The Legend of Ludds Church, as told by Sir William de Lacey in 1546

The immediate followers of Wycklif, the dawning star of the Reformation as he was called, , were named Lollards. Walter de Lud-auk was one of the Luddites most zealous supporters, and the local ecclesiastical authorities sought every means to incriminate him

Walter was in the habit of repairing to the cavern in the summer months with several of his friends, where their devotional exercises could be conducted in safety.. Sometimes they made the place their abode while they spread themselves over the countryside, extending their doctrines among the peasants. Many were the searches made for them.

One fine summer afternoon the Lollards assembled to perform divine service in the cavern of Lud Church.

The assembly, fourteen in number, was ranged in a circle., having their pastor, Walter Lud-auk at the centre.. On his right stood a beautiful girl, Alice de Lud-auk, his grand-daughter. She was about eighteen years of age. Among the rare qualities she possessed was a matchless voice. Standing, or rather leaning against the cave wall at the entrance was the herculean form of the head forester.

After a short but earnest prayer from the pastor, the opening hymn began. At a certain place in the hymn the other singers stopped, and the wild bird-like strains of Alice warbled with an almost unearthly sound through the vaulted chamber, so remarkable was the compass of her voice. When her voice was at its highest pitch, and when all eyes and thoughts were engaged in devotional contemplation, a quick tramping of feet and ringing of arms were heard. Before any movement could be made, a tall and powerful man, clad in steel, rushed into the entrance, followed by others.

The voice of the singers was hushed, the man stopped short, and waving his sword cried "Yield in the name of the Church and of his Gracious Majesty King Henry."

The Lollards seized their weapons and prepared to stand on the defensive., but were commanded to desist by their pastor.

All obeyed except the forester, who, seizing the officer in his iron grasp, dashed him back with such force among his followers that they were irresistibly borne back to the entrance of the cave.Then, drawing his sword he shouted to the Lollards to escape by the other outlet while he defended the pass. One of the men fired as the forester pressed forward. The bullet whistled past his shoulder, but a loud shriek burst from behind. The forester turned around, almost afraid to trust his eyes. His foreboding was but too true; he saw the beautiful Alice, supported by her grand-father; the fatal bullet was lodged in her bosom.

Legend has it that Alice was buried close to the cave. The Lollards surrendered and were taken to London. The forester escaped and went to France, but Walter de Lud-auk died in gaol.