2E Haunted Houses

BA RBAR A VIL L IE RS D C H ESS O F C L E VE L AN D , U . m th m z z o tu z t t r in in o e e af e W g . K 3 :2 e

HA UN T E D H O US E S

T ALES O F T HE SUPERNAT URAL

With S o me Acco unt o f H ereditary C ur s e s a n d Fa mil y Le g e n ds

By CH A RL E S G A R PE R

Ill ustr ated by the A uthor

a n ha t ohnson sa id I mer ely me to say w J . . T hat i n the cour se of some sex tho usand year s A 11 nations ha ve beli eved tha t f rom the dead A visitant at interva ls appea r s ; t s str n t u on this str a n e hea d A nd wha e a g es p g , bar the r eason rear s ’ ‘ nst such hehe s some thin str on er sh ll Gaz . “g

In its beha t those den who w ill f YRO N . lf . y

LON DON

H L T D C H A PM A N 85 A L L , .

1 907

P RE FA CE vii

lands o distant seas and amon the most un is f , g

l etter ed sava es r eli ion has been ever o und g , g f ,

as inva r ia bl th li h t this an d y e be ef in g os s . If

w er e a wor k up on the p hilosop hy of r elig ion a nd

of the sup er na tur a l (instea d of being mer ely an

a ttemp t to inter est a nd am use) it could be con

clusivel shown I have no doubt tha t a belie in y , , f

r elig ion necessita tes tha t of the existence of g hosts

a nd e e s But e m t lea tha t t vic v r a. w us ve o the

r pr ofesso s. L CHAR ES G . HARPER .

' Pxrxnsnm S R RE . , U Y

Octo ber 1907.

Go nms mms

Is r aonuc ro nr

CH A P TER I

’ H NTE P ALAcns : The T ower of Lon on—St J ames s AU D d . — P alaeo H ampton Co ur t Richmond Palace

CH APTE R II

Ri e Cas e—B es e C in o n—Littleco and the sto r pl y tl add l y l t te, y — o f Wild Darell Bisha m A bbey and Lady H oby — — W oodcroft Manor Eastbury Par k The H aunted — H ouse at Egham Dalha m H all

CHAPTER III

’ — — Spedlin s Tower Cranford P ar k H am H ouse and the D uchess of Lauder- dale

CH A PT E R IV

’ — Mannin on Ha —Dr JeSSO s G os - s or The Rec or gt ll . p h t t y t y, — — Uplyme Felbrig g H all Croglin Grange and the ’ — - V ampire The Bishop of Winchester s Ghost story — — Powis Castle Creslow Manor H ouse Ramhurst — W e llingto n The H aunted H ouse in Berkeley Square Walpole H ouse

CH A PTE R V

So n s Bron-m Is sn s cns : The Tenant of Silver-ton A bbey — — The Strange Case of Ballechin H ouse Bayhall CON TE N T S

CH APT ER VI

TALES or r un P om nao ms'rs : The Lege nd of Begg ar- t — — H ole Clough T he Cauld Lad of H ylton The Demon — Dr umm er of Tedworth T he H aunted H ouse at Sampford Peverell Button Cap at Barnack — Rectory The Epwor th Ghost

CH A PT ER VII

H O Usss wrm SKULLS AND SKULL Lsoss ns : Bur ton A gnes

— - H all Wardley H all Bettiscombe Manor house — — War bleton Priory T unstea d Far m H igher Chilton Far m

CH A PT ER VIII

FAMILY Cum s : The Mystery of Glamis Castle a nd the Ear ls of Strathmore

CH A PTER I!

FAMILY CURsns (continued) : Thom as the Rhymer and the

E rs ines Ear s of Mar - The Bra an Seer a d k , l h n the Seaforths

CH A PT ER !

F MIL Cvasns continued : The Da r m es Ear s of A Y ( ) l y pl , l — — Stair The Tichborne Family The Lambto n Worm 2 04

CH A PT ER ! I

T ar Doou o r run SAcaILno mUs : Sher borne Castle and — the Curse of King Osmond Cowdre y H o use and the — Montagues Ne wstead A bbey and the Byrons—Fyvie — — Castle Mor eton Cor bet Smithills H all and the CON TE N T S xi

CH A PTE R ! II

PAGE O m s AND WARNINGS : The R adiant Boy of Corby — ’ Castle Lor d Cas tlereagh Lo r d Lyttelto n s Warning — — — The D r ummer of Cor tachy R oslin Castle The E arls Ferrers and the Char tley Bla ck Calves

CHA PTE R ! III

— — Ca l ver ley H all Sykes Lumb Far m Samlesbur y H all H eath O ld H all

CH A PT E R ! IV

T un LUCK or EDEN H ALL

IN D E!

In sm O B ILLUS T RAT IO NS

SE PARATE P LATE S

B RB R VILLIERs D UCR Ess or CLE VEL N Fr om the A A A , A D . (

FACING PLO ! KENEINCTO N PALACE : TE E CLOCK T O WER T HE T own or LO NDO N

’ ST J Anne s P L CE . A A

T HE H A NTE G LLE R H MPTO N CO RT U D A Y, A U ’ M PENN T o e as . s n

N P L E T E E GATEKousE, RICRN O D A AC

BADDERLE T CLINTO N

BADDEsLEY CLINTO N CR UROR

Tm : H A NT E CR AN BER LIT TLECOT E U D , BIRRA II A BBEY

Woo DCRo rT MANOR

EAsTBURY

H ILLsIDE E CKAII , CO N RE BANK DALKAIr H ALL

’ Sr EDLIN s T OWE R

CRANFO RD P ARK

HAN H O UsE

MANNINCT O N H ALL FELRRIoo H ALL CRoo LIN Lo w HALL

Pom s CAsT LE xiv LIS T OF ILL US TE A TION S

FACl NG PAGE

CRESLO W MANO R - R o ver

R AN KURS T MANO R - R O USE ” TE E H UNT E H O SE BER ELE S RE A D U , K Y QUA W LPO LE H O SE CR ISWICK M LL A U , A BA LLEGBIN H O USE GREAT BAYKA LD MANO R - H O USE P EN BURY CE URCRYARD T O E B o r ME A NN WE T : S . S . ” T E E GR OST H O SE SAN PEORD P EVERE LL U , IN TH E VILLAGE o r SAN PEO RD PEVE RE LL BURTO N A GNES H ALL A NNE GRIr rIT E AND BER T wo SISTERS From the a intin . ( p g at Bur ton Ag nes) TE E WARDLEY H ALL SKULL WARDLEY H A LL BET TISCO E RE MANO R - H O US E WARBLET ON P RIO RY T UNSTEAD FARE PER H IL N CBIL N UP C TO FARE , TO CANT ELO GLAN IS CASTLE A LLO A T O WER BRAKAN CAST LE

T H E LAST or TE E SEAEO RTR S TICKBO RNE H O USE LAN RTON CAST LE T R E R UINS o r CO WDRAY H O USE N EWST EAD A BBEY FYVIE CA ST LE R UINS or MO RETO N 003 3 “ ’ ’ T a n M RT R S FOOT PRINT SN ITR ILL S H A LL A Y , CO REY CAST LE VISCO UNT CASTLE RE AGB TBO E AS SECO N BA RON L TT E LTO N , D Y ’ LO RD LYT TELTO N S WARNING (Fr om a contemp or ary p r int) CO RTACR Y CASTLE R OSLIN CASTLE LIS T OF ILL US T KA T ION S

FACING PAGE CHA RTLEY PARK R UINS or CH A RTLE Y CAS TLE CALVERLE Y H ALL SYKES L UN B FAB) ! S AILB BURY H ALL H E AT H O LD H ALL E DEN H ALL

ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TE! T

PAGE

L a H o Fr om the cra on dr awin b dy by . y g y Barnack Rectory S her borne Castle

Monumenta Br ass to Bisho W il e in Sa is ur l p yv l , l b y Cathedral

T he Luc of E en Ha l wi its Le a ern C k d l , th th ase

HA UN TE D H 0USE S

i an a di e e is a he i e aga nst y bo st of sb li f . It r tag from imm emorial ancestors which one must needs

accept . e e t e es the era of the a e But, n v r h l s, h unt d has ee on the a e e e too house long b n w n . Th r is much intellectual priggishn ess prevalent nowadays f or the fine old crusted tales Of the Moate d Grange and its Spectral inhabitants to attract more than an a e e a e as f or mus d tol r nc , things only fitting e e children . To an ag which knows so much mor a w as ea a o and e e e th n known fifty y rs g , th r for pre sum es that it has arriv ed at a complete knowledge of all there is to know in heaven and ea a r — a a e rth, t lk of Spi its is wh t mor e was the of aul to the subj ct , in words St . P , ” Greeks foolishness . e as e e e the adi a In tim s such th s , wh n tr tion l

robin on his snow - clad spray of holly has been a e the r ma ca and un b nish d from Ch ist s rd, such Christmassy things as roses and tropical flowers

are t e ea the e - ure a e of pic ur d inst d , tim hono d t l s a a e are and e ar e Christm s p rti s outworn disr g d d,

and a - a e of s the h ir r ising stori s ghost , told by e n fire e e the are no n e flick ri g b for lights lit, lo g r form a delightfully appetising prelude to the a e nor a e e the e to Christm s dinn r ; , l t r, s nd gu sts

bed w ith raw nerve s that jump at every Shadow . That kind of thin g w as worn threadbare in a nu e m an ea a o the e Christm s mb rs y y rs g , but tim is already circling round to the Old convention in a a . n a e n a e a g O ly, it is littl u fortun t th t much of the appropriate settin g of ghost stories has IN TR OD UCT OR Y

- been destroyed . There are many blood curdl ing e en e na e es a e a e een l g ds , but th ir tiv hom h v l rg ly b e e and in e a e e and d molish d , som c s s r built ; ghosts do no t very appropriately haunt houses less than a nd e m e hundred years old. Ghosts a n wly co plet d — r an a i even newlyfurn ished houses a e tip thic th ngs . e e f o r a m e a e e e n a a You r quir , od r t ly compl t i st ll

n a an - e ne - e a a e tio , m or hous , with wi c ll rs , butl r, o ld fam ily portraits (not necessarily those of your o wn am an d ou can ana e oak f ily) , if y m g old a e n and a e an in let e p n lli g t p stry h g gs ( th m , if s m t e b e be a a h e e . possi l , rr so uch b tt r Such is a mode rate specification of requirements ; but the ea a n m en now a in e e a the id l ppoi t ts , th t th s d ys

typical country house is warmed with hot - water e an d e e e and has te e pip s light d by l ctricity , l

e and in e e w a u - - ate ar e ffi u phon s , is v ry y p to d , di c lt I th i a a n m to find. n e e e e a d l h u t d hous , or Christ s

e e of - e the e me sc n ghost stori s , gu st, pri d with an e a en bed w a e e c str l horrors , w t to ith ppr h nsion ,

leaving the warm dining - room for some vast wo e e e a e a bed k e a a a b gon ch mb r, with li c t falque and hangings of a bygone ag e ; with mysterious cupboards in which a dozen fam ily skeletons mi e e and a e e e a ght r sid , with floor whos v ry bo rd i had a separate and d stinctive squeak . It would

n owadays be difficult to secure a house - party on

such te rms .

Manor o houses w e a e i us e h v st ll with , but th ir n e as a e the m a of ne umb r , comp r d with yri ds wly b in the e a a . uilt vill s suburbs , is wo fully sm ll Yo u cannot hope to find a White Lady on the H A UN TE D H O USE S

a a e a £3 0 e n an w a st irc s of hous dow W dsworth y , or a Ra diant Boy domiciled in a Brompton flat ; and an ancestral drummer who parades the e e e i a n a e not pr mis s , proph t c lly drummi g dis st r, is to be e xpected within hail of Finsbury Park . i e sad a a a e Th s is v ry , for f mily ghost is poss ssion ha e e e s en an e are e t t in th s tim , wh tiquiti s priz d , would be greatly welcomed by m any estimable

. The n ann and the ne a e ea e folk U c y I xplic bl , s t d invisible (but yet makin g their presence felt) by the ea o ne e se e e a cachet h rthst , would th m lv s giv of e e a at ea of n e en a r sp ct bility, or, l st, lo g d sc t , to domestic circle ; and so long as they did not play their ghostly parts so earn estly as to send the servants into hysterics and rende r the house unin ha a e be e e n e e bit bl , would thus priz d poss ssio s . Th r be n n e a e ea the would othi g, for x mpl , to f r from e e o r on the e a e g ntl spook spooks who, imp cc bl a of en n e e a e uthority H ry Ki gsl y , us d to sh r e en e a a e a n e r sid c of B rn ck R ctory , North mpto shir , the n e am and n a e or with Ki gsl y f ily , o ly m k its , e e en e n w e ea n th ir pr s c k o n by st rtorous br thi gs , and a and n the rustlings , scr tchings , by stroki g ea of the en w ho at a e e h ds childr , l st gr w quit ami a and na a and e f li r with, u fr id of, it us d to call it pet names 1 Ghosts of this kind are the low f h comedians o t e spirit world . It is much better to read of the breath of ” the e a as e e en n bog y in your h ir, Rob rt Louis St v so a e an eel a n ea in phr s s it, th to f th t chilli g br th m some mouldy corridor . Cold and grueso e gusts that m ay indicate open easements or a broken IN TR OD UCT OR Y

n - ane the a the n e u and wi dow p , but stir h ir of rvo s make it bristle as though the phantasmal hands of so e W e a had een run e m hit L dy b through th ir locks , are no t liked when personally experienced ; and up - to - date visitors nurse an odd prejudice against the a ta a e the n a n d rk s irc s of gobli h ll , hu g with the m e a an e o affl e so br portr its of c st rs who, ict d a a e e e a e with F mily Curs , st p out of th ir fr m s at the sound of the mid night bell .

- e a e a n e e and Ghost stori s , t l s of h u t d hous s , weird family legends lend themselves to varied Th a h treatment . e Psychical Re se rch Society as n ed e ea e n e e e and i quir v ry l rn dly i to th s subj cts , has published a number of very highly inte resting e a the z e a a ta volum s , bout si of sm ll h ys cks ; but, v e ene a the na e a e and e e are ry g r lly , m s of pl c s p opl i e and to the e e a ea e the w thh ld , so, g n r l r d r, e accounts are not particularly interesting . Oth r tales of haunted houses range from the grisly to the merely flippant ; nor is there often any firm foothold of ascertained fact to help the inquirer in hi one the n e e and e na t s, of most i t r sting pr g nt of e an a a a n d studi s . Ph t smal ppe ra ces an other unaccountable manifestations have been dismisse d

the ma e - of - a t as e e ia cre by tt r f c trick ry, hyst r , dulit or— e — as the e y, mor grossly still r sults of n e n a e een a e i dig stio ; or h v b scrib d to mists, a a and a en n e dr ughts, owls , r ts , wh t T nyson fi ly h calls t e shrieking rush of the wainscot mouse . e a e no u en een all t e e n Th y h v , do bt, oft b h s thi gs ; and e e e e but, quirk quibbl th m how you will, th r is yet more in heaven and earth than is dreamt of 6 H A UN T E D H 0USE S in and n e w e e e e in our philosophy si c b li v , w e ann re en the e rea te the though c ot comp h d , H f r, n ecessary corollary would seem to be a belief in the e s en an d the as na an e a ea e r . xi t c , occ io l pp r c , of spi its We have at least one striking instance in the Bible to support a belief in the e xiste nce of the s the ea and e en in the s t spirit of d d , v pos ibili y of summoning the m . This is to be found in the a n en a and the of f mous i cid t of S ul Witch Endor, in w hich the woman that hath a fam iliar spirit a e the e The w it a . c w as r is d ghost of S mu l , u e n h n e e s a a w e of co rs , ot i g mor or l s th n wh t u new sho ld style a medium . A book that should give an account of all the alleged Haunte d Houses and Fam ily Curse s would ne e be a w a In of c ssity ork in m ny volumes . these pages will be found a re presentative selec n : the u e a are no n e in e en e tio ho s s th t lo g r xist c ,

as n n ne m an - u e e n such Hi to Amp r or ho s , b i g generally omitted The stories range through e e e t n m t a e e to v ry mo io , fro r g dy, through com dy , farce ; and from the well authenticate d to the ab e en e the e e a a ent n solut ly d i d . But sp ci l tt io of the e a n e in the am e to sc ptic l is i vit d , F ily Curs s , the e rao a f ulfilm ents e e cer xt rdin ry of proph ci s, tainly known to have been made centuries before — the disasters foretold for prophecie s are generally — e n w oe a e to a . e e pr dictio s of c m p ss Th r is , it m a be a e an en n a e who y dd d , op i g for proph t will foretell prosperity and joy . Such an one is keenly desired ; but it may sadly be suspected that he will e not soon b found . CHAPTER I

H A UNTE D PA LA CES

’ w er of on on—S James s Pa ace— H am on our The T o L d t. l pt C t

Richmond Palace .

His house Was aun e wi a o os a s oo h t d th j lly gh t, th t h k The curtains w ine in o ies ta t at oors , h d l bb , p d , ’ A nd rummaged like a rat : no servant stay d.

T ENNYSON .

