bar, and that they would knock on the door
to
collect some beer. It's all legend."

But Christina said: "I live in Crib Street and there is definitely an
entrance
to a tunnel in the garden."

There is a local legend that the Tap Bar tunnel collapsed, killing
several
monks, and nobody has dared brave the dark passage under the pub ever
since.

But some residents are undaunted by the claims from the local
historian and
a
group of them are set to go on a mission to explore the tunnels using
a
video
camera.

One said: "There is at least one tunnel beneath Ware town centre, a
secret
passage connecting the vault beneath St Mary's Church and the
medieval crypt
of Ware Priory.

"Its existence is denied by both the church and The Priory."

TUNNEL VISION (PHOTO): Knights Templar Ben Acheson revealed the tunnel
network
to the Mercury; top, our story from last week.
[Modern Knights Templar photographed working ritual with sword outside
Temple
in secret location late at night. Wearing suit, tie and white gloves,
he
holds
a sword against his chest in a ritual grip as he faces the rising
sun. ]

SOURCE: Hertfordshire Mercury, "Experts look into Hertford's
labyrinth", p
23,
15 October 2004.
[ http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/mercury/...y.asp?
id=161472<http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/mercury/...y.asp?
id=161472> ]
Archived: [ http://www.theinsider.org/mailing/article.asp?
id=0634<http://www.theinsider.org/mailing/article.asp?id=0634> ]