priest hole
Hidden clergy sanctuary
A priest hole is a secret hiding place built into older English houses, designed to conceal Catholic priests during periods of religious persecution in the 16th and 17th centuries.
These cramped spaces were cleverly concealed behind walls, under floors, or within chimneys, often constructed by specialized craftsmen.
The term now occasionally applies figuratively to any small, hidden compartment or refuge.
The tour guide showed us the priest hole behind the fireplace.
Secret place of refuge
- hideawaySecluded place of refuge
- hiding placeConcealed refuge location
- refugePlace of safety
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
shelter · covert · clandestine · disguised · invisible · obscured · camouflaged · undetectable
Religious movement splitting Christianity
- ElizabethanOf late 1500s England
- TudorSixteenth-century English ruling family
- StuartScottish-origin English dynasty
- recusantOne refusing required obedience
Jesuit · persecution · Gunpowder Plot · martyr · execution · treason · forbidden · Henry VIII
Boards covering interior walls
- bookcaseFurniture holding volumes
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
- compartmentEnclosed subdivision of space
- alcoveRecessed area in room
trapdoor · floorboard · false wall · chimney · fireplace · inglenook · staircase · wainscoting
hideout
Secret place of refuge
- hideawaySecluded place of refuge
- hiding placeConcealed refuge location
- refugePlace of safety
sanctuary · shelter · covert · clandestine · disguised · invisible · obscured · camouflaged · undetectable · escape route
Reformation
Religious movement splitting Christianity
- ElizabethanOf late 1500s England
- TudorSixteenth-century English ruling family
- StuartScottish-origin English dynasty
recusant · Jesuit · persecution · Gunpowder Plot · martyr · execution · treason · forbidden · Henry VIII · Elizabeth I
panelling
Boards covering interior walls
- bookcaseFurniture holding volumes
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
- compartmentEnclosed subdivision of space
alcove · trapdoor · floorboard · false wall · chimney · fireplace · inglenook · staircase · wainscoting · attic
Mass
Catholic worship service
- EucharistSacramental bread and wine
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
chalice · altar · clergy · Jesuit · missionary · martyrdom · papacy · Rome · confession · absolution
- hidden roomspanic room, safe room, secret passage, hidden chamber, bookcase door
- hiding placeshideout, bolthole, cubbyhole, den, safe house
- secret passagessecret passage, hidden door, hidden panel, hidden staircase, secret door
- secret stashesstash, cache, hoard, hidden compartment, secret compartment
- Hidden Faithunderground church, secret prayer, house church, coded language
- underground spacesbasement, cellar, cave, cavern, tunnel
priest holepublic square
Open urban gathering place
display room · vestibule · showroom · reception room · foyer
priest holedungeon
Subterranean prison chamber
prison cell · torture chamber · oubliette · gaol · Tower of London
priest holeChurch of England
Britain's state religion
parish church · established church · royal chapel · state church
priest, hole, priests, priestly, priesthood, priestess, holes, holed, holing