RO YAL a a e all the an n th p l c s should, by c o s of e u e na a be a e c n u n s p r tur l , h unt d . If o v lsio s of a e a e a n e e en the n tur h pp n , ccordi g to old b li f, wh ea die and if — as was e a n the a e gr t , c rt i ly c s the death of Oliver Cromwell at Hampton Court Palace and the coincidence of an exceptional sto rm were thought to have some mysterious af n be the m e e n e fi ity, it should r st commo plac to see h an en a e g osts in ci t pal ces . Som such l e en has a n t n n g d t ke root a Ke si gton Palace . It w as e e at e e the ec e o e th r th G org S ond di d , Oct b r h 2 5t 1 60. H e had ee e , 7 long b n k pt within — d o - eal t and a e e a e o rs by ill h h, h sty, chol ric p rson g h he w — t a as e . The too e e t bor it ill winds , , w r in the r a e and e a the w ong qu rt r, k pt b ck ships

ca rrying anxiously - awaite d and long - overdue e at e d sp ch s from his be loved Hanover . u it w as a n as the Th s th t, duri g his l t hours, H A UN TE D H OUSE S

n was n n a az n the n Ki g co ti u lly g i g from wi dows ,

at the eat e - ane ea n the up curious w h r v , b ri g n n e e of i a and a a co joi d cyph rs W lli m M ry, th t to this day twirls upon the cupola of the quaint tower formin g the prin cipal entrance to the l Pa ace . H e died before the win d changed ; and e sa at a a e ee still , th y y, night ghostly f c p rs from the n at a ea e - s n and a old wi dows th t w th r ig , e a a in e n Vh voic sks irrit bly, brok n E glish, y tondt day come P If one spot more than any other should be au e a a e is a e the e h nt d, th t pl c ssur dly Tow r of o n a r h e and the e L don . M ny a e t e brav tru ; an the a e and et the a e m y , too, br v y f ls , who have suff ered at the hands of the executioner on e the e a a e e een Tow r Hill, or qu lly f t ful Tow r Gr ,

e the ain e e - ad- n a outsid church of S t P t r Vi cul , — — - whose grim name Saint Peter - in - the Fette rs is so thoroughly in keeping with the history and th i the e spir t of place . But the historic personages whose lives we re ’ the ea s an axe a e cut short by h d m s , or who dr gg d o ut a long and hopeless captivity within the a e a the i e ee un m ssiv w lls of gr m fortr ss, sl p 0 s o e troubled the long sleep of centuries . N t ri s are ne e n a ane e told of An Bol y , of L dy J Gr y, of e a e e the Lord Guildford Dudl y, of R l igh, r visiting scene of their last hours on earth ; and the tales of ghostly shapes that haunt the precincts of the ’ Tower on the eve of the Sove reign s death are

e an . w ll, rom tic But the very remarkable sto ry told in 1 8 60

T O WE R GH OS TS 9

a Lenthal Sw ifte e e ee e by Edw rd , som tim K p r of the e e has e e e the a a Crown J w ls, l m nts of f nt stic and the horrible which leave the ordinary ghost Swift e e ea e to f r . e story a behind . Mr n v r c s d believe in the supernatural character of the in explicable occurrence he narrates . ” a e e se he sa to ea e I h v oft n purpo d, ys, l v behind m e a faithf ul record of all I personally

r - ee ea know of this strange story . Fo ty thr y rs a e as e and e is as i i h v p s d, its impr ssion v v dly r en before m e as on the moment of its occur ce . In 1 8 1 4 I was appointed Keeper of the w ewe the e e e e e Cro n J ls in Tow r, wh r I r sid d e e en in 1 8 52 with my family til l my r tir m t . O ne a a in o e 1 8 1 a the S turd y night Oct b r 7, bout ’ W r w as at e f e itching hou , I supp r with my wi , her i e and e in the i - oo s st r, our littl boy, sitt ng r m ! of the e e e — e c ara e J w l Hous , which th n omp tiv ly — moderniz ed is said to have been the doleful i n nne e n and the ten pr so of A Bol y , of bishops whom Oliver Cromw ell piously accommodated t e e n an a c u a e e the locus h r i . For c r t pictur of in ua e e a e e r e e n q my sc n is l id, I r f to G org Cr ik ’ ’ an 3 8 4 sh k s woodcut in p . of Ainsworth s Tow er — — of L ondo n. The room was as it still is ir e ar a e ha n ee and r gul ly sh p d , vi g thr doors two n hi a ar e nea wi dows, w ch l st cut rly nine fee t deep into the outer wall ; between these the re

a m e - e e e t n f ar n to the is chi n y pi c proj c i g i room, and e am e a a e (th n) ount d with l rg oil picture . O n the n in e n the o ight qu stio , d ors were all

In the Mar in T o wer t . t o H A UN TE D H O USE S

e ea and a u a n w e e let clos d, h vy d rk cloth c rt i s r e the and the n down ov r windows, o ly light in the w as a tw o a e on he a room th t of c ndl s t t ble . a e at the o the a e son on I s t fo t of t bl , my my a his e the ne right h nd , moth r fronting chim y e e and her e the e e had pi c , sist r on opposit sid . I ff e e a a ne and a e e o r d gl ss of wi w t r to my wif , en on her she a e and wh , putting it to lips , p us d, e a e o I a a P e xcl im d , G od God wh t is th t I look d and saw a n a e e a a e up cyli dric l figur , lik gl ss tub , ee n ! a the ne arm and s mi g y bout thick ss of my , hovering between the ceiling and the table ; its n ent a ea e to be a en e h e and co t s pp r d d s fluid, w it a e a e e the a e n a e p l zur , lik g th ri g of summ r cloud , and n e an n n w n the n e i c ss tly mi gli g ithi cyli d r . a e a n e e e a This l st d bout two mi ut s , wh n it b g n

to e e e e - in - law e slowly mov b for my sist r ; th n , n the n a e the a e be or e followi g oblo g sh p of t bl , f and el a n behin d e my son mys f ; p ssi g my wif , it paused for a moment over her right shoulder e e e e w as no o e to her (obs rv , th r mirr r opposit in she he n n which could t re behold it) . I sta tly she e n and han e n crouch d dow , with both ds cov ri g her e she e e should r, shri k d out, O Christ ! it has e e m e 1 en now e r n s iz d Ev , whil w iti g, I

e a en a fe l the fresh horror of th t mom t . I c ught a at the a n e n her up my ch ir , struck w i scot b hi d , ’ s e a the e and ru h d upst irs to childr n s room, told t h n ea the errified n urse what I ad see . M n e the e e had e n the whil , oth r dom stics hurri d i to a e e e e e n e e the p rlour, wh r th ir mistr ss r cou t d to th m ”

ene e en as w as e a a e ta . sc , v I d t iling it bov s irs

S CE P T! CISM r I

The a a e ns en i to e e e comp r tiv i sib lity , or r c ptiv e en ena n e n ss of, ph om of this ki d , which divid s human being s into matter - of - fact people an d in to the class from which spiritualistic e e e e st a e e e m diums m rg , is illu r t d h r by ’ Sw if h n Mr . te s statement that althoug h e a d

w e s n saw i n ann s a e his if di ti ctly th s u c y h p ,

e his - - w n e e neith r sister in la no r his so b h ld it . e w f n Sc pticism m et Mr . S i te at every tur w en he o to ne t n and the h t ld his s ry x morni g , “ ha a n him one e n c pl i put it to , if p rso might

‘ not ha e his na a sense e e B one v tur l s d c ived And if , w hy might not two ! A very dangerous argument a n e e n ea n e a for mi ist r of r ligio , d li g prof ssion lly with the supernatural (w hich is the basis of re n t e in nd Swif e o n a . te ligio ) , i dulg ; Mr v ry er en an e e two not p tin tly sw r d , If , why two — thousand P an argument which would reduce

e a a e a a le . history, s cul r or s cr d , to f b ” a a n he n e e e Our ch pl i , co tinu d , sugg st d the possibilitie s of some foolery having been ntr e at n and e the i omitt d my wi dows , propos d i a en en n e e e vis t of sci tific fri d, who mi ut ly insp ct d the a and a e the e n e st a n p rlour, m d clos st i v ig tio , ” u not in an w a e the e but co ld y y solv myst ry . H e sugge sted that if he were allowed to bring his scientific apparatus and place it upon the a e he an on the a nea t bl , or if could pl t it w lls r the i and a e the a n a e he w ndow , h v curt i s r is d , could produce a similar illusion ; but he did not undertake to reproduce it under the conditions hic a o a e its al a ea a e w h cc mp ni d origin pp r nc , nor UN TE D sic USE S

did he go so f ar as to explain how an illusion could produce the physical se nsation of seizin g o n th u e by e sho lde r. w as ue s Swifte an a . e a It tr , Mr c didly r m rks , a a f ew a e e e u a e th t, d ys b for , som yo ng l di s residing in the Tower had been producin g appa ene no one e e e a e riti , but v r xpl in d how it could be possible for them to introduce anything of the kind into the room where this extraordinary occurrence took place and the mystery remaine d a e myst ry . h Mr . Swifts further recounts t e story of a singular incident that took place a f ew days after own e r e en O ne the n h his t r ibl experi ce . of ig t e e at the ew e O flice a man w as in s ntri s J l , who e e ea and and w as n n and p rf ct h lth spirits , si gi g hi to the en the e e w stling up mom t of occurr nc , was alarmed by a figure like a huge bear issuin g n e the e e o H at from u d r J w l R om door . e thrust his a ne the e e it with b yo t , which stuck in door , v n as my chair had dinted the wainscot ; he dropped in a and w as a ie en e e the a fit , c rr d s s l ss to gu rd

room . When on the morrow I saw the unfortunate

e in the a n a - e - en ne soldi r m i gu rd room , his f llow s ti l w as a e e and e e a n een him at lso th r , t stifi d to h vi g s his e e the a a a ak e and a e t post just b for l rm , w l r , and h en saw the unf o r ad ev spoken to him . I tunate m an a a n on the n da g i followi g y, but changed beyond my re cognition ; in another day the a e an d ea e or two , br v st dy soldi r, who would ha e u e a ea led a e v mo nt d br ch, or forlorn hop

1 4 E A UN TE D H OUSE S

ade the e had ee cold sh of obscurity , wom n , who b n m e en e a e a e e o an n in so s s riv ls , b c m clos c mp io s , and their conversation often dwelt upon the future e and the of the t the ea lif , possibility spiri s of d d n d r e commu icating with surviving frien s . This sulted e en e n a c ac t a in th ir t ri g into omp th t, e e of the t die if who v r two should firs should , e a e her e and n m possibl , communic t with fri nd i for h er of her condition in the other world . In At last the Duche ss of Maz arin died . he r a e she w as e e a am e l st illn ss , r mind d by M d De ea a of t e a se B ucl ir h ir comp ct, which in tho last solemn mom ents w as duly ratified ; and t e e e ea the a e h r , for som y rs , story h lt d . No m essage came to Madam e D e Beauclair from the othe r side ; and she gre w a thorough sceptic in all hi u e na a e in t ngs s p r tur l , b coming highly dig nant with those who diff ered from her in e thes matters . Some months afte r a heated argument with a a on e a e a a a e l dy this subj ct , s rv nt from M d m De Beauclair calle d hurriedly upon the lady in question and stated that his m istress entreate d her e at n e a d n a she e e e e to com o c , d i g th t if d sir d v r to see Madame ag ain in this world she must not a del y . The ad ff e n a e e e and l y, su ri g from s v r cold , hearing from the servant that Madame De Beau a a ea e be ea e a e cl ir pp r d to in good h lth , h sit t d to comply ; but presently received a still more urgent e a e a an e i e en e m ss g , ccomp i d by such conv ncing vid c of the seriousness of aff air s as the gift of a

MAD AME D E BE A UCLAIR 1 5 jewel - case containing all Madame D e Beauclai r s jewellery . ’ h u e a e a a e T e lady h rri d to St . J m s s P l c forth a a e a e e a a e a with , ccomp ni d by g ntl m n , who ft rw rds he narrated t story . ada e De ea a a e a e f ew M m B ucl ir , ft r v ry intro ducto r e a a a a en y words , told th m th t, lthough pp r tly in the e ea she a e f ew b st of h lth, would in v ry hours have passed from this life into that other existence h h h w hose reality s e ad once doubted . S e had seen the e e of her e a e e the es sp ctr d p rt d fri nd , Duch s of az ar M in . e e e she e e e n I p rc iv d not how nt r d ; but, tur ing e e a e o ne the o saw my y s tow rds yond r c r r of r om , I her n the a e and a as e sta ding in s m form h bit in lif . ai u a e en had not the e F n wo ld I h v spok , but pow r e n th of utterance . She took a littl circuit rou d e a e see a e to m an a e ch mb r, ming r th r swi th w lk ; th n e e e a n a e and n at stopp d b sid th t I di n ch st, , looki g ’ me her a ee e ea a a with usu l sw tn ss , B ucl ir, s id ‘ she e een the e e and one to - , b tw hours of tw lv night ’ you will be with m e . At the time when Madame D e Beauclair to ld ’ her s r w s e n w e to y it a clos upo t elve o clock . Thos present tried to assure her that there was nothing of an s a e in her n but e had y ignific nc visio , th y scarce begun to speak w hen the clock struck

e e . She e a e ! am at ea tw lv xcl im d , Oh I sick h rt, and al she a ea to be ff e n , though did not pp r su ri g r a n e w an e a se . f om y known ilm t, gr r pidly wor he r en . a a an a e e Mrs W rd , tt d t, ppli d som drops , but w u eff e and a t a an she e itho t ct, in bou h lf hour di d , 1 6 H A UN TE D H O USE S e a as the a a had x ctly pp rition foretold . It w as “ a e in n a a a e De ea a st t d , co clusion , th t M d m B ucl ir w as e e a u no r e n ith r v po rish sup rstitious . But Hampton Court Palace is richest of all the R a a a e e and the old oy l p l c s in ghost stori s , con tinuity of them and the constant s uccession of people who have seen a som ethink must strike even the most sceptical as sin gularities worth n t a n h n n i ves ig ting . Starti g with t e co cessio of a e e e e e e eas n b li f in ghosts, th r is v ry r o why

a o be a e . e H mpt n Court should h unt d Wols y, the a na a and proud C rdi l who origin lly built it, was impelled by the instinct of self - pre servation to make a present of his great palace to H enry the the e e a n the e an e Eighth , in hop of r g ini g str g d aff e n a e e ta n aun ctio s of his m st r, should c r i ly h t a n the a ene e a this , mo g l st sc s of his brok n mbition ; and the e a a een e spirits of c rt in unh ppy Qu s , wiv s ” in e n the e na e succ ssio of prof ssio l widow r, should with equal certainty trouble the mid e If w e m a e e en e to night gall ries . y giv cr d c

- of t e ea e a e e . one has e e r p t d t l s , th y do No v r a m e to a e een the the a a cl i d h v s form of C rdin l , and not even that most unhappy Anne Boleyn has been observed ; but the ghosts of Jane Seymour and of Katharine Howard are reporte d to be e uen s s ane e fr q t vi itor . J S ymour , who by crafty intrigue supplanted her Queen and forme r e in the an e aff e n en and mistr ss d g rous ctio s of H ry, e t a e a ea ate a t e in di d ul im t ly , y r l r, is s id , clo h d ’ i e a the een a a en wh t , to w lk forth from Qu s p rtm ts, in a e ta e and to e a ate the carry g light d p r, p r mbul H AMP T ON CO UR T 1 7

a r and the e a e An d st i s Silv r Stick G ll ry . this , although no expense w as spare d at her funeral ; one thousand two hundred masses being paid for to ensure the repose of her soul . Possibly the number w as not s ufficient to expiate the treachery

he x - f - of t e Maid o Honour . The spirit of Queen Katharine Howard is more n ee and a e the e e the a e e u s mly, w k s cho s of g ll ri s with her shrieks ; even as she did in that last h r o a e sad scene of e life here . Hist ri ns t ll how a a e the f e en the K th rin , fi th wif of H ry Eighth, was s e a e n e a e in the a a e udd nly pl c d u d r rr st P l c , but escaped from her guards and ran along the a e to the a e in the n w as en g ll ry Ch p l , which Ki g th the a e hearing mass . She had reached Ch p l door w e n the e en the a n e o e and h y om of gu rd i t rp s d, , e z i her e her a eam n her s i ng , hurri d b ck, scr i g, to ar e hi e the a the n r st ; w l King , lthough sou d of he r a e a n w as ear ea in the a e l m nt tio s cl ly h rd Ch p l , a e n m d no sig . ’ Most of the victims of Henry s political and connubial quarrels ended with a noble dignity ; — but this unf ortunate girl she w as only in her twentieth year when she w as beheaded on Tower Hill in 1 54 2 could not give up the beautiful world around her and contemplate death by the ’ headsman s axe with that pro ud philosophy ; and e and e strov flutter d pitifully in her gilded ca ge . The a nte a e r as it has en been H u d G ll y , oft t e o f a e ears w as a n e se s yl d l t y , for lo g p riod u d

as a e - e e m t - eate n ta e es lumb r room , wh r o h p stri , t e out e ai and ve e a a t e of pic ur s of r p r, t r n r icl s 3 1 8 HA UNTED H O USE S

n e e e - ea en e e to ed fur itur , hop l ssly worm t , w r s r but the Office of Works at last cleared out the e e ta e the e a e lumb r, dis s blish d imm mori l cobw bs , e the e a and e and a e stopp d hol s of r ts mic , , ft r e a n the a e ene to thoroughly r nov ti g G ll ry, op d it

the on 1 st 1 905 : a n an a e public April , sig ific t d t , e i sa not e e i thos w ll y who do b liev n ghosts . Nothing has been heard or seen of the unquiet spir it of Queen Katharine Howard since that

- ea n The ili he t n . e m eu t a a spring cl ni g prop r , r ditio l e t n e and eca has een e e s t i g of myst ry d y , b d stroy d , and it is certainly too much to expect a sixteenth century ghost of delicate susceptibilities to pervade a a en ee n ne a e a n t p rtm ts r ki g of wly ppli d p i t, pu ty, and a n v r ish . It be a a ne Law should s id th t Mr . Er st , who ea a o a e a e a u a t n y rs g m d sp ci l st dy of H mp o Court, believes neither in ghosts in general nor in the e e a ha t n e sp ci l bi u! s of this a cient Palace . Int r e e as the e a e all t e e to vi w d, p rson bov o h rs lik ly ea a on the e he was sp k with uthority subj ct, dis a n a e - of - H e a ppoi tingly m tt r fact . s id I am often accused of having originated the

