Repton

Repton is a large village in Derbyshire, England between Derby and Burton upon Trent, situated at the edge of the River Trent floodplain. It was the traditional royal burial place of the kings of Mercia, one of the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Christianity was reintroduced to the Midlands at Repton, where the Mercian royal family, under Peada, were converted to Christianity in 653. Soon a double abbey under an Abbess had been constructed. The cent... more

Repton is a large village in Derbyshire, England between Derby and Burton upon Trent, situated at the edge of the River Trent floodplain. It was the traditional royal burial place of the kings of Mercia, one of the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Christianity was reintroduced to the Midlands at Repton, where the Mercian royal family, under Peada, were converted to Christianity in 653. Soon a double abbey under an Abbess had been constructed. The centre of the village is dominated by the Church of Saint Wystan, also called Wigstan of Mercia, which is notable for its Saxon crypt. Built in the 8th century, the Repton crypt was to serve as a mausoleum for the Mercian royal family. Wigstan was a prince of Mercia who was murdered by his guardian in 850, under the reign of Wiglaf. His remains were buried in the crypt at Repton and miracles were ascribed to them. Repton proceeded to become a place of pilgrimage; Wigstan was later sanctified, and became the patron Saint of the church. Repton was... less