In 1893 the Derbyshire Archaeological
Journal published an article by Frederick C Corfield about Codnor castle (Vol.
15 for those wishing to read the full article) with the following information
given about one of the vaults.
"When the body of the old parish church of Heanor was taken down in 1868
to be replaced by the present building, the Codnor castle vault was broken open
by the falling of one of the beams of the nave roof. The large stone covering the steps about three feet to the east of the present
font was shattered, and on its removal an inspection of the interior of the
vault was made by the rector and myself, accompanied by Mr. Woodhead, one of
the churchwardens. Here we found seventeen leaden coffins, most of which lay
side by side upon the floor, several smaller ones being placed upon them. Some
of the larger ones measured from seven feet, to seven feet four inches in length,
and upon three at least of them were what appeared to have been swords and shields
of arms, but these crumbled away as soon as touched. The vault was afterwards filled with other coffins taken from beneath the old
square pews, and lying above the present floor level, and a gravestone having
been placed over the entrance, the whole was covered with concrete"