. e a n en e an a e ghosts C rt i ly, wh I first b g , sc rc ly an one e e e en e and e e e y kn w of th ir xist c , th y w r not recognized with the unanim ity they deserve as e e e m t n o ne m an w ho th y now ar . I hav e o ly had ever actually seen any of the Palace spectres ; he w as a en w as en e his s try, who fright d out of t a an in a n r e e wi s by wom flowi g ob of whit , who to ok a mean advantage by vanishin g when he n nf u ate he not e challe ged her . U ort n ly did r cog

H A UN TE D H O USE S

ne and a e a an e e sto s , wok thous d hollow cho s in the n ne a a n - had mid ight still ss . D rk r i clouds

e e the n and e an n a. ea v il d moo , b g to pour dow st dy e a e e ea the n drizzl , which p tt r d dr rily on grou d . A slight fitf ul breeze moaned weir dly down the n s n n e e e n lo g corridors . Our urrou di gs w r c rtai ly as to n e one e e ee n such i spir with gru som f li gs . a and a n the a e e and a e T ll g u t, m ssiv tow rs g bl s stood out against the chequered sky and threw n h gloomy unce rtain shadows about us . Not a ot er w e The e e a e n i a soul did meet . xagg r t d o se of scrap of paper caught by a sudden gust and a n h ne a t e hurtling lo g t e sto fl gs star l d us both . e en w e e at a the Pr s tly stopp d door ; drip , drip , of the rain and the sighing of the wind only inten ifi the e L s ed e e e . aw oppr ssiv sil nc , which Mr n sudde ly broke . ea the aun e a e e e This l ds to H t d G ll ry , wh r a a i e a is e to a K th r n How rd suppos d prowl bout, ’ i n n he e o as sa . shri k ng, ights such this, id His k e a e in the the ea o ane on y gr t d lock, h vy d or gro d its e and en e n a hing s, th shut b hi d us with mighty bang that went echoing and r e - echoing down the interminable dusky galleries and sent a shiver ’ — r ne a . w as a n a th ough o s m rrow It d rk i ky d rk, until the eyes got accustomed to a faint glimmer

ee - e the e struggling through p p hol s in shutt rs . Following my guide as best I could up bro ad a a e t a m s n st irc s s , hrough v st cold roo , down lo g as a e all and e and a w e ca e at p s g s , still w ird d rk , m en e e e w e length to an ormous apartm nt . H r ’ L w n are a . a and his e , s id Mr , words w nt ri g ing

IN TH E H A UN TE D GA LLE R Y 2 :

n the an a e in nen n e e rou d gi t ch mb r u di g cho s, though his voice sounded thin and small in the in the hi i e as e . s mpty v tn ss Groping gloom , nti mate knowledge oi the place enabled him to find an - a e - e e he old world c n bottom d b nch , which dr agged with a harsh grating sound to where I en he n the n stood . Th cautiously u did oisy shutters one and the ea n bar n of window, gr t iro swu g a a a and a mi e a a n b ck with loud cl ng, d tt d f i t The ene s streak of light . sc outside w a dismal and e —a a ai - a e e in w ird n rrow r n so k d court, cloth d deep shadows and surrounded by high walls with u e a e e e n h g bl ck glitt ring y s of wi dows . Above were dusky streaks of clouds hurrying over the d a n h sky an hiding ever and no t e moon . We sat n Law e n d e . a dow a wait d Mr . b g n to tell his

- th - h st e . e e a n sw g o stori s Drip, drip , w nt r i ; ough , s- - sw i h a th n an e e s e g mo ned e wi d . Str g Dutch fac s stared out of the gloom and fixed us with their eyes from their som bre backgrounds and old n a on he All fashio ed fr mes t opposite wall . e lse w in e as lost darkn ss . ’ a e w e e e Mr . L w s voic , dro n d in its own cho s, e the a a the e e e e continu d n rr tion of sp ctr l g nds . en a e the n the ra and Sudd ly, bov sou d of in wind, e e a e to cars a oa th r c m our long low m n , which Law a e and e . . e We ros f ll Mr stopp d bruptly . he star te d to our feet . T moan w as succeeded by — a e e e n e e a n z n . noth r loud r, mor prolo g d , mor g o i i g e e e a e r e en It gr w in int nsity, ros to hid ous sh i k , th n oan g radually died away agai to a low wailing gr . r e we s r e h and u — a Sh i k follo d h i k , s rill lo d hum n , H A UN TE D H O USE S

u a as a a in e et horribly h m n, of wom n tortur , y ea th and e e . r an un r ly gru som My blood cold . The n e ea e and e a u en sou ds gr w n r r mor wf l . Th nc w e ea e e ai and disti tly h rd footst ps , slow, unc rt n , fflin T e a a Th u e . e e e shu g . h y ppro ch d shri ks so nd d i n e at a . a i n e clos h nd A cl nk ng ji gl ng sou d , lik

a a n a e car s at ea a . r ttling ch i s , j rr d on our ch footf ll We heard the door at the f ar end of the gallery ate a n e and a an e gr b ck upo its hing s , str g glow of in the a e ea e a e e as a light doorw y r v l d bow d figur , shriek more piercing than the rest made us both

. Law a e ra Th e . e start . Mr w lk d b v ly forward e figure stood motionl ss . Then I heard my com an n at the f ar end the ad e p io of corridor dr ss it . a a e e n Blundle Why , h llo good v ni g , ’

n Law . a am n . Good eve in Mr . N sty d p ight ’ I wonders you isn t af eerd o the rhum atis. I ’ ’ ’ be a e ere be abe wouldn t s ttin if I could d , I ’ n k ow . ’ I m looking for ghosts with a friend . We e e one But a w as all a thought you w r . wh t th t ’ shrieking just now ! ’ i f ’ It w as on y them n arnal cats . had e a no w and ne in a I com forw rd , joi d hearty laugh at our o wn expense as the old night watchman shuffled off w ith his j angling keys and n his glimmering lanter . e a a c a a ne a W ll , th t c ounts for K th ri How rd , ’ ’ at an a e e et a u e y r t ! L t s g b ck to my ho s , it s ’ w e e e to wretchedly cold here . And r turn d ’ t e e e the ar Mr . Law s apar m nts, wh r , in w m ”

- dining room he concluded his tales . MRS E N N 2 . P 3

But the se queenly wraiths are mere rumours compared with the remarkable tales to ld of the

e e en e - the ghost of Mistr ss Sib ll P n , fost r mo r to ’ ane e in e a a e a J S ymour s son , Pr c Edw rd ( ft rw rds a the She w as a n e e Edw rd Sixth) . ppoi t d nurs to the n e in e 1 53 8 a ea a e the Pri c Octob r , y r ft r ea his e enn w as e e d th of moth r . Mrs . P so d vot d

a foster - mother that she w as in high favour t the his at e and en the e wi h King , f h r ; wh Princ e and in n e a e n she w as gr w up, tur b c m Ki g , one of the personag es held in foremost con era at H e e of n n sid tion Court . di d co sumptio , in 1 553 a d e s een ea n . , in his ixt th y r, Mrs P nn was left as bereaved almost as if she were his e a en e e a e wa a e moth r . Ap rtm ts w r ft r rds llott d to her at H a and e e she e mpton Court, th r di d ,

- r an a a a o x e e 6th 1 562 . f om tt ck of sm ll p , Nov mb r , She w as buried in the old church of Hampton

on - a e and an i n e the Th m s , impos ng mo um nt in r In 1 8 2 9 taste of that ag e w as erected to he . the o ld w as e e e and church ruthl ssly d molish d , the ese st u e a n en to the e a e pr nt r ctur , mo um t d b s d ar e a a t e the e was ea e in chit ctur l pr c ic of tim , r r d ea the e a e e e en e t n n its st d . In whol s l irr v r t ov r ur i g e e e n the a e of v rything, during this r buildi g , gr v of Mrs. Penn was rifle d and he r memorial e e e ac e e en a the e n a e r mov d, b ing pl d v tu lly in tr nc the e en n The ac a lobby of pr s t buildi g . comp nying u ra n e ea a ill st tio will show, mor cl rly th n words can e a a the en e xpl in , wh t monum t is lik ; but it is impossible to show on so sm all a scale the e a e a in the uai long m tric l pit ph which, q ntly 2 4 H A UN TE D H O USE S e e z a e a e a e e loqu nt Eli b th n styl of mortu ry v rs , narrates her m any virtues

P en er e is r ou to ome the ace of on a o e h b ght h , pl l g b d

Where ver tu guided hathe her shippe into the quyet rode . A m r r r of her t me for er ues of the m nde y o y , v t y A m a rone suc e as in her a es the e w as er to find t h d y lik h d . N o an of ser e s oc e a H a m en disce nt pl t vil t k , pd by V nto w ose r ace 3 00 eres ba e f r endl o r une en . h y , th y f t l t T o Cour e she ca e w as to os e r v a Kin e t ll d , f t p g W ose e n an o n lin r in svtes to s edie e nd did h h lpi g h d, l g g g p rin b g .

T woo uenes a sce er are a e cred t t to t is ame q th t pt b , g v y h d Fu man e eres in Co ur she w e wi o u dis race o r ll y y t d lt, th t g ame bl . N 0 ouse ne w or wealthe on sar e she did re erde h ldly , th g ' Be or e eche o e ea and her e her P rince s ea r e a rd f j y , y lif , h lth p f ; W ose o n a n o al o e wi ski u ca re to ser e h l g l y l l v , th lf l v , ’ Was s ob as did thro v h ea en e her Pr nce s a n ee v g h v ly h lp, i th k eser e d v . Woo e Go d the ro vnd w ere r a e w i rees of svche e i ld g g ft , th t d l ght , T a e ra n o f r vctf vll la es m find vst ca vs to h t id ll b i es f p nt , ight j writ A s I a e l ed m en to raise is P en wit all h v p y y p , p th h , h e her ca W o o entom e in is ra e va till the rom . ly th b d th g v , t p ll

T s r estin e ace beholde no svb ect lace to a e hi g pl , j p b l ,

- To w ic e r orce e lokers o n o vr fletin e bod es s a e . h h , p f , y , y g y h l

T rs enn w as sa e an he s M . gho t of P , it id , b g to haunt her o ld rooms at the Palace v ery soon after her grave at Hampton Church had been i e un as one n a d sturb d . Odd so ds , of worki g

n in - ee e e ea the n as spi n g wh l , w r h rd , with sou d e e n e e the of a p rson mutt ri g to h rs lf, through

w all of a large room in the south - we st w in g of the a a e and ea e n m a e l n P l c ; , on s rch b i g d , fo lowi g t t e e e a a e n e an en i e a. repor of h s r m rk bl ois s , t r ly

A DIS CO VE R Y . 2 5

en w as e e w as forgott room discov r d , in which

n an a e nn n - ee e e fou d nci nt spi i g wh l , tog th r with

e and e . The oak n w as oth r odds nds floori g , it a was a a e e the ea e of the s id , worn w y wh r tr dl

- h e the a spinning w eel touch d bo rds . an eo e a e at one i e an e M y p pl h v , t m or oth r, e h s w th b lieved t ey a e ghost of Mrs . Penn ; and ta e are new e e at the a a e l s told of r sid nts P l c , who could not have been familiar with the num e am on e n the mo nt in H pt Church , d scribi g form they saw dressed in a long straight robe

and e - fittin ea - e e a as the with clos g h d dr ss , x ctly ffi of Mrs e n e e e e e on her . gy . P n is r pr s nt d tomb La e the e the a e a a t in sixti s of l st c ntury, l dy e a u e a a e the a a e who occupi d s it of p rtm nts in P l c , the e a e in the as has fin st lmshous world , it een a e a u e her e a sh w as b c ll d , ss r d fri nds th t e frequently troubled by the rappings made by e e in w a e e e two invisibl b ings , who this y x rcis d n the a e her She om upo p n lling of rooms . c a ne the o a e a n and the pl i d to L rd Ch mb rl i , Lord Chamberlain passed o n the complaint to the f e w the e a due e O fic of Works , ith r sult th t in cours , afte r the matter had circulated through the re e n e e a e she was n e quisit umb r of d p rtm nts , i form d that the jurisdiction of the First Commissioner the The did not extend into spirit world . sequel is s 1 8 1 en m e e e a n n u a . e a i g l r In 7 , wh work n w r xc v ti g the e or e e wa of u a in cloist r cov r d y Fo nt in Court, ’ ea e the en an e to ad m n rly opposit tr c this l y s roo s , m a e e n e e n e e at a e two hu n sk l to s w r u cov r d , d pth n a t e of about tw o feet be e th he pav ment . It 2 6 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

w as supposed that they were the re mains of two e the m e of a the soldi rs of ti Willi m Third , but it does not appear what was the evidence that led to Th e a n e e this supposition . e r m i s w r e e to H a n a but e e r mov d mpto churchy rd , wh th r the a n ea e not s e r ppi gs c s d forthwith is tat d . As recently as February 1907 the ghostly reputation of the Palace came again before the n in the e te a en e of a public mi d, r por d dv tur e constable of the Metropolitan Police . A polic m an one u not ea be e , thinks , sho ld r dily convinc d H is t e en e of ghostly manifestations . du i s r d r

all m en a e - of - a and e a him, of , m tt r f ct sc ptic l . ere n ee a a en n in the e Th is , i d d , l t t cy icism polic ; s he a a and n a . t m body, i dividu lly For ost h u n of a e a ou not t oro ghgoi g m t ri lists , y think , un eas na to ee e u in ei r o bly , s k most hop f lly th r

- un an an . ear s n rom tic r ks Y of ight duty , of a the m n ee of n n p trolling id ight str ts , tryi g fro t

and a ea- a e e a n n en m en doors r g t s , of p rsu di g dru k to e e and of as n an e a go hom qui tly , fl hi g xplor tory ’ - e e nt a ase en a e ac a n e bull s y i o d rkling b m ts, h v qu i t d the Force with nothing more supernatural than ’ a In all at e the n a e ea s burgl rs . th whil co st bl s r have bee n assailed by nothing more awful than the e n na a e en e y lls of octur l c ts , loqu t with lov and ea e e n e are f en to j lousy , whos d mo cri s su fici t disgust the most dreadful ghost of rom ance with h s eff i own poor orts .

Yet it w as a police - consta ble who flushed a w hole covey of ghosts at Hampton Court Palace on a night of Februa ry 1 907 ; and not a young TH E VE R Y LA TE S T 3 7

em 2 65 a e e . a a ea polic n , ith r T . (for th t pp rs to have been his style and title) had over twenty ’ ea e er en e of am n the n ea y rs xp i c tr pi g mid ight b t ,

at the e a n ee - e - an - a and r gul tio thr mil s hour g it, if e e be an a m an m e an th r y cl ss of who, or th ’ an e n a a be a e oth r, k ows wh t s wh t, it should polic ’ constable with twenty years service at the back

of him Yet 2 65 . saw and e . T ghosts mor , a an an i m an has een as e e prob bly, th y l ving s s mbl d o e e o n an one ca n e he a e t g th r y oc sio . Bri fly, st t d t a e a ne the e the h t, whil st tio d in pr cincts of a a e a n he saw a of e P l c , bout mid ight, group figur s n o a him a n one the a and comi g t w rds lo g of w lks , that when they had advance d to within nine a of e e he w as an n the e a y rds wh r st di g, whol p rty

vanished. t i a i a he a e On h s p rt cul r night, s id , I w nt on duty at the east front of the Palace at ten ’ ’ c and had to em a e e six o clo k , r in th r until o clock ne was e a e and w as a n xt morning . I quit lon , st ndi g to the a n ate n wa the e close m i g s, looki g to rds Hom a e en e a e n of a P rk , wh n sudd ly I b c m co scious group of figures moving towards m e along what i n th i s k own as e Ditto n Walk . It s a most unusual thing to see any one in the gardens at ha t e of n u a e a t t im ight, but I tho ght it prob bl th t some of the residents in the Palace had been to a a at o and e e e u on p rty Ditt n, w r r t rning foot . The par ty consiste d of two gentlemen in evening e dr ss a nd seven or nine ladies . There were no sounds except what resembled the rustling of e a a dresses . When th y reached point bout a 2 8 H A UN T E D H O USE S

doze n yards from m e I turne d round and opene d the a e l t em i Th e n . e a t e e g t s to th p r y, how v r, a te e e u e and ea e the e t n l r d th ir co rs , h d d in dir c io the e Ga e the the of Flow r Pot t s , to north of a en the a e e e e w as a en g rd s . At s m tim th r sudd m ove m ent amongst the group they fell into e i a e ee the en e en proc ss on l ord r, two d p , with g tl m

at the ea . en to m e a a e en h d Th , y utt r m z m t, the e w e a s e m e e as whol cro d of th m v ni h d ; lt d , it see e to m e the air a ene m d , into . All this h pp d in n ne a w e e w as s a n in the with i y rds of h r I t ndi g, centre of the broad gravel walk in front of the

a ace . e the s e and P l I rush d to pot, look d up down , but could see nothing or hear nothing to explain h ” t e mystery .

e - n a e e e ce i a es Most polic co st bl s , in th s s pt c l tim , e e e a ise di e and sa n n would x rcis w scr tion , y othi g a i the a t are as a te of such s ght ; but, if f c s st d ,

2 65 T . e ea n the a e , v ry gr tly riski g d ng rs of e n an un u a n e a a ed a r porti g such su l i cid nt, n rr t wh t

he had ee and e am e at n e a a a e . s n, b c o c public ch r ct r There are very many visitors daily to Ham pton in e e e and the e e da the Court th s tim s , v ry n xt y

ai n the a 2 65 . e an . b ti g, or m rtyrdom, of T b g a s e e ve and e Spiritu lists , di b li rs in ghosts , idl e e all n wan e to n all da a nd p opl of ki ds , t d k ow y, f n a the s the a e the or ma y d ys, right of m tt r ; but constable bearing that divisional letter and n umber T he e n e an e of . o t prof ssed entire ig nor c it qu stio , ” Were yo u not the constable who saw the ghosts ! n and e a he returned an unfaili g mph tic No, and to all inquiries as to their number and their P H A N T ASM OF TH E LIVIN G 2 9

’ e he n a a ans e ed n and dr ss i v ri bly w r , I don t k ow , , ’ ’ ” w a e a e h t s mor , I don t c r . e e w e a e ask a e a H r p us , to , with Pil t , Wh t is u a n and the ee e tr th P Prob bly visio s , s rs of th m , are s a t am n a di co ur ged a H pto Police St tion . a e een i a e who n and T l s of Qu El z b th, , livi g ea has e e een the s e of an a e e d d , v r b ubj ct sc d l , w r once frequently told (and believed) in connection ueen a e e with Richmond Palace . Q Eliz b th di d ’ in the old Palace of Richmond at three o clock in th n e a 2 4th 1 603 . a morni g of M rch , For d ys she had a n e e at the of ea in a l i th r , point d th, n stupor : and so ended that glorious reig . A a e w as at the e and has een curious t l told tim , b an e at a a e the duly h d d down, th ghostly sh p of great queen w as seen pac ing the rooms of the e she et la e e a e uncon Palace whil y y th r liv , but s is a ran e and the sciou . It st g story, worthy en m na attention of those interested in psychic ph o e . Sto ries told in afte r years of the old Gatehouse and other f e w remn an ts of the Palace being have a e o e ed e a n e . h u t d, now fin lly b c m discr it d CHAPTER II

e le — addes e nto n—Littlecote and the sto r of Ripl y Cast B l y Cli , y — — ' Wild DarelI Bisham Abbey and Lady Ho by Woodcro lt

— — u Mano r Eastbury Park The Haunted H o use at Eg ham

Dalbam H all .

