Show Notes: The Secrets of Royston Cave

Posted on by Natalie Doig
A carving in chalk of a man with his arms raised. He is wearing a crown and his body is covered in small marks and initials carved into him.
Rave Man

Listen to the episode here on the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0ld1pgn

You can also listen wherever you get your podcasts here: https://weirdinthewade.podbean.com/

All photographs used in this post are taken by Matt Champion

Alterations to the Cave

A horse on it's side carved into chalk next to the horse is a carving of a person with a cleft in what appears to be their bottom. There's a large sword and buckler shield carved next to the firgure.
Horse and “Sheela na gig” or St Paul

Above is the horse and “sheela na gig” which was originally a horse and man, possibly depicting St Paul’s conversion to Christianity, where he fell from his horse.

Below is an image of the date which was added to the brick like tile,

What look like bricks with a date of 1347 carved into them.
The date

Visit Royston Cave

Royston Cave is open every weekend and bank holiday until September. Find out more about the cave here: https://www.roystoncave.co.uk/

If you can’t make it to the cave in person there’s a cool VR tour of the cave here: https://virtronix360.world/roystoncave/

The entrance to the cave looking along the narrow tunnel into the cave. There's a skull in an alcove on the right.
The tunnel and entry to the cave

Matt Champion

You can find out more about the work of Matt Champion here: https://eastanglia.academia.edu/matthewchampion

And if you’re interested in medieval church graffiti then do check out Matt’s book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/235636/matthew-champion

Emma Butler of the Rue Papers Podcast

Listen to the Rue Papers here: https://theruepapers.podbean.com/

Follow Emma here: https://bsky.app/profile/emmabutler.bsky.social

The First Investigators

You can find out more about the life of William Stukeley here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/stukeley_william.shtml

You can read more about Charles Parkin who got into an argument with Stukeley about the origins of the cave and it’s carvings here: https://northhertsmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Royston-Cave-and-the-Templars.pdf

Read more about the life of Joseph Beldam here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Beldam

You can also read the full text of his theories on the cave here: https://www.cantab.net/users/michael.behrend/repubs/beldam_rc/pages/prelims.html

You can read more about Sylvia Beamon here: https://www.royston-crow.co.uk/news/24319774.royston-daughter-launches-book-late-mum-sylvia-beamon/

Here’s a link to her books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Sylvia-P-Beamon/s?rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_27%3ASylvia%2BP%2BBeamon

A chalk wall covered in letters and initials and shapes.
Later graffiti added to the walls and carvings.

The History of Royston and its Crossroads

History of the town: https://www.roystontowncouncil.gov.uk/Roystons_History_32977.aspx

History of Icknield Way: https://icknieldwaytrail.org.uk/information/history-and-environment/

History of Ermine Street: https://greatnorthroad.co.uk/ermine-street

The History of the Saints depicted in the cave

A tall deeply carved figure holding a staff in their left hand and they are carrying a child on their right shoulder.
St Christopher

St Christopher: https://www.belmontabbey.org.uk/the-true-story-of-st-christopher

A carving of a woman in a long striped skirt with a cross on it holding a wheel. She has a large crown on her head.
St Catherine

St Catherine: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=341

A carving of a central figure with a deeply carved head but little in the way of features. He holds a griddle or grill in his hand.
St Lawrence

St Lawrence: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-lawrence/#:~:text=He%20was%20a%20Roman%20deacon,Prudentius%2C%20Ambrose%2C%20and%20Augustine.

Medieval Hermits

Here is some useful articles about hermits and their lives dedicated to service not necessarily solitude: https://aprilmunday.wordpress.com/2022/03/27/medieval-hermits/

https://www.winchester.ac.uk/News-and-Events/Press-Centre/Media-Articles/Simon-shines-some-light-on-the-life-of-medieval-hermits.php

There are some fantastic images here in this collection by the Welcome Trust: https://wellcomecollection.org/stories/the-hermit-life-from-medieval-to-modern

The Knights Templar

You can listen to the episode of In Our Time I recommended here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001cpwt

And the A Short History of is available here: https://www.noiser.com/short-history-of/the-knights-templar

The Knights who say Ni!

He Chose Poorly

The Curse of Oak Island

You can watch the short section of The Curse of Oak Island visit to the cave. It gives you a great idea of what the cave is like.

King James I and VI

I’m currently reading this fantastic book, Queen James by Gareth Russell: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/19/queen-james-by-gareth-russell-review-all-the-kings-men

King James in Royston: https://www.royalpalaces.com/palaces/royston/

Mother Shipton

Find out more about Mother Shipton’s Cave here: https://www.mothershipton.co.uk/

After Dark episode about Mother Shipton: https://shows.acast.com/after-dark-history-of-myths-misdeeds-the-paramormal-1/episodes/mother-shipton-tudor-prophetess-of-englands-doom

Listen to the Bell Witch Podcast episode about Mother Shipton: https://open.spotify.com/episode/44XFoj3b6AZjf564Fyi93B?si=K31qvPGpTA2uD-jn87I_cQ

Further Reading

You can read a PDF of a report by Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews for Royston Museum from July 2020 He is largely in agreement with Matt here on the age of the carvings and use of the cave.

The tunnel leading into the cave, looking away from the cave.
The Tunnel

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Published by Natalie Doig

"Science and sorcery." It's a quote from a beekeeper I saw on the TV, about how he sees the work he does keeping bees, a balance between science and sorcery. For me it also sums up my experience of life, my interests and my outlook. I love photography which is a perfect blend of science and sorcery, using light and technology to create magical images. But when I'm not taking photos you'll find me making the podcast Weird in the Wade. I'm also often to be found writing, reading, knitting, riding my mountain bike or drinking coffee watching the world go by. By day I fight for disability rights, equality and inclusion for all.

1 thought on “Show Notes: The Secrets of Royston Cave”

  1. I’ve so missed Weird in the Wade! Thanks for another fascinating episode Nat. The photos really helped especially seeing ‘Rave Man’. Heres to the next instalment, really looking forward to it.

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