Resources for Medieval Church Vaults and Writing about Heists

[meiou_set]

Hi everyone,

So I am trying to write up a heist involving a medieval church vault (though this is as an model, the thing I'm writing is not set in that time period, it's more along a sci fi vein) and have no idea where to start.

Comments

[inamac]

Church vaults were intended for the storage of bodies rather than church plate - which would normally be kept in a strongbox in the vestry (a lot of British churches still have their strongbox - though plate is secured is a proper safe and not normally in the church itself). Try googling Medieval strongboxes for details.

Larger cathedrals (and monasteries) had 'purpose built' treasuries - (Durham Cathedral's is now a museum), with secure doors and locks (similar to those on strongboxes), and, these days, modern security. try googling Durham Treasury.

If the place is still a working church then there will be people around constantly - both worshippers and visitors as well as clerics and security guards.

[meiou_set]

Thanks a bunch! I'll google Durham Treasury.

[syntinen_laulu]

For an actual medieval church heist, you can't do better than research the Crown Jewels Robbery of 1303, in which Edward I's treasure was stolen from Westminster Abbey. Paul Doherty wrote a book about it , and a few years ago there was also a British TV documentary about it (presumably inspired by and based on Doherty's work) which might possibly be lurking around on YouTube or somewhere. If it is, I remember it had good footage of doors/locks/masonry of the period - I can't remember if they were the actual 'scene of the crime' at Westminster or just surviving contemporary examples. Either way, worth looking at if it's out there.

[meiou_set]

So helpful! Thank you!

[anonymous]

Have you thought about possibly researching modern day Vatican City? There is very strict security there including any visitors are required to submit their passports a day before so that they can be vetted by Interpol before being permitted access and then only under strict supervised tours. The Vatican City also has its own guards etc. This may be a place to start and offer ideas for you in terms of large scale.

Also, The Tower of London may be an idea to research as similar to the The Vatican it has its own security eg Beefeaters and also houses Crown Jewels and has a history of secure/strong rooms. This may give you ideas you can manipulate for your sci fi.

[meiou_set]

Thank you! The Vatican occurred to me after I posted, I'm going to read up a bit more. The Tower of London also sounds like a great topic to read about for this!

[anonymous]

"If the place is still a working church then there will be people around constantly - both worshippers and visitors as well as clerics and security guards. "

I think yoiu're only going to find security guards if it's a cathedral or at least a large, rich church. Most rural churches in the UK (you don't actually say where your story is set) are locked up during the week and are often targeted by burglars. Several in our area have been broken into in the last few months, and at least one lost its communion silver.

http://www.manchester.anglican.org/diocesan-advisory-committee/metal-theft

[meiou_set]

Oh, interesting! Thanks for the link!