To tell of all the reputedly haunted houses would be the a e e and w ear work of lif tim , would gro w i m e the ea e in ene a a e has so to r d r ; for, g r l , hous but to a and n to ac a e a look d rk forbiddi g, or l k whil te nant and the attentions of the builde r and e a a enan to be ee i d cor tor , for ghostly t t sp d ly found for it in pop ular imagination . In other n tan e r a es e e i s c s , om ntic old hous , with impr ssiv

u e - a e e fire the a na n the pict r g ll ri s , will im gi tio s of e r an and e a a n e s v ts oth rs , with m zi g r sults . A choice example of this type of haunted house e as e e at the ea is Ripl y C tl , Yorkshir , in which , h d the a the a a nun a of st irs , is portr it of who is s id to descend from her picture at night and tap at the e en an one a e b droom doors ; wh , if y s ys Com ” she e a a e an a a e in , in com s . It is r th r sc d lous t l to e a a nun e n of t ll bout , if you com to thi k it, but

- e re ghost stori s a superior to the proprieties . The a e e ad e e t mo t d hous of B d sl y Clin on , in e has h i f n a a t r l ul e a . W rwickshir , r put tio It

e e e e as a e and n - e and r joic s in s cr t p s g s hidi g hol s, as had a e a e i n i an e h , or , p culi rly d v lish co tr v c in so

3 2 H A UN TE D H O USE S

he a c e e for this , which c ordingly p rform d ; but

e not end e e e his troubl s did h r , for, coming hom une e e one da he e re his m e xp ct dly y, discov d do stic ” a a n e e the n ch pl in choki g his wif und r chi , as a e a e H e w as no t Dugd l qu intly phras s it . ’ ea n the a as the a ua ee r lly choki g l dy, ntiq ry s qu r e n ea e e e to e e e sp lli g would l d som p opl b li v , but w as n in the a f a a er i dulging pl y ul , or m tory , p ” f ormance n of chucki g . e n a m an of as e e e e the B i g h ty t mp r , Brom sl w e on the an act be pri st spot, for which duly got into serious trouble again with the Church ; which w as not n e e e an a a co t nt , this tim , with l ss th p rish church e e e a u at a e e n n b ing sp ci lly b ilt B dd sl y Cli to , w a e a and a new ee e e n by y of xpi tion , st pl b i g e e er cted to that of Packwood . Nicholas Brom e 1 51 w e e he the e di d in 7, but h th r it is or pri st — or perhaps both who haunt the old manor e is The of a e e hous not narrated . church B dd sl y n n a o e w a Cli to , built by Nichol s Br m by y of e a a ee is an e of xpi ting his h sty d d , still obj ct curiosity . O ne of the most fearsome tales told of ancient manor- houses is the dark and gory legend of Littlecote the e and a e u the , gr y r mbling pil b ilt in closing years of the fifteenth century by the Darell family in the pleasant and fertile meadow a e e the e enne and e e e l nds b sid riv r K t , sh lt r d enea the t e a e ee b th Wil shir downs , midw y b tw n n e r e the Hu g ford and Ram sbury . Leland styl s demesne of Littlecote a right faire and large ’ parke hang yng e upon the clyfle of a hig he hille

WILD WILL DARE LL 3 3 — welle Woddyd over Kenet quaint spelling that ul ease ad e f h sho d pl mir rs o t e archaic . The e ca e the are e e prop rty m to D lls , who w r a e the m a a e the origin lly from Yorkshir , by rri g of e e the the ne to i ia h ir ss of Colstons, old ow rs, W ll m

Darell . The Wild Will Darell of the famous sto ry of Littlecote was a descendant of this ia Will m . No one will ever succeed in satisfactorily settling the historic doubts as to the character and a ee of the e who e the c r r Wick d Will, flourish d in e xtremity of wickedness in the reign of Good ee e e e are of in Qu n B ss . Th r two schools thought h h t is matter . T e one is content to see Dar ell a n e the a e of e i e the e p i t d in bl ck st hu s, wh l oth r u a e us e e e him a n e man wo ld h v b li v much i jur d , a paragon of vir tue and patience under undeserve d ent en misf ortune . The anci leg ds of the coun try side have always ag ree d to regard him as a monster of iniquity : which certainly is not con e us e e e e e e no one ea as l iv vid nc , for th r is so r dy your sim ple rustic to en dow his superiors with attribute s that would not ill become the devil se him lf . The story of Will Darell is that of a wil d u man ma e Littlecote no yo ng , st r of , but by f hi n i a is means master o s ow ev l p ssions . It a f a e of ea Sheif ord ta e o a mi e a . l dwif , Mrs B rn s Gr t , be ing suddenly summoned one dark night on a e n of a en i a Kn vett of ha on pr te ce tt d ng L dy y , C rlt , an e e e and led on near by, d th n b ing blindfold d e n e In a horseback to a quite diff er t hous . 5 34 H A UN TE D H O USE S stately room of this mysterious mansion was an e a e a e a qu lly myst rious m sk d l dy , for whom h r e e e The e en en e s rvices wer requir d . l g d th e on to e a e a a a en e en e an go s d cl r th t t ll , sl d r g tl m , e n and e a e havin e with low ri g f rocious sp ct, g e n b m a ne a e velvett en er e upp y gou of bl ck , t d the it e e and a n the room w h som oth rs , , t ki g

e - n m her a m a n wly bor child fro r s , without word threw it upon a blazing fire in an ante - room and crushed it with his boot - hee l into the flamin g w n e so a as e e n e . l gs , th t it tir ly co sum d It is impossible to altogether discredit this e a e the e n a e Barns d . story , b c us d positio s m by Mrs eff ta en n her en she w as of Sh ord , k dow from wh n the ea in a e ea a e een upo point of d th, ft r y rs , h v b discovered. The statemen t w as committed to

n . e of ea eff a writi g by Mr Bridg s , Gr t Sh ord, a a e and as a u a e not e to m gistr t , , co sin of D r ll , lik ly wantonly spread baseless slanders to the injury a am t h as n e t The of f ily wi h which e w co n c ed . document certainly doe s not identify Darell or Littlecote nor e e en n at the en , do s it v hi t id tity e Bu h e an a e n . t t e a of y pl c or p rso discov ry , bout 1 8 79 at L n ea an na e e m , o gl t , of origi l l tt r fro Kn tt n n . v e a t n ne Sir H y , of Ch rl o , to Sir Joh Thy , on ea a e an a 2 1 5 a the of L gl t, d t d J u ry , 7% ( bout ’ a ne n n to the time of Mrs . B r s co fessio ) brings us a in n a e n Lit le te origin l rumours po ti g to D r ll a d t co .

n am w as en e n at on ea . A Mr . Bo h th r sidi g L gl t H is sister w as well known to be living with Darell i th e Kn vett as h s e and e e . mistr ss , l tt r from Sir H y u n to e his w as to re se this Mr . Bo ham inquir of L ITT LECO T B.

T H E H A NTE D CH A BE R L IT T L ECO T E . U M ,

3 6 H A UN TE D H O USE S

the ad the a a n a n n a e ro s by pp ritio of Bur i g B b , which startled his horse so that Darell w as flung he n H e t and e e . to grou d his n ck brok n is now, n e an a a n e and in old cou try lor , pp ritio hims lf, ’ haunts indiff erently Dare ll s Stile and the

bedroo m . a e a e e e e o n Bish m Abb y , th t lov ly old r sid nc the a of the a e in e e has n b nks Th m s, B rkshir , lo g

been reputed a haunted house . If historic associations of the m ost romantic kin d make a e n a n s a e has pr dispositio to h unti g, Bi h m Abb y every circumstance in favour of ghosts ; for it has been at diff erent times a Preceptory of Knights Templars and a state ly Abbey in whose noble church numbers o f the great in history ea e e all w as th im were buried . Gr t st of th m e e the a a the n posing N vill , f mous W rwick Ki g m a e e at the a e of Btrnet in k r, who f ll B ttl , h e 1 4 1 t e e a . e e e 7 , in hour of d f t Sur ly, if v r a e a e a e the ad e ghost w lk d, his should h v h unt d sh s ea r e a of Bisham . But no such gr t figu s h ve

e e an a n . e ee e disturb d thos sylv l w s Th y sl p w ll , en e and m e a e e e g tl si pl , f mous or obscur , who w r e e e and e e a e ne buri d h r , th ir v ry tombs h v go , together w ith the stones of the Abbe y that e te e e the e e e sh l r d th m, in compl t d struction of The a no w the monas tic buildings . m nsion styled h e is in a n a the t e Abb y , f ct, o ly portion of d has t e an e e e a e . domestic buildings , i s lf b n r f c d Boatin g parties on that most beautiful reach of the Thames are familiar with the ancien t u a tan n e o the banks ch rch of Bish m, s di g clos up n LAD Y H OB Y 3 7

of the e and e the ans n nea riv r , glimps old m io r

e e a ee e - e e by, mbosom d mid tr s , its corbi st pp d a e e the g ables pe king pictur squ ly into sky . It is a ea e and e en a the sa e b utiful old hous , ss ti lly m as when Henry the Eighth gave it (among others) a e ee e of e es has to his disc rd d Qu n, Ann Cl v . It

long be en the property of the Vansittart - Neale a n e the e a n f mily , to whom, it is u d rstood , r put tio n e is no ea e of hau ted hous by m ns w lcome . Fro m Anne of Cleves the property passed by e an e the a o ne of xch g to Hoby f mily, whom, Sir m as w as a e the e n een Tho Hoby, ch rg d in r ig of Qu t the the n Mary wi h custody of Pri cess Eliz abeth . Sir Thomas does not appear to have had much leisure to enjoy his riverside retreat after h e t e accession of Queen Eliz abeth . H must have een a urtl and a e t e dia the b c y g n l custo n , for een had as n e ee his e Qu , Pri c ss, b n prison r, e a him and e e look d with f vour upon , mploy d him as Am as a ra e e e he e a e b s dor to F nc , wh r di d, v ry

ul a a at the a e of r - youthf Amb ss dor, g thi ty six . is the u e his e ad It unq i t spirit of wif , L y z a eth a has n ee e e to Eli b Hoby, th t lo g b n r put d h u h n She was on th a nt t e old mansio . e of e four a co e a e Sir e c mplish d d ught rs of Anthony Cook , of ea a e and ma r e T a Gid H ll , Ess x , r i d Sir hom s H i 1 in 1 566 in s n 553 . e a oby Hoby di d , P ri , as his e a s a e and pit ph t t s, this widow brought h h a o e the to a . S e ar e ai m body Bish m m ri d g n , in 1 5 4 o e die in 1 584 7 , John , L rd Russ ll , who d , an d he el e 1 609 a e 8 1 e n u ie rs f di d in , g d , b i g b r d s be ide her first husband. 3 s H A UN TE D H O USE S

Lady Hoby w as a person of rem arkable lin She e g uistic and other scholarly attainments . wrot ee and a i e e and e e Gr k L t n v rs , compos d r ligious ea e m e a n n n and the tr tis s . So uch is c rt i ly k ow ; the a e e a am e story of ll g d h unting of Bish Abb y ,

H O LADY BY .

From the crayon dram by Holbein.

an e n one enera n an e h d d dow from g tio to oth r , s s her n a en in e e ac how , si gul rly ough , compl t cord e can ea be n e s with this charact r . It r dily u d r tood a a a e and e a th t highly ccomplish d , p rh ps priggish , e s as ad be e p r on such L y Hoby, would not lik ly to make sufficient allowance for the mistakes of A GH OS T IN N E GATIVE 39

a or the w e an e one dull child , ilfuln ss of idl ; and the story goes that she w as a cruel mother her e a w as at to littl boy Willi m, who slow

learning and untidy with his copy - books ; whose

a e e e a nea - be p g s w r not wh t t copy books should , d en and e . a but slov ly, disfig ur d with blots L y Hoby is said to have been in the habit of severely a t the and one da e the ch s ising boy, y, wh n copy o had ee e a a e she b oks b n mor th n usu lly blott d , a e d thr sh d him so unmercifully that he ied . has n ee e and This story lo g b n curr nt, would seem to have been handed down by gossip from a e e n a e a e e r mot period . Oral traditio s h v chi v d e en e e The v mor remarkabl vitality than this . legend o f the haunting seem s to be almost equally It e s h La old . t ll how t e ghost of dy Hoby is to be een m a e e a s g liding fro b droom, lik L dy a e in the act a n a n m M cb th , of w shi g bloodst i s fro her hands in a basin o f water carried before her e a a a e ean lik v gr nt, without visibl m s of s er e e a e upport . H identity may b st blish d by c omparing the spook with one among the old

f a a the in - mily portr its in din g room , in which L ady Hoby is represented with very White face a n d an and e e the ee and h ds , dr ss d in coif, w ds , ’ W imple of a knight s widow But those who a r e said to have seen the ghost have always d e c lared that she appears (speaking afte r the ne of the ne at e wa m a n r photographers) in g iv y,

w ith black face and hands and white dress . A e a n the e n at d r a wing by Holb in , mo g coll ctio a e n the e n W in dso r C stl , picturi g Court of H ry 4 c H A UN TE D H O USE S the a r a ea a H Eighth , shows po tr it h d of L dy oby,

a ea e and a cat- e e at with h rd f tur s lik smil , not all prepossessing . A curious discovery w as made at Bisham e a ea a o or n the Abb y m ny y rs g , supp ti g old story

the - of blotted copy books . During some altera

tions a sixteenth - century w indow - shutter was

e e e a ac e an e - r mov d , wh n p k t of tiqu copy books w as e e e the a e ee the discov r d, push d into w ll b tw n and the t and e e a of e e joists skir ing , s v r l th s books, ’ on H ob s a e was r e e e which young y n m w itt n, w r ” e e cov r d with blots . But the rather daunting fact becomes presently apparent that no William Hoby is r to be discove ed . In Bisham church may be seen the mag nificent monument erected by Lady Hoby to her

a a and to a - e husb nd, Sir Thom s , his h lf broth r,

i e - z e efli ies the tw o n Sir Ph lip . Lif si d g of k ig hts lie e e and in ron the e sid by sid , f t is l ngthy epitaph

S r T omas H ob e marrie wi Dame E iz bet y h y d th l a h , a u er to S r An o n s Coo e Kni ts d ght y th y k , gh , who me he had issewe few er c i dre n by h l , E war Eliz a e A nne and T omas Pos umus d d , b th , , h th , and being Embassador for Queue E liz abetha in Fraunce

died at Paris the 13 of J u 1566 of the a e o f 3 6 . . ly g

T wo wor s kni htes and H o ies o e name thy g , b b th by s r s o E nclosed within thi ma ble tone d rest . P i the rs in Caesars cour ba e ame h lip fy t, t th f Suc as o ore few e e a es i e ossest h t f , l g t l k p . A ie e sc ursin ea a no e ra d p di o g h d, bl b t A com - ier assin and a eurteis ni t p g, k ght

4 2 H A UN TE D H O USE S

’ a H b s e e e in a t ea . a o pp rs L dy y childr n w r , f c , as ta e : n a and as s t d, four two so s , Edw rd Thom of e to a Posthumus , both whom gr w up m nhood and e a e n e and a e s b c m k ight d ; two d ught r , l a e and e e t n a f e w a E iz b th Ann , who di d wi hi d ys ea t e 0 her m a e 1 5 . a of ch o h r, in 7 By rri g with e e e she had a son a Lord Russ ll , how v r, , Fr ncis , h e e e in nf n w o is r cord d to have di d i a cy . t an a t e as is Woodcrof M or, or Woodcroft C s l , it e e e the ne o e e som tim s styl d , in ighb urhood of P t r an t e e te a e e and its borough , is o h r r pu d h unt d hous , gloomy exterior is in keeping with its reputation and with the tragic story that belongs to it . the e w as n e a a t e the n Though hous o c c s l , rou d tower seen to the left of the picture is almost the only relic of the early Edwardian times when the e was s hous fir t built . The stirring sto ry of the place belongs to that as e the e the War e een dis trous p riod, tim of Civil b tw i I e Kin g Charles and h s Parliament . t was a tim when the old order of fighting Churchmen was not yet quite extinct ; and among these militant clerics h s a the n w as . ae n one loy l to Ki g Dr Mic l Hud o , of ’ ns his Maj esty s chaplai . With a view to holding in check the many bands of Parliam entary maraude rs who were

a n n n ns e . s n e te pill g i g Hu ti gdo hir , Dr Hud o coll c d a body of yeomen for the purpose of waging a a a a e a a n the e e a te guerill w rf r g i st n my , but, f r a e e he was e to a a k some initi l succ ss s, oblig d f ll b c upon Woodcroft Manor . e h w as e en e e e and e en e Her e pr s tly b si g d , d f d d B 'I‘ A N O R WO O DC O F M .

