A Hidden Tunnel and the Martyrs

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The idea of a tunnel between St Margaret’s Church and the pub across the street, the Queen’s Head, is still up in the air. During restoration work in the 1980s it is said that a tunnel was found and sadly filled in, but I can’t find any record of that. One of the previous vicars has said she is sure the tunnel exists, but didn’t say why. Coincidentally, the burial ground for the church, also known as Lynch Green, is about 100 yards away. It was here in 1555 that three men were burned at the stake during the religious persecution of Queen ‘Bloody’ Mary. A devout Roman Catholic, she was attempting to undo the reforms of her father Henry VIII and his founding of the Church of England Over 280 died during Mary’s reign with its terror even reaching the village of Uxbridge, so maybe an escape tunnel is not too far fetched. In 1955 a memorial stone of the events of 400 years earlier was laid in the former grave yard. I spend a fair bit of time exploring London on my history quest, looks like I should also be looking a little closer to home!