RA STE U BY.

WOOD CR OFT MAN OR 43 the h e u n m n ev e and ous st bbor ly fro mor till , from o a en the o the room to ro m . At l st , driv to r of of e and m e the e the t e tow r, hi s lf sol survivor of lit l an e e e he w as e a e in a b d of d f nd rs , ng g d comb t with a a z e the o n ea s e e h lf do n of R u dh d , who r fus d to a e t ff e en e and e e cc p his o r of surr d r, forc d him ov r the parapet . There he clung despe rately until the officer in charge of the party backed o ff his n e en he e the a en fi g rs , wh f ll into mo t which th h surrounded t e house . The e e m an e e a a e sor ly wound d , how v r, m n g d to e to the u a w as e e struggl m ddy b nk , but murd r d e e his e e e e the th r by n mi s , who hurri d down from and e a e e e tower d sp tch d him with th ir pik s . That is why Woodcroft Manor has the reputa tion of being haunted . Lo vers of the marvellous declare that the scene is again enacted in ghostly a hi and a the a ee and e of f s on, th t cl sh of st l cri s n e are Quarter ! a d M rcy ! heard . There is a finely ruinous old estate of fallen fortune an d peculiar history in the neighbourhoo d f a h o Blandford . Eastbury P rk is t e name of this ha n e ai out the ee u t d dom n . Built of proc ds of vast and long- continued peculations from the a e e n the Admir lty by G org Dodi gton , in middle of the e e e en and a e a a ight nth c tury, ft rw rds llowed to a t a em e a a e ne f ll in o ruin by E rl T pl , l t r ow r, ul not aff a n a n so e a a e who co d ord to m i t i hug pl c , and actually off ered (in vain ) £2 00 a year and free residence to anyone w ho would take the great an d kee in e a has n e mansion p it r p ir, it lo g sinc

ee e lis e e e f or one w . b n d mo h d , xc pt ing only 44 H A UN TE D H O USE S

the h e the au en It is g ost of Dogg tt , fr dul t e w a a a em e a the st rd of th t E rl T pl , which h unts road and the long drive up from the park gates the The n n to house . eighbourhood k ows Doggett e e n ee and can e ou e a n v ry w ll i d d , t ll y how, mul ti g the as e a w ho il the a e he v t r fr uds of him bu t pl c , e his em e and e e the ena robb d ploy r Oppr ss d t ntry, and at a m e ne a the e l st shot hi self . G r lly at strok m a a t hea e ach a and of idnight , co ch wi h dl ss co m n ead e se e out and e h l ss hor s driv s picks up Dogg tt, h down t e road .

see an - ure at a e If you old world fig such tim , te n a n e an e s pping i to th t horrid co v y c , you will

e n e him as e nee - ee e r cog is Dogg tt by his k br ch s , Th tied with yellow silk ribbon . e headless coach “ man a his e he e ! sks (out of n ck W r to, sir and the a e e e the ghost s ys , Hom wh r upon es are e and e e a to hors whipp d up , th y driv b ck Th ad en e n ro the e . e e e hous sh of Dogg tt , t ri g, p ceeds to the panelled room where he shot himself a — century and a half ag o and shoots himself again ! Doggett was buried in the neig hbouring church of a u a uil was e l e Tarr nt G nville . Th t b ding d mo ish d and e in 1 8 45 e the en e m r built , wh n workm , xhu ing his the e to a e ee e e e body, found l gs h v b n ti d tog th r w n The a e a w as as e with yello silk ribbo . m t ri l fr sh nd as the da had een e and the a bright y it b ti d , The e body w as not decayed . cr dulous country folk averred that he w as a vampire . The whimsical story of a suburban villa at a a w as a to be a e and ul Egh m th t s id h unt d , wo d a ea not to be au e w as the ec of pp r h nt d, subj t “ H ILLSID E ” E GH A M , 45

- - a ns at law in 1 904 1906 and a a n in 1 907. ctio , , g i The w ne the use Mr a e s t o r of ho , . Ch rl Ar hur a e ac n e ve a a e B rr tt, brought tio s to r co r d m g s a a n te e a a er a g i st Mr . S ph n Phillips , dr m tist, c t in a e w a e and the ee a e L i ht d ily n sp p rs , w kly p p r g , for circulating statements as to supernatural a en his e and w as h pp ings on prop rty , duly awarded pecuniary consolation for the aspersions

as the e . The ff e n e w as e n ca c t upon hous o c t ch i lly , in e a ase an e e . l g l phr ology, sl d r of titl A m edimval castle or an Elizabethan manor e m a a ea be a n e a an a e hous y, it pp rs, h u t d with dv t g , but a modern suburban villa must be above sus icion o th n a he d . e o e e t a e p of spo ks In c s , h unt characte r is thought to give a certain romantic charm in the other it simply reduces the rental a e e en en e the se a e im os v lu , or v r d rs hou bsolut ly p ’ e r the e - a en n e sibl , f om hous g t s poi t of vi w . The house that w as the subj ect of these actions ’ in the Kin g s Bench Division is the modern villa ” h e In 1 8 90 w as at Eg am called Hillsid . it sold

one . the a n ff let it by Mr John Ashby to pl i ti , who subsequently to a succession of tenants at £ 70 er an e of e e e a i w as tate p num . Non th s t n nts , t s d , n a n en 1 903 w as e e made a y compl i ts . Th in it r nt d

. e en w as a e e by Mr St ph Phillips , who, it ll g d , ea i e a e n e and n e t e t n h rd n xplic bl ois s , soo l f , forf i i g the e he had a and e e ta e r nt p id , b ing oblig d to k refuge in a local hote l from gruesome noise s that e e the a a a sugg st d str ngul tion of child . The D ail E x r ess ea of the aff a y p , h ring ir , in 1 904 published an account of it ; the result 46 H A UN TE D H O US E S being an action brought against the paper and

. w e f Mr Phillips . This as s ttled out o court f r 2 0 o £ 0 .

In a h 1 906 e n the e e se w as M rc , , wh lib ll d hou e n a a a e n e e T he D ail g tti g b ck its ch r ct r o c mor , y Mail e the e a Li ht publish d following xtr ct from g , the organ of the occult

’ T H E PO E 'r s ! PE IE CE E R N .

th - a ea a o e e ra at s . About y r g po t d m i t, Mr e he s e the e at am St p n Phillip , mov d into hous Egh . It w as not long before he w as disturbed by strange no and a n ac a e a k ckings r ppi gs , comp ni d by footf lls ,

d he s and a an ea . at soft loud , h sty st lthy As h e r in t e e . qui tly w iting his study , door would op n H e found the obvious explan ation of a draught to

- be absurd . Draughts do not turn door handles and e the an e as the o , on my lif , h dl would turn do r ’ d n h w ene an o a as e . op d, nd visibl His little daughter told him that she had ee a a m an ee a the e s n sm ll , old cr ping bout hous , w as n n to e e but there o such perso b found . Th re w as e e a e a and a , how v r, common r put tion loc l tradition that an old farmer had strangled a child ea a o the n the e The fifty y rs g in vici ity of hous . e a ha n n e fled the e w as s rv nts ving i co tin ntly , po t t e to t ea e and do e cons rain d hrow up his l s lik wise . There is no report that the disturbances pursued ” him . A s a e of w as a e the r sult this , it compl in d, e e a ne e the es ff e e ei e hous r m i d mpty, b t o rs r c v d

4 8 H A UN TE D H OUSE S though there was nothing in its external appear an e e a e e i c which would d b r p opl looking a t t. H e did not g o o ut of his w ay to tell people who thought of taking the house the story about its e n e b i g haunt d . h . . C . t e e e a se Mr Lush, Q (for d f nd nts) I suppo you agree that the development of the motor- car traflic is a nuisance to houses on the main arterie s n n P— I e eve is e ase out of Lo do b li it in som c s, but ’ n in it aff e a I do t th k cts Egh m . You think the dust is rather enjoyable in some a e P a — In e e no c s s (L ughter . ) som cas s it would t be as se as i rious n others . His Lo rdship Do you think the owner of a house lik e that can let it if he will only let it o n a term of years ! ’ Witness did not quite follow his lordship s n meani g . ’ e ave had e e e e e of e W ll , I h som xp ri nc hous s , ’ a ou hin he has ot s id his lordship . Don t y t k if g a e e at a bad a e the w a hous lik th with n m , only y to let it is to g et some person to take it for a year without rent P The Witness I think that would be a feasible

a e a e the a n ff a ha Mr . Ch rl s B rr tt, pl i ti , s id t t if he had got a good te nant he would have been pleased to let the house on almost any terms . The result w as that the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff f or £90 dama ges against the l de D a i Mail . L i ht e e the e was y g , wh nc r port e had a a sum i on a riv d , p id nto Court ccount of R A TS f 49 damages more than the £1 0 awarded against the proprietors of that journal . the aff a no t end e e the def en But ir did h r , for dant D aily Ma il appealed successf ully against the e n and at n f or the e e a e d cisio ; this poi t, pr s nt, m tt rs e r st . The e in w a so f ar as a ea an e hous , no y, pp r c e ff e en the e e a e go s , di r t from g n r l run of mod rn as a e the e e a the ea a vill , f c s Ex t r Ro d , gr t highw y of o n the e of n an and is out L ndon i to W st E gl d , a e alf wa the h e n a situ t d h y up ill, b yo d Egh m , e e e e n now n ar the Holloway Coll g . A polic ma i a e as a e a e and sa nh bits Hillsid c r t k r, is pro ic ally of opinion that the ghosts of the house are rats l din a nf a n Accor g to loc l i orm tio , this w as the n e n im not o ly hous Mr . Phillips fou d ” I ea he o The n e . t a ad a possibl pp rs t ok Qu r t, off a e of ee ea and e two doors , for t rm thr y rs , l ft in a e e n a the e for the e a n tw lv mo th , p ying r nt r m i tw o ea t n the In ing y rs withou occupyi g place .

e of the e a made t the m t - car spit d ni ls in Cour , o or affi as h i the u tr c p sing t is po nt is worst of n isan ces . e n the a a e to the e the a B i g m in rt ry W st, ro d is h n e and e e e an one of e e wa t ro g d, r sid nc in y th s y s e a be a e ab e eas id vill s must lmost un ndur l , by r on the n the a e and the a e of sti k , continu l nois , pl gu ea e the new e of of dust cr t d by ord r things . ” e all n the e e W k ow unlucky hous . Ev ry u o has such an one has neighbo rho d , which brought

— - o r has seemed to bring ill fortun e to all who e n n w n e have reside d ther i . I k o a oble s venteenth century mansion that is in m ost respects (in the 7 so HA UN TE D H O USE S conventional phrase of auctionee rs and estate ” a n e a e ami e In e e ge ts) a d sir bl f ly residenc . v ry e e a to sa a e one a e has r sp ct , th t is y, s v . Dis st r dogge d the footsteps of those who have taken it and has the en e a e n in d ov rt ken them . Three p rso s a e e e e at n e a e tendin e who h v liv d th r , i t rv ls x g ov r

en - five ear a e a e a s tw ty y s, h v l id viol nt h nd upon e e e and e e e a had f or one th ms lv s nd d liv s th t , eas a e e e to o s e to be a e r on or noth r, b com irk om f c d an e O ne e sel in the y long r . occupi r shot him f house ; a gardener hanged himself behind the coach - house doors ; and a later occupant shot

- The himself by the river bank . superstitious consider that if w e knew the whole history of the a n w e a e a n e a e of m nsio , should h v lo g r t l mis

o e e e e - chances t thos sh lt r d by its ill omened roof . a e to sa e not ac a new But, str ng y, it do s long l k a ten nt . O ne e the a e a e e wond rs , in c s of r put dly ” n e the e an has een u lucky hous , if incoming t n t b n r e e a or he e e u i fo m d of its r put tion , if nt rs pon a his e e e and e the his ten ncy with y s op n, , lik ” e - e e e ta all furnitur r moving p opl , king risks . he a e so he has e e ul ad If d r s much , my r sp ctf miration and ec e at n e an e of n e e , b om s o c obj ct i t r st el in a a and to the ne to mys f p rticul r, ighbourhood e tan in general . H e arns an admiring or expec t e e as w e e e int r st, just look upon som intr pid e e o a e e ni e xplor r n d ng rous ground , or som mbl trapezist ; sin cerely hoping he will co me to no a he e all a a a . h rm, but nticip ting th t will Aft r , w e need not be thoroughly superstitious in refusin g L IDE E G H A . H I LS , M

K CO M BE BAN .

D A LH A M H A LL 5x

to e i e r side n an unlucky house . T o b the centre of local interest under the circumstan ce s attending such a tenancy must be distinctly un nerv ing in the en d a em e the e and to v rious m b rs of hous hold, demoralizing to the servants ; and desirable resi dences are not so scarce that o ne need be reduced to the a a n an in a e str its of t ki g such imic l hous , o r n one . Dalbam a nea e a e in 1 704 H ll , r N wm rk t, built a n a o by Dr . P trick , Bishop of Ely , l o g g , rightly n ea e the na e a of n or wro gly , rn d m , loc lly , u lucky ” d e a a . a ami e nan a an e D lh m C l ti s , fi ci l oth rwis , e — nd e — a n e pursu d a ov rtook lo g lin of its owners . n e e e e the Affleck a at as Amo g th s w r f mily , who l t o h e e The t t e a . c e a sold it l t Mr C il Rhod s . purch se w as a new n w e a ea m an ed still thi g h n th t gr t di ,

n in 1 902 - e n ea . u tim ly, , in his forty inth y r “ a e and eff e P e : no one a e C us ct W ll , no d r co nte nd so much in these days ; but the fac ts were duly noted at the time by many newspapers and e a e be b e e in ee a a n wsp p rs , it should o s rv d, fr ly p r a i i e e the e e gr ph ng curious co ncid nc s of kind, tog th r “ ” with every provincial haunted house or ghost s ee al e e eff e a the ea e e tory, k p iv v ry ctu lly dr d b li fs and fearful imaginings fondly thought by many e e en p opl to be obsolesc t . e o e had of e in at the C cil Rh d s thoughts r tir g , e a e to a a but as w e a e clos of public lif , D lh m ; , h v een he die e e e t a e he had s , d un xp ct dly , shor ly ft r

ase the e a e . H e e to e purch d st t l ft it his broth r, the ar e a e to the popul Colon l Fr nk Rhod s , whom , more thoro ugh - going among the marvel - mong ers 5: H A UN TE D H O USE S

e the e n e are e e a a . a a d cl d, b qu st prov d f t l At y r t , he not e the e n did long surviv poss ssion of it , dyi g

1 905 . ee e to sa the e e r e e in N dl ss y, pr s nt w it r do s a e a ar e e e and as e e e not sh r th t ticl of b li f ; , vid nc a e e e a e e to of good f ith , h r by d cl r s his willingn ss a e the e e n e e be e sufli cc pt r v rsio , should th r thos

i - c entl a ear e to e n e . a y f int h t d r nou c it But third , and e e e a n e e a e on v n mor st rtli g, v nt took pl c 4th 1 90 e the t r e a a April , 7, wh n hird b oth r, C pt in e e e e to the e a e had Ern st Fr d rick Rhod s , whom st t

a at D lb m a his fif t - fif th ea e e a a . f ll n , di d H ll , in y y r

CHAPTER III

’ — — Spedlin s Tower Cmnford Park Ham House and the Duchess

of Lauderdale .

T H E following example takes us across the

e the e of e e Bord r, into n ighbourhood Lock rbi ,

’ S edlin s e w as the e p Tow r , in r ign of Charles the e the e e e at ea the e S cond, r sid nc , or l st prop rty , of Al e a e a e of e a Sir x nd r J rdin , Appl g rth : a bo ld bad Bar ne who had ne the o t, impriso d in dungeons of this old to wer overlooking the Annan a certain mi e one e a e a e ll r, Port ous, ch rg d (with wh t d gree of truth does not appear) with be ing the incendiary of his own mill . It w as while this prisoner w as ’ lang uishing in the un derground hold of Spedlin s Tower that Sir Alexander Jardine was summoned on e e to Edinburgh urg nt busin ss, which so n r e his a a wi the e g o ss d mind th t, c rrying th him e t e as e be ea the k ys of his Li tl E , cl n forgot ex s e e the nf a e e i t nc of u ortun t Port ous, until some u e the days later . S dd nly horrible conviction dawned upon him that he had left the miller his ne ce an i of in lo ly ll , without y poss bility his e making himself heard . Hurri dly the Baronet e the e to a e e e he entrust d k ys m ss ng r, whom bade ’ hasten to Spedlin s Tower ; but by the time that 53 54 H A UN TE D H O USE S en had a e the a e e w as ea voy rriv d, h pl ss Port ous d d starv ed to death . It w as quite in order that the ghost of this e a e e a n the e e and the mis r bl prison r should h u t sc n , ’ n eighbourhood of Spedlin s Tower accordingly w as very soon reported to be un quie t with a shrieking spirit whose howls made the blood of such cottars who lived within earshot run cold .

The horror - stricken Bar onet did what w as th e m e possible . H e procured e s rvices of a nu b r “ of er of e e to la minist s r ligion , who und rtook y the the R ed Sea e a a e ghost, in , or oth r ppropri t

e n - a e at the e ea of to r sti g pl c ; or, v ry l st it, confine him within the dungeon wherein his h ta a had e e . T e R ed Sea e e mor l p rt nd d , how v r , a ea to a e een a e e n e e pp rs h v b littl b yo d th ir pow rs , and Sir Alexander had to be content with the dungeon ; from which muflied crie s of L et m e ’ ’ ’ oo t l let m e oo t l I m decin o hunger ! were

- n ea a a e i e flutterin s. lo g h rd, ccomp ni d by b rd lik g e the e e Wh n children thrust twigs through k yhol , the hungry ghost would invar iably tear off the bark and consume it ! e at a a 1 0 the a e a Wh n l st, bout 77 , J rdin f mily migrated across the Annan to their fine ne w a the a e e e aid the m nsion , nci nt Bibl by whos spirit had thus been kept within bounds w as left

e n . a an a e c e b hi d At l st, in g which did not ompr hend the essential importance of the Bible being e the w as a e a a to n k pt on spot, it t k n w y Edi burgh, ’ be r - T a was the tun to e . bound h t spirit s Oppor ity, which he too k full advantage of by crossin g the

COMBE BA N K 55

ea and n a n the an w e e he w as str m i v di g m sion , h r cre dited with hauling the Baronet and his wife o ut of bed and in e e a e e , g n r l produc d such t rror that no time w as lost in intercepting the Bible — on its w ay and restoring it and incidentally the e u — to the e ghostly but forc ful Porteo s old tow r . But even ghosts see m to feel the ravages of t m e n a o the e was a en i Lo g, long g , old Bibl t k a e a and n the e to J rdin H ll , not withi m mory of m an has e e an n a ne a Port ous mad y sig . J rdi H ll w as the a 1 8 8 4 e sold by f mily in , but th y still

e e e the ac - e e e i e pr s rv old bl k l tt r Bibl , pr nt d in 1 634 and now a e en e n a n , c r fully clos d withi stro g

bras s - clamped box made from the ancient beams ’ the - e e of long sinc roofless walls of Spedlin s Tow r . The mansion of Combe Bank (or Comb Bank) at e in en a e the r e t of Sundridg , K t, l t ly p op r y ill 3 . a t e who ie 1 8 8 Mr W i m Spo tiswood , d d in , has ea a een f or e ear , with its b utiful p rk , b som y s a in the a e to be let or p st m rk t, sold . It is ass c a e a n a a of e en s a in o i t d with si gul r ch in v t , h v g been in 1 756 the property of Colonel John Camp e w ho in 1 61 ee e to the e of b ll , 7 succ d d Duk dom as e and w as a e a s Argyll, fourth Duk , ft rw rd ive the a a t e of a d e g n ddition l ti l B ron Sundri g , in — acknowledgment not of any remarkable public — services but of the less m eritorious than fortunate circumstance of being the owner of much property in he t parish . To his son e e a e he third , Lord Fr d rick C mpb ll , presented Combe Bank ; and there Lord Frederick r e e w his e had een e and sid d ith wif , who b wif , 56 H A UN TE D H O USE S

e uen the of the u t a e re subs q tly widow, fo r h E rl F r rs , who w as hanged at Tyburn in 1 760for the murder o a of his steward . The murder arose partly ut of et n f or a a Fer ret s p itio sep r tion brought by Lady . In the u a ee n e en e was e j dici l proc di gs , vid c giv n a a n the a his tewa n n g i st E rl by s rd , John Joh so ,

w a - a an e e an a e a hom th t ill b l c d nobl m ft rw rds shot, e n e s f r s 0 e the in e e . o a ac a 1 6 r v g Ev n b k 7 , wh n e e a e e e a e e a e privil g d cl ss s w r llow d wid l titud , it w as e e to e a e a not p rmitt d shoot st w rds lik r bbits , and so Lord Ferr ers w as arraigned on the capital a e and ea u e n e and ch rg , , gr tly to his s rpris , co vict d — se nten ced to be suspended where many another a e a had n — t n m l f ctor swu g a Tybur . It was very like a gala day in London when my Lord Ferrers went forth from the Tower to e an e It as n i — b h g d . w do e n style if that we re any satisfaction to the central figure in the pro in H e ceed g s. had dressed himself in his wedding ’ e and set out ha - e u ne cloth s , upon t t four mil s jo r y sea e in a an a e In a a e t d l d u with six hors s . dv nc e a a of ena e and a e ff in w nt comp ny gr di rs , sh ri a a ia e and six len e e i ns c rr g , p tifully d ck d with r bbo ; and the ea was u a of e r r bro ght up by troop hors , ’ the a of the e sherifl and— e ent in ch riot oth r , d c ly — the wake of this brilliant procession a mourning a and a ea co ch h rse . A huge crowd watched the pas sing of this n a a e a e and an e en a e r w si gul r ss mbl g , v l rg r c o d ” was a t n at u s e em a e w i i g Tyb rn I uppos , r rk d e e s sar a as t e e a Lord F rr r donic lly, h y bowl d long and n e n u e e e se otic d this co co rs of p opl , I suppo

53 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

n u o e and de e a n of tio , b ilt of st n , sign d in imit tio the a ia at e Vill Dor , Rom . The old an n in a a ese m sio Cr nford P rk , Middl x , the seat of the Fitz harding e Berkeleys for many a ea and a of Fitz hardin e long y r, now th t Lord g , is the e of s er va una e hom gho tly s nts , who, fort t ly, do not appear to breathe down your n eck at dinner or e e se e the a obtrud th m lv s upon qu lity . But ” the a e e a as na l to qu lity, p n tr ting occ io l y the hen a e een t n ea T kitc , h v s hi gs not of this rth . he an is the a a ea m sion for most p rt h vy, scowling

e a n a a ass ee - e pil , r mbli g d rkly, m of d p ton d red e un in the ictureso ue brick , ov r much gro d p park ;

and a m ore e e t n or l ss mod rn por io , with a

e - a e n n s e e an - doubl b y d fro t , fur i h d with v r dah roofs the n e e hea on first floor, looki g w irdly lik vy , half e e e has a no t e h clos d y lids , much mor c ee rful h ea an e . t e an e the app r c To dist t vi w, house and a e as e e the e church , fr m d it w r by sull n waters

the e ra e and a a e of ees of riv r C n d rk m ss s tr , look e e sufficiently e ri . he an e It w as t . e e e Hon Gr tl y B rk l y who, in his “ collections a e the a n R e , first m d public h u ted — e of the e . H e all m en a charact r hous , of typical

an the as t- robust English sportsm , of old ro beef — and- bitter - beer type w as the least likely ghost

ee he e a e he - and r e t s r, but d cl r s his b oth r wi h — h him saw one . e ad e e e a e Th y r turn d hom l t , en n the e in ea and w t down i to kitch n , s rch of e all the e the e a in supp r, r st of hous hold h v g e e the he t retired long b for . In kitc n hey dis tinctly saw the tall figure of an elderly woman

60 H A UN TE D H O USE S

e t an es to the an e nt - n a es n r c it, by ci wrought iro g t a and n t are and n a e ee e b ck fro , , lo g h v b n , clos d ,

the usual approach being by the stable - yard on the i h west side . This s ngular disuse of t e entrance s originally planned has itself given rise to many fantastic and entirely fictitious legends but every tan e and en nne e circums c , historic sc ic, co ct d with H am e a e a e the Hous , is provoc tiv of t l s of

a e u . To e n t w as na m rv llo s b gi wi h , it built origi lly a a a in 1 61 0 and n e n e as by Sir Thom s V v sor , i t d d a e en e e en r the in e of a e r sid c for Princ H y, Pr c W l s , th e w as e ldest son of James e First . H a promising u and was a e e e w e en yo th, to h v r sid d ith som spl dour at H am House : hence the several fine mansions

at e e s a ea at the a e timt P t r h m, n r by, built s m and intended to have been occupied by the Court he as e a en a e m a n which , H ir App r t, would h v i n he n e e a a en tai ed. But t Pri c di d with tr gic l sudd hi nt n 1 H ne not 61 2 . e ss , without s of poiso , in ea e e e at a t e e r lly di d of typhoid f v r, th t im v ry prevalent but it is difficult (or was in those days) na for a prince to die a tural death . one e e has e s e a e a a No , how v r, pr um d to t k w y the character of Prince Henry . H e sleeps sound ot e the a en e of H am e and e n . nough, do s troubl v u s the e of a e a e It is old Duch ss L ud rd l who, the ies e — a n according to stor , r visits this mo g others of the scenes of her triumphs and infamies in the period of the Commonwealth an d the reig n ’ n The a e of Charles the Seco d . old d m s boudoir w as en she e it and her e remains as it wh l ft , silv r mounted ebony walking - stick lies across the table ;

CHAPTER IV

’ — - Mannin o n Ha Dr. Jesso s G os s o r The Rec or gt ll p h t t y t y, Uplyme — — — Felbrigg Hall Croglin Grange and the Vampire The Bishop ’ — — of Winchester s Ghost- story Po wis Castle Creslo w Manor — — — Ho use Ramhurst Wallington The Haunted House in Berke le S uare —Wal o e House y q p l .

IN e as e e is a wa discussing such subj cts th s , it l ys desirable to have the te stimony of those whose o a go d f ith is not likely to be called in question .

the - th v e Re . . esso Thus , ghost story told by Dr J p, the e - e e e a w ll known Norfolk cl ric , is sp ci lly e w n n e in welcom . It as origi ally arrat d by him

the A lheuwum . the a e a u na In p g s of th t jo r l , he on e l 0th 1 8 9 he e told how, Octob r , 7 , visit d at a n on a the Lord Orford M nni gt H ll , for pur

- pose of consulting some out of - the - w ay books ’ e in the library ther . Arriving at four o clock the a e he ne best and a in ft rnoon , di d with his

m an of er . e e was n co p y four oth s Th r not, duri g the e the e en n an e e e e a e whol of v i g, y r f r nc m d to e t and at a - a ten the co m occult subj c s, h lf p st ’ e a e e e en he n pany s p rat d . By l v o clock t o ly

e s n n a was . esso e en p r o dow st irs Dr J p hims lf, in the ra a n e e a e a e en e . g g d lib ry , m ki g lit r ry r f r c s T he a and the e an a e had e e f mily , s rv ts lik , r tir d bed to .

D r esso was i e a e and had . J p bus ly ng g d , 63

64 HA UN TE D H OUSE S

had at a e a en n w as which first tr ct d my tt tio , a t an rea e u e the e cl sping , withou y g t pr ss r , l ft han han e e in e e e e and d ; both ds w r p rf ct r pos , the lar ge blue veins of the left hand we re n e e e n n at the co spicuous . I r m mb r thi ki g th ’ hand was like the hand of Velas quez mag nifi ” e n ea n in the a a a e . c t D d K ight, N tion l G ll ry o e at s fo r e se n and w as I lo k d my vi itor som co ds , e f e p r ectly sure that he w as not a r ality . A t an a e n u n m e hous d thoughts c m crowdi g po , but no t the ea e e n of a a e en uneasi l st f li g l rm , or v ne s u s and a n n e e e e e s c rio ity, stro g i t r st, w r upp r t F r n n a to a e a mos . o a i stant I fe lt e ger m k s e of en and e at a ra k tch my fri d , I look d t y on a en i en t my right for p c l ; th I though ,

s a a e a e - a e t Up t irs , I h v sk tch book ; sh ll I f ch “ it P e e he sat and w as a a e a a Th r , I f scin t d fr id , not s he a e . of his st ying , but l t should go o n i e e an St pping in my writi g , I l ft d my l ft h d m the a e e e the e fro p p r, str tch d it out to pil of nd he e e a n a e t on . a books, mov d top I c nnot xpl i — why I did this my arm passed in front of the e and an e was a n e figur , it v ish d . I simply dis ppoi t d, and n n e e n on r in as othi g mor . I w t with my w it g n n had a ene e a an t e five if othi g h pp d , p rh ps for o h r n te and had a t a ot to the ast f ew mi u s , c u lly g l words o f a had e te ne e t a t en the wh t I d rmi d to x r c , wh e a ea e a a n e a the sa e a e figur pp r d g i , x ctly in m pl c ‘ e saw the a se to and attitude as befor . I h nds clo my o wn ; I turned m y head again to examine him

re se and w as a n a enten e mo clo ly, I fr mi g s c to addre ss him when I discovered that I did n ot ’ R E P H - Y 6 D . [ SS O S G OS T ST OR 5

are to ea w a h n d sp k . I as fraid of t e sou d of my

o e . e e he sat and e e sat . own v ic Th r , th r I I e head a ai to and n e turn d my g n my work , fi ish d writing the two or three words I still had to Th write . e paper and my notes are at this e e e m e and e not the e mom nt b for , xhibit slight st em e sne the s tr or or n rvou ss . I could point out word was i e the ha o a e and en I writ ng wh n p nt m c m , wh h s e e a a e . a n n e as di pp r d H vi g fi ish d my t k , I shut the o and e the a e : a e a b ok , thr w it on t bl it m d — slight noise as it fell the figure vanished . T r e a in a sat h owing mys lf b ck my ch ir, I for some se co nds looking at the fire with a curious e ee and e e e e mixtur of f ling, I r m mb r wond ring e e e e a ain and wh th r my fri nd would com g , if he e e he e th fire m e did wh th r would hid e from . Then first there stole upon m e a dr ead and a e suspicion that I w as beginning to lose my nerv . e e e a ni en e bed I r m mb r y w ng ; th I ros , lit my a d e o n o the e room c n l , t ok my books i t inn r a e the a as e e and re libr ry, mount d ch ir b for , placed five of the volumes ; the sixth I brought back and laid upon the table where I had been writing when the phantom did m e the honour o m e had all t appear to e . By this tim I lost e e the n sens of uneasiness . I bl w out four ca dles and ma e off bed e e e the ee rch d to , wh r I sl pt sl p the u the — I n not of j st, or guilty k ow which r but I slept ve y soundly . As a pendant to this narrative m ay be m en

tioned the s r e . a e to y quot d by Mr Augustus H r , Of a cle rgyman brother of Sir Philip Egerton 9 66 H A UN TE D H O USE S

had ee e a in e e and who b n giv n living D vonshir , had een i a e at the e en not long b nst ll d r ctory wh , n one da n his he an comi g y i to study, found old lady seated there in an arm - chair by the fire no a be ea e e . Knowing old l dy could r lly th r , and thinking the appearance must be the re sult of nd e n be e all a e and i ig stio , summon d his cour g sat n n the a boldly dow upo old l dy, who dis a ea The e da he m e th pp red . n xt y t e old lady the a a e e a a her and she in p ss g , rush d up g inst ,

a e . he m et her a e and v nish d But third tim , e ee a it not a a be in th n , f ling th t could lw ys e n he e his e in e e dig stio , wrot to sist r Ch shir , e her a the e e a b gging to c ll upon Miss s Ath lst n, sisters of the clergyman who had held the living d h e e an sa a he ad ee . b for him , y wh t s n e e ea the s e e a Wh n th y h rd of it, Mi s s Ath lst n e i e e e e and a a look d n xpr ssibly distr ss d , s id , Th t w as our mother : w e hoped it w as only to us h a h w e e e e she s e would ppear . W en w r th re a ea e n a e w e e w e e pp r d co st ntly, but wh n l ft hop d sh e t e s e would b a r t . a s n a e and a e e en e to A comp ri o of d t s , r f r c ’ lerica l D ir ector n a e a the Crockford s C y, i dic t s th t clergyman who w as courageous enough to sit down upon a ghost w as the Reverend Brooke de a as e n and e a m e M lp Eg rto , his r ctory th t of Uply ,

e n e he was e ente 1 8 73 . D vo shir , to which pr s d in

Some ten miles only from the scene of Dr . ’ Jessop s adventure at Mannington Hall is Fel e a the e brigg , with its nobl old h ll , long hom of the a and o ne e ee Windh ms , built by of th m thr

’ 6 MR . WIN D H AM S GH OS T 7 hundred years ag o on the site of the older the F r a residence of elb ig g e family . Willi m a the a a e an who e in Windh m, p triotic st t sm di d 1 8 1 0 w as the a the ea n a the , l st of r l Wi dh ms , nephew who succeeded him and adopted his name e a the n m ad b ing Lukin . With otorious a e 1 8 66 e en the Windh m who di d in , v Lukin a s en e and e a w as Windh m d d, F lbrigg H ll pur as e a e e n ch d by groc r of Norwich, John Kitt , who had a e a e H e m d hug fortune . e purchas d every n as it o e e the a a thi g sto d , including v n f mily portr its and heirlooms of many Win dham generations and ’ the a e a a and a na e st t sm n s libr ry, , ch nging his m e o n e 1 8 2 at e as a to K tt , liv d until 7 F lbrigg , n e en a e e cou try squir . Wh Augustus H r visit d Felbrigg in 1 8 8 5 and saw the Miss Cattons as a a er he na e em he ( by whimsic l ror mis m s th ) , found they had adopted the Windhams and all their heirlooms and traditions as though the e v anish d rac e were their very own . Said Miss

Ketton Mr . Windham comes every night to his th H e look afte r favourite books in e librar y . goes straight to the shelves where they are : w e

hear him moving the tables and chairs about . We ne e w e n e to be v r disturb him, though, for i t nd s e e e da and to c e a the gho ts ours lv s som y, om bout ” a e as h pl c just e does . But what many readers will probably think

the most horrible ghost - story they have e ver read is the following narrative told by Captain Fisher i the tor o . a e and e n S to Mr Augustus H r , print d y f 68 H A UN TE D H O USE S

s e a the a a m a n a Fi h r, s id C pt in , y sou d e e e a a e t a i e v ry pl b i n n m , but his f m ly is of v ry a en neag e and an un e ea nci t li , for m y h dr ds of y rs they have possessed a very curious old place in e a ea the e a e Cumb rl nd , which b rs w ird n m of The ea a a e the Croglin Grange . gr t ch r ct ristic of house is that never at any period of its very long e s en e has e en e a one s hi xi t c it b mor th n tory gh , but it has a terrace from which large grounds ee a a a the in the sw p w y tow rds church hollow, a fin and e distant view . en in a e ear the F e Wh , l ps of y s, ish rs outgrew n an e in a and n e e e Crogli Gr g f mily fortu , th y wer wise enough not to destroy the lon g - standing characteristic of the place by adding another the u e t e en a a the story to ho s , but h y w t w y to to e e at Thom com be ea south, r sid n r Guildford , d e an th y let Croglin Grange . They were extremely fortunate in their

e a e and a e . e ea t n nts , two broth rs sist r Th y h rd e e all a r th ir prais s from qu rte s . To their poorer neighbours they were all that is most kind and beneficent and e e a i , th ir n ighbours of h gher clas s spoke of them as a most welcome addition to the e e the e littl soci ty of n ighbourhood . O n their part the tenants were greatly delighte d with e new e en e The a a e en the th ir r sid c . rr ng m t of house hi a e een a a ma , w ch would h v b tri l to ny, e e e w as not so to th m . In ev ry r spect Croglin n w as Gra ge exactly suited to them . The winter was spent most happily by the ew a es of an e ha e in n inm t Crog lin Gr g , who s r d

7c H A UN TE D H OUSE S a a a e a e te as somethin d rk subst nc , d fini gh tly g , hi ee e e e e to ec e nea e w ch s m d v ry mom nt b om r r, n in z e d increasi g si an substance as it approached . Every now and then it w as lost for a moment in the long shadows which stretched across the a the ee and en e e e a e l wn from tr s , th it m rg d l rg r a — h n e e and o n ou on . s e th v r, still c mi g As a e the m e z e w tch d it, ost uncontrollable horror s i d

her . She e et a a the was long d to g w y, but door close to the window and the door w as locked on the e and e she w as n n it insid , whil u locki g . h t She s e must be for an instant nearer to i . n e to ea her e ee e a a e lo g d scr m, but voic s m d p r lys d , her tongue glued to the roof of her mouth . e she e e e a n a e Sudd nly, could n v r xpl i why ft r a the e e e ee e to one w rds , t rribl obj ct s m d to turn e ee e be i n the h e sid , s m d to go ng rou d ous , not to be her at all and e a e she coming to , imm di t ly e bed and u e to the jump d out of r sh d door, but as she w as she ea ra a unlocking it, h rd sc tch , scr tch, at the n and saw a e scr ch upon wi dow, hid ous brown h r She face with flamin g eyes glaring in at e . e a the bed the ea e con rush d b ck to , but cr tur tinued to a a a n the scr tch , scr tch , scr tch upo h e a window . S e felt a sort of m nt l comfort in the knowledge that the window w as securely a e e e the a i f st n d on the inside . Sudd nly scr tch ng ea ed and a i e n sound c s , k nd of p cking sou d took h n she e a e a a e a e . e er a its pl c Th n, in go y, b c m w r that the creature w as unpicking the lead ! The e e and a a a e as nois continu d, di mond p n of gl s en a e of f ell into the room . Th long bony fing r TH E VAMP IRE 7 r the creature came in and turned the handle the and the n e e and the of window, wi dow op n d, ea e ca e and it a e a the cr tur m in ; c m cross room, an d her terror w as so great that she could not ea and a e the bed and e scr m , it c m up to , it twist d e n her a and a e its long , bony fing rs i to h ir, it dr gg d her ea e the e the bed and— it hit h d ov r sid of , her en h viol tly in t e throat . hit her her e w as e ea e and As it , voic r l s d , h H er s e screamed with all her might and main . e r us e of e the o broth rs h d out th ir rooms , but d or w as e w as lock d on the inside . A moment lost e e a e an d e hen whil th y got pok r brok it open . T the creature had already escape d through the and the te ee n en m window, sis r, bl di g viol tly fro a u in the a w as n n n wo nd thro t, lyi g u co scious h h ne e e ove r t e side of t e bed. O broth r pursu d the ea e fled e e the cr tur , which b for him through a e and e en a moonlight with gig ntic strid s , v tu lly seemed to disappear over the wall into the church ’ en he e e e the e yard . Th r join d his broth r by sist r s

e s e . She w as ea f and her u b d id dr d ully hurt, wo nd w as a e e n e one she was v ry d fi it , but of strong s t no t e e en an e e di posi ion , ith r giv to rom c or sup r stition and w en she ca e to e e she a , h m h rs lf s id, What has happened is most extraordinary and m e a t . ee ne a e I v ry much hur It s ms i xplic bl , e e e is an e ana and w e but of cours th r xpl tion, m a t ust w i for it . It will turn out that a lunatic has escaped from some asylum and found his ’ w a e e The h . n ea e and s e a ea e y h r wou d h l d , pp r d to et e the t w as ent g w ll , but doc or who s for to 72 H A UN TE D H O USE S her would not believe that she coul d hear so e e a ea and n e a she t rribl shock so sily, i sist d th t u ha e a e e ta and a so her m st v ch ng , m n l physic l ; e h e broth rs took er to Switz rland . e a e e e she e a oa B ing s nsibl girl , wh n w nt br d she threw herself at once into the interests of the she w She e an she c as . ountry in dri d pl ts, a e e e she e nta i and as m d sk tch s, w nt up mou ns , , a a e on she w as the e e utumn c m , p rson who urg d e that they should return to Croglin Grange . W ’ a e a e she sa e e ea and h v t k n it, id , for s v n y rs , w e have only been there one ; and w e shall always find it difficult to let a house which is only one st w e had e e e e e a s ory high, so b tt r r turn th r ; lun tic ’ h e her e a e e e da . s e do not sc p v ry y As urg d it, e s i e e e and the ami broth r w sh d nothing b tt r, f ly e e e e e r turn d to Cumberland . From th r b ing no upstairs in the house it w as im possible to make an e The y great change in their arrangem nts . s e c e the a e o but is unneces ist r oc upi d s m r om , it a sa she a a e her e hi s ry to y lw ys clos d shutt rs , w ch , e e as in a e a a e one how v r, m ny old hous s , lw ys l ft e e The er to p pan of the window uncov red . broth s e and e a e e e a mov d , occupi d room tog th r, x ctly o i e a of e r is e and e al a Opp s t th t th i s t r, th y w ys kept loaded pistols in their room . The winter passed most peacef ully and h a the e was happily . In t e following M rch sist r suddenly awakened by a sound she remembered nl too e — a cra ch s a the o y w ll scr tch , s t , cr tch upon and she saw e to window, , looking up , , climb d up the s a the the sa e e s topmo t p ne of window , m hid ou

TH E ON L Y WA Y 73

w e e a e a n e e bro n shriv ll d f c , with gl ri g y s, looking in at her s e she ea e as as . Thi tim scr m d loud she l H er e e of e co u d . broth rs rush d out th ir

o an d of the r o . r om with pistols , out f ont d or The creature w as already scudding away across the n O ne the ro e e and law . of b th rs fir d hit it in the le the t e le con g , but still with o h r g it i ne a e w a a e e the a t n d to m k y, scr mbl d ov r w ll the r a an d see e a ea into chu chy rd, m d to dis pp r into a vault which belonged to a family long e xtinct . The next day the brothers summoned all the e a an e and in e re t n nts of Croglin Gr g , th ir p e e he a l w as e e e e e s nc t v u t op n d . A horribl sc n e ea e l The a t w as l of coflins r v l d itse f . v ul fu l ; e had ee e e and ei n en th y b n brok n op n, th r co t ts, r an e and r e e e a e e ho ribly m gl d disto t d , w r sc tt r d e h ne fli a n n t e . O co n e e a e a ov r floor lo r m in d i t ct . t a the had een e s la Of h t lid b lift d , but till y o se u the ffi e a e and e e l o pon co n . Th y r is d it, th r , w n w e e e e ed te bro , ith r d, shriv ll d , mummifi , but qui e e was the sa e e u e h h had ntir , m hid ous fig r w ic o e at the n an e l ok d in windows of Crogli Gr g ,

with the marks of a rece nt pistol - shot in the — leg ; and they did the only thing that can lay — ” a vampire they burnt it . is to be ad e e a e a n It d d, from p rson l obs rv tio , s e an that there is no place tyl d Croglin Gr ge . e a Th re are Croglin High Hall and Low H ll .

are a - e e e one a e Both f rm hous s , v ry lik noth r, and not in any particulars resembling the de n Lo w a a scription given . Crogli H ll is prob bly 1 0 74 H A UN TE D H O USE S the e n a e at eas a e hous i dic t d, but it is l t mil a th e has ee e . dist nt from church, which b n r built The churchyard contains no tomb which by any stretch of the imagination could be identified t a e e a . wi h th t d scrib d by Mr . H re The en e the e following story, oft styl d b st ” a en a e - on e a uth tic t d ghost story r cord , by which e ut o the a the pr mium is p up n word of Bishop , to e e a i of a an e e a a in d pr ci t on th t of y m r l ym n , is told the e a ue e e of M moirs of S m l Wilb rforc , Bishop — Winchester the well - remembered Soapy Sam o f ea ene a a o The a e n rly two g r tions g . t l , which e be en e The a n might w ll titl d Ph ntom Mo k , belongs to the period when Wilberforce w as yet n a H e h ee a wa a e o ly Canon . ad b n l ys v ry and e a e e e s strong mph tic disb li v r in ghost , until s e e en e e e thi xp ri c b f ll him . The be liever in supernatural visitants will be further interested to learn that the Canon w as at the e in u a r ta e ea and tim his su l obust s t of h lth , not at all in that condition w hich opponents of ghost - seeing declare to be conducive to seeing visions . The n e a e a of the followi g , th n , is bri f ccount

Canon Wilberforce w as staying with a well known Catholic family in the village of (the i en e e e in a e and d tity of it d cently v il d) H mpshir ; , as the nne - a a e he en di r hour ppro ch d , w t up to his room in the usual w ay to prepare himself for the ea m l . ’ The was a e e one hour bout s v n o clock ,

76 H A UN TE D H O USE S

e e e e he e n bed e e in r cov r his s ns s , w t to , his disb li f the ee a ea e e n e uns n world lr dy und r r visio . N xt e e be e e e s e the e and v ning d t rmin d to olv myst ry, w as the a as u ua e a ea sitting in libr ry s l , wh n cr k th n on e stairs told him some one was comi g . e the e e and e e the n w as Th n door op n d, th r mo k a a n g i . e a a e e ed e e was Mor th n littl fright n , Wilb rforc , n e e e e a e ee ead and e v rth l ss , bl to k p his h cool , wh n the e as s a the b e monk w nt, u u l , to ooksh lf, by a great effort the Canon asked him what he a e w nt d . The e and a e monk turn d round , , with smil , said he was very glad that some one had spoken to as he was ue - e and are not him, tong ti d, d d H e speak to anybody before being spoken to . went on to say that he had come to look for a bundle of incriminating papers he had left on the of th a e e e he e and top e bookc s b for di d , that the idea had so haunted him that he would never rest peacefully until he had found them . The Canon then volunteered to g et them down

the and e the e - a e to for monk , mount d st p l dd r f th do so . e e at the o e Sur nough , top book a e he u a a e un e a e c s , fo nd l rg b dl of p p rs , which be handed down to the mysterious stranger . H e the n came down and asked the monk what he m a e r wanted done with the . With w i d look e e the a a a e be in his y s, pp rition s id th y must e as e c a e an e re s burn d , th y ont in d import t s c t about members of the family to which he had e a e f f evea e e d be n f th r con essor . I r l d, th y woul P O WIS CAS T LE 77

no doubt have caused considerable unhappiness to e e en a th ir d sc d nts . So the two of them put the pape rs on the fire and a e e n s n th w tch d th m bur . A soo as e a ee a ea e in the a e the l st sh t dis pp r d fl m s, monk ea e and was e e ee a a took his l v , n v r s n g in . This incident recalls the much older one a a e at as e the ea the th t took pl c Powis C tl , s t of a of P i ea 1 0 e 8 . a e E rl ow s , n r W lshpool , in 7 C st ll Coc or Red a e as a e the C stl , it is c ll d by e r the hue red sa e a W lsh, f om of its ndston w lls , is a ea u t u a gr t frowning b ilding, s ill o tw rdly a m ediwval r e a e n z e fo tr ss, lthough mod r i d for es n r ide tial purposes within . If gloom be the n of a hau e e e e a sig nt d hous , th n c rt inly Powis Castle should be inhabited by a veritable house f n a e a e a o . n ee a ee p rty ghosts I d d , m y t l s h v b n

o of w e e e one n . t ld it, but will s l ct o ly It n a a w e are is to a Mr . Joh H mpson th t chiefly indebte d for the preservation of this singular tale of over a century and a quarte r o a ag . H e w as a locally celebrate d pre cher of the e new e e e a e and th n s ct of W sl y n M thodists , , hea a one of his a ring th t communion , poor old s n e of the ne u e pi st r ighbourhood , who s pport d herself chiefly by hemp - spinning and the like h e e had ee the a w as om industri s, s n ghost th t well known to have haunted the Cas tle f or ea he a e u e to a the y rs , m d it his b sin ss obt in

f a her and e re . cts from , to put th m on cord She a a a n at a e s id th t, pplyi g Powis C stl for em e in she u the a ploym nt in sp ning, fo nd E rl 78 H A UN TE D H O USE S and the family we re away from home and the Castle in charge of the ste ward and a small aff e an The e the e a ho w st of s rv ts . wif of st w rd , e e un her sufli ient to ee her v r , fo d c work k p e e e a and she w as e a bed mploy d for som d ys, giv n in th to be an a a t room e house . This proved p r ment which had for some time past been the e e e a e a e and had sc n of in xplic bl disturb nc s, ” a e th n o f cquir d e ame The Haun ted Room . ’ The steward s wife had given her the room with the obj ect of experimenting upon her and the a a i and the e the e a ere pp r tion , r st of s rv nts w een e e e th e k ly int r st d in e cru l trick . The a na a i i a e old wom n , in rr t ng th s str ng how the w as r an e story, told room g dly furnish d and had en e d of The a g t e l be in one corner it . e an had ade her a fire and had s rv ts m good , a e her a a and a a e e e it and a pl c d ch ir t bl b for , a n l rge lighted ca dle upon the table . They told her a w as her e and she th t b droom, might go h to ee e s e ea e . en her sl p wh n pl s d Th , wishing

- e ew i the good night, th y withdr , pull ng door a e e as to a the n quickly ft r th m, so h sp spri g e the a a w n sn ck in br ss lock th t as upo it . e e e e e she az e a i e at Wh n th y w r gon , g d wh l the fine e e no a as n e furnitur , und r sm ll to ishm nt that they should give such a room to so poor a e as e She w as a as e at e p rson h rself . b h d b ing the tenant of so grand an apartment and so fine a bed the a e n e n an , with dd d co v nie ce d a fire and not n comfort of , could quite u der stand the servants so numerously escorting her

8 0 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

ta e at she r e her S rtl d this thought, os from chair and kneeled down by the bedside to say her e she w s pray rs . While a praying the apparition e e a e n the and a e e r turn d , w lk d rou d room, c m clos he h had h e r . S e er ea but b hind it on mind to sp k , e she a e e she w as ea a e wh n tt mpt d it, so gr tly gitat d h a s e ea a . H e e a e th t could not sp k word th n, w lk d the o a a the o a e out of r om g in, pulling d or ft r him e She e e a en en as befor . b gg d th t God would str gth her and not ff e her be e e a , su r to tri d b yond wh t she was able to bear ; and then she recovered her e e e e and e ermi e if spirits , f lt mor confid nc , d t n d , the a a a a a ea ea to pp rition should g in pp r, to sp k

him if possible . H e e en a e in a a a e u pr s tly c m g in , w lk d ro nd , and cam e behind he r as before ; whereupon she a a are and a s id , Pr y , sir, who you , wh t do you want P The his n e and a a e ghost put up fi g r s id , T k ” the e can e and m e and . up dl follow , I will t ll you She ot o the an e and e him g up , to k c dl , follow d o ut he H e ed her a t . l of room through long , a e as a e e a e to the bo rd d p s g , till th y c m door of d e e e an e he ene an . oth r room , which op d , nt r d It was a a o or a mi be a e a a e sm ll r om, wh t ght c ll d l rg e clos t . As the o w as a and e e e to r om sm ll , I b li v d him ” H be a a she e at the . e spirit, s id , I stopp d door e and a a in not turn d s id , W lk , I will hurt you so e I walk d in . ’ I H e a e e a . sa s id, Obs rv wh t I do I id,

The box was en the a and duly s t to E rl , that nobleman returned a message to inform the poor woman that if she would come and e e in his a she be a r sid f mily, should comfort bly provided for all her days ; or that if she wished to e e e e e she be e liv ls wh r , should still look d e aft r . This and similar stories of apparitions haunt ing places f or a specific purpose which cannot be even hinted at until some spectator finds a e ea ee a e a cour g to sp k, would s m to indic t th t e a i e e e e the a e and p rson l nt r sts xist b yond gr v , ee a the a e e ee n ind d , mong m ny th ori s s ki g to account for ghosts and hauntings is found an a a the a ada e he e pplic tion of Biblic l g , W r your ” e h a e is e e ea be a . as tr sur , th r will your h rt lso It often been thought that the aff ections of the dead e e ea h and e n n the surviv th ir d t , dw ll lo g upo e e and the a e e a e e i e p opl pl c s th y h v lov d in l f . It is a ea a e b utiful thought, but c rri s with it, of e e the a a n a a if be n c ssity, pp lli g coroll ry th t it e the aff e e e a possibl for ctions to surviv , it is qu lly likely that hatreds are similarly immortal : and the mi a e a a e an e thus, in ini c l forc s in th t c s r g d a a the een w e a e g inst us in uns world , would h v some foundation for the once universal belief in e vil spirits .

The an en a - e of e n ci t m nor hous Cr slow , lo g e e m e a a an mi e t sinc b co f rm, st ds six l s nor h of e o n the a a Ayl sbury, ro d to Buckingh m . Not ea s e the a r dily vi ibl from highw y, you find it most easily by passing thro ugh the picturesque village CRE SL O W 83

and ab a a m e n of Whitchurch , out h lf il orth, look ing o ut for a not very prominent white - painted a e on the an ea n a g t right h d , l di g to rough

oa a m - a w a e n ee r d or f r tr ck hich, tr v rsi g thr a e i at as the an a p stur s , br ngs you l t to rom tic lly a e old e a s e n e e situ t d hous , lmo t tir ly surround d

e e - by nobl tre s and spacious rick yards . No explorer in beautiful Buckingham shire should on any account fail to visit Creslow : to come early and a n is n e e to it st y lo g , for it not o ly pictur squ , and the e a e e en subj ct of v gu ghostly l g ds, but is also possesse d of an exceedin gly romantic history ; and m e e has not ee a e the s e , or ov r, b n m d ubj ct of

- d an e ud e at e at e a n . y mod rn, ill j g t mpts r stor tio an are the e e e m M y pilgrims , by hors d v hicl s , otors ,

c e or on o e - or ycl s , f ot, who, with sk tch book a a e a u off the a to photogr phic m t ri ls , t rn high ro d ,

be warmly received by the farmer . Among the peculiarities of Creslow is the odd a a an a as e the ar f ct th t, st ding solit ry it do s, f m is a e a a e and m e e a a still s p r t co pl t p rish , with population return ed in many a census past as five he a e are the a e . Surrounding t f rmst ad f m d e a e and an e r e Cr slow p stur s , still for m y c ntu i s past ce lebrated for their exceptional fertility and e w en n e the an e e onc , h Crow prop rty, l d wh r on grazed the cattle that supplied the households of English m onarchs from the times of Queen

i a e to o e a e the e n . e El z b th th s of Ch rl s S co d Cr slow, hi ’ er e its a e i . e w ch d iv s n m from Christ s Low, . ’ ea and has a as e n Christ s M dow, still p tur k own ’ ” as ea e Lo w is the a e a s H v n s , sm ll st p ri h in 8 4 H A UN TE D H O USE S

i a hi e and has the a e e : the Buck ngh ms r , l rg st fi ld ”

ea a e a n n 3 2 a e . gr t p stur , cont i i g 7 cr s a the u e a ea e e and n Appro ching ho s , w th r d wor old building on the left hand first attracts a e e - u fine a tt ntion , with its block d p door of E rly n or e a e an na an E glish, v ry l t Tr sitio l Norm , hara hi a a e w as e the e . c ct r T s , now st bl , onc

a e a a e the a - u e and a ch p l tt ch d to m nor ho s , wh t is the a a w as n e a the a e now f rmy rd o c , in p rt, gr v a as e e a e in en y rd , discov ri s m d tr ching during recent years have proved . Beyond the chapel the worn gables and the a e e e e the e a old b ttl m nt d tow r of hug , r mbling ’ e e e e the ea an a s hous ris , mor lik cr tion of rti t s a a a a d e dre m th n ctu l brick an stone . You wond r w ho w as or e e e i and ed it , who th y w r , who bu lt liv so romantically in the long ag o : and the history f n a e ou e e e the o Bucki gh mshire duly t lls y . Th y w r e a a i e the an in 1 1 2 0 Knights T mpl rs , who cqu r d l d , and e e the s a e of th ir succ ssors, Knight Hospit ll rs h e a e . as ee es e St . John of J rus l m Much b n d troy d i e e da and e e a the s nc th ir y, much ls built, not bly a e a e an ad an a na g bl d Eliz b th ditions , but oct go l e a ee hi and a r ne turr t , with w lls six f t t ck, g oi d fin e e is of e e crypt with ly mould d ribs, th ir tim , e e a n e n a tog th r with ighbouri g crypt, known loc lly ” as the un e n and the o a D g o , of which cust m ry of a n the tale subterra ean passage is told . With confiscation of m onastic property under Henry the e a e the n s Eighth , Cr slow p ss d from K ight a e to the and the a e a w e Hospit ll rs Crown, lt r tions perceive to have been efiected were the resul t of

CRE S L o W 3 5

that change from semi - ecclesiastical to entirely ar hi secul owners p . Much excellent panelling remains in the diff ere ar of the u e characteristicall nt p ts ho s , with y Tudor plaster decorations in the hall A second period of alteration seems to have set in during the e of ar e the e an a e tim Ch l s First, wh n m y l rg e e e a i the a e e of windows w r cut, r pl c ng sm ll r on s a e the n of n e a n nci nt times . In divisio plu d r mo g the rebels and regicides following the execution o f a e the ir e a e i the a Ch rl s F st, Cr slow c m nto h nds e i a to was ra e of Corn l us Holl nd, whom it g nt d

by Parliament in 1 653 . That equall y fortunate and im pudent person subse quently petitioned Par liament for a grant towards repairing and — improving the house and w as duly awarded it ! ’ was he e a e h a e an It who des cr t d t e ch p l . Holl d s e a e the e ra i 1 660 prosp rity l st d until R sto t on, in ; and e e e a e and e ee th n nd d with qu k s tr mors ind d, he was e e e a ai e as a for not only j ct d , but tt nt d regicide The property then reverted to the was ease ear a e Crown, but l d , two y s l t r, to Sir T mas iff and e e f ee e to ho Cl ord , conv y d in simpl

his e o ff 1 6 3 . succ ssor, L rd Cli ord , in 7 Al though the haunted reputation of the old

m a - e u v no a e nor house of Cr slow s r ives in print, l t r manifestations than those narrated about 1 8 50

a e e . u a e was h v b en recorded Abo t th t tim , it a ra e a e e a who had ee an n r t d, g ntl m n b n , not m y ears ea e er ff the y rli r, High Sh i of county of

u n ams e e e a e - a at B cki gh hir , rod ov r to dinn r p rty r s h s w e a few mi es dis an C e low from i o n hous , l t t ; 8 6 HA UN TE D H O USE S and the e n e ee a and , night b comi g xc dingly d rk he was e to a e the stormy, urg d st y ov r until n —if he had e ee in the mor ing, no obj ction to sl p ” ha a unted ch mber . H e appears to have been one of your born i e a e se e es e e ea e nv stig tors (lik our lv s , r p ct d r d rs) , and he e e the t n of ee n w lcom d oppor u ity sl pi g, or seekin g sleep (as we would) in a room with such

a e u a n . w as not at an r p t tio But it with him, y rate an aff a a e a e n , ir of cour g ous p rl yi g with ghosts . H e e e e the e a a and e n did not b li v in sup rn tur l , b i g a m an of e i a e e e at ei pow rful bu ld , r th r r joic d b ng given an opportunity of conte nding with a e e a a susp ct d pr ctic l joker .

The room was prepared for him . H e would

a e ne e fire n - w as e h v ith r nor ight light , but provid d i a box f e a he t a w th of luci rs , th t might ligh an e he e h e in e c dl if wish d . Arming ims lf j st with a a and a a e he t a e cutl ss br c of pistols , ook s rio a e e the a and en e e comic f r w ll of f mily, t r d his e formidabl dormitory . In due u e ni a e : the sun e co rs mor ng d wn d ros , and a most bea utiful day succeeded a very w et d n The a and e e an dismal ight . f mily th ir gu sts

as e e the ea a - and e e s mbl d in br kf st room , v ry countenance seemed cheered and brightened by

the loveliness of the morning . They drew round e th the a en e e a e a . t bl , wh host r m rk d th t Mr S the e a of the au e a e was a e t n nt h nt d ch mb r, bs nt . e an was e n him to ea a A s rv t s nt to summo br kf st, he e e a n he had n e but soon r turn d , s yi g k ock d at his ece e no an e and loudly door, but r iv d sw r,

8 8 H A UN TE D H O USE S w as now e e u e a a ut out the p rf ctly q i t g in , I p a e n bed a nd n e as ee . c ndl , got i to , soo f ll l p w as a a a e The e w as now I g in rous d . nois u e a e e a ea e e the e lo d r th n b for . It pp r d lik viol nt of a ff e o e rustling sti silk dress . A s c nd tim I s ra of bed a e to the e e the p ng out , d rt d spot wh r e w as and e to a the e nois , tri d gr sp intrud r in my

a . a met e e e e rms My rms tog th r, but nclos d n Th he nothi g . e noise passed to another part of t and e ea the room, I follow d it, groping n r floor to e e n r s pr v nt a ything passing under m y a m . It w as a n e in v in ; I could do nothin g . The sou d di d at the a to the and all a a w as doorw y crypt, g in

. now e the a e still I l ft c ndl burning, though I e e ee r a a in the o n v r sl p comfo t bly with light r om , and e bed a a e a n e t not a w nt to g in , but c rt i ly f l little perplexed at being unable to detect the ca e of the e nor a n e a n us nois , ccou t for its c ss tio e the a e w wh n c ndl as lighted . There is a something in the name Manor u a ho se th t presupposes ghosts . Thus it is

a u the e e - ea e R am th t, looking pon pictur squ ly s t d u s a at e a e h r t F rm , L igh (which is loc lly styl d L e nea e n e nk y r Tonbridg , you o ly b gin to thi of ghostly possibilities when you learn that it

w as once a manor - house of the ancient Culpepper a a e the h o an o f f mily . According to H st d , ist ri

e the a a e e the Saxb s . K nt, m nor p ss d from th m to y A nn a ma e a h en and e e S xby rri d Rich rd C ildr , h r for ea e ha e in the many y rs th y lived . Ric rd di d

e in 1 53 a e e t - t ee e n old hous 7 , g d igh y hr , b i g

ee e his n hi e n e . succ d d by son , Joh C ldr n, of To bridg

90 H A UN TE D H O USE S

On the third occas ion they spoke to her and said they had been husband and wife and that their

a e w as en . e a ea e e a n m Childr Th y pp r d m l ncholy , and en e the au e e a wh Miss S inquir d c s , th y s id they had in life taken great pride and pleasure in e e and no w it e e k th ir hous , troubl d th m to now had a a e a it p ssed aw y from th ir f mily . It is to be observed at this point that neither nor S ne a of the Mrs . R Miss k w nything r of the old e nor had e e e ea histo y hous , th y v r h rd

of the unusual name of Children . Miss S her en of e a n and told fri d this conv rs tio , Mrs . R herself some weeks late r had a ghostly e r w s n n d monst ation . She as ha teni g dow from he r e oo dinne and w as u e i b dr m to r, occ pi d w th a h n a e she oh nyt i g but Spiritu l thoughts , wh n served in the empty space of the Open door the e ee and e be her en ea figur s s n d scri d by fri d cl rly, and in e a e en the a e and the d t il , v to broc d silk ’ e antique lace collar of the old lady s dr ss . No w as t e e n e e s word u t r d , but in lumi ous l tt r in ’ the grey haz e above the woman s figure appeared ” the d a e en e e a ate wor s D m Childr , tog th r with st M e e e e e e rs. to m nt, imp rf ctly r coll ct d by R , the eff e ct that her hopes and fears having been

e e ea she w as ea t . ntir ly of this rth, r h bound

- Mrs n e in the n o w as . Dow b low, dini g r om, ’ R — s e al n out a he was e of broth r , c li g th t tir d her e e she e nne . n waiting for di r Closi g y s , rush d the a a n and a s e a through pp ritio s , downst ir , xcl im ’ in her en ea Ive g to fri d , Miss S Oh , my d r, en walked through Mrs . Childr ! TH E CH ILD RE N FAMIL Y 9 :

the e e a a n . see N v r g i did Mrs R ghosts , but her e who a ea to a e een an fri nd , pp rs h v b ex e en m e m en e e and e en e c ll t diu , oft obs rv d , v h ld o ersa e a ea e c nv tions with th m, by which it pp r d ’ a the a na e was a and a he th t husb nd s m Rich rd , th t in 1 had died 753 . e ne the Inquiries w re set on foot . No of ” e a had e e ea the a e of en s rv nts v r h rd n m Childr , a the u se the e a n e had lthough n r , old st mo g th m,

e the ne o all her e . e liv d in ighbourh od lif Sophi , the er van in e had e e e a on s t qu stion , , how v r, r l ti s l at e ea and a e e iving Riv rh d , during visit th r m entioned the se ghostly appearan ces to one who had an ea ea e a a een e e , m y y rs rli r, ctu lly b in s rvic

at a . She in her n e n n R mhurst , tur , kn w othi g of the e a e e e a n en Childr n f mily, but r coll ct d h vi g, wh e e at a ea a e m an sa h rs lf R mhurst, h rd v ry old y that when a boy he had been a he lper in the kennels then kept at the manor - house by a a of t a a e f mily h t n m . the e 1 8 58 e a e wen him At clos of , Rob rt D l O , e n e e te in ua an e a and a s lf i t r s d spirit l m if st tions, en of a e n i e at e fri d Mrs . R m d i qu ri s L igh nd n e e h a To bridg . At L igh e found a record of one e e e 1 1 8 e a e G org Childr n , who in 7 l ft b quest for a weekly dole of bread to the poor of the a and an ea e e e e at To n p rish , of rli r G org , buri d

e . en a e e on e e o the bridg Ev tu lly , how v r, r f rring t a e of as e he o e e the a e n p g s H t d, disc v r d f cts r specti g a hi e e a e e Rich rd C ldr n already d t il d . Th y tallied exactly with what the apparitions had told Miss

s. 9 2 H A UN TE D H O USE S

The tale is still current in the ne ighbourhood that the house will be haunte d until the prope rty come s back into the Children family ; but not for many years past has any one been disturbed by or e h how ghostly sights sounds . Oddly noug , e e the a e of has ea ea e the v r, n m Children r pp r d in district . t e a and r a and the o Nor humb rl nd Du h m, c untry the o e an e e a are of Sc ttish bord rl d in g n r l , rich in e e a n e a e and a m n r put d h u t d c stl s m nsions . A o g e e is or w as ac to are the th s , , cording Augustus H , ’ v l s e t T re e yan s at a Wallin gto n . ” a t n a a e At W lling o , s id Augustus H r , who v e e e 1 8 62 are e e ui e isit d th r in , ndl ss s t s of huge o a t a e e and hin c e e r oms , only p r ly c rp t d t ly ov r d

t e ee t - en u t e a e e wi h ight n h c tury f rni ur , p rtly cov r d with faded tapestry . The las t of these is the ’ and a in t a a nte ghost room, W ll g on is still h u d house : awful noises are heard thro ugh the night ; footsteps rush up and down the untrodden passages ; wings flap and beat against the win dows ; bodiless people unpack and put away their things all night and e e n are e ea e e long, invisibl b i gs f lt to br th ov r ” li in d w you as you e be . But that as not quite so bad as the au e e a a ens in h nt d hous in W rwick G rd , e i — I ea the e e an an K ns ngton forb r numb r, l st y l d lord with a grievance against m e for taking away the character of his house should sue m e for — damages where the ghosts were sm elt as well as

e eat n e ou . a e eia f lt, br hi g ov r y Vulg r, pl b n ghosts e ea n these : th ir br th odorous of onio s . a e a u his e oo at Mr . H r fr nkly tho ght b dr m

9 4 H A UN TE D H O USE S

o n n f or e e e e n its a L do , v r r n wi g youth, is sorry e field for the amateur of haunted houses . Mor and e n es the e en and e mor , Lo don liv in pr s t forg ts the past ; and in the rebuilding of whole neigh bo urhoods there rem ain f ew darksome neglecte d spots for spirits to harbour in . Al as poor ghosts ! The a nte e in e e e ua e H u d Hous B rk l y Sq r , e e tan e e a is n e how v r, still s ds ; but v n th t no lo g r

a e nor e en e . ea a o w as h unt d , v mpty Y rs g , it n u ta un e and ffi e r i d bi bly occupi d , su ci ntly forlo n ; b ut there are those who declare it w as never a nte and a the w as n ee e e h u d , th t story i d d inv nt d a e o e s a n e of o by mor r l s popul r ov list years ag . we e a ma be the am u a n e Ho v r th t y , f o s h u t d house in Berkeley Square w as long one of those things that no country cousin co me up from the

o in e o n - se e n en e e pr v c s to L don on sight i g b t, v r in e to e e e will gly miss d ; but truth t ll , its xt rior is now a trifle disappointing to the casual se eker h e a te . e we t e a e no f r horrors Vi d in ft r on sunshin ,

the l a e e n the a a - with mi km n d liv ri g usu l h lf pint, o r ua as the ca e m a be as e e q rt, s y , it is just r sp ct ably commonplace as any other house of sim ilar a e e an e and e en at the e e l t G orgi p riod, v w ird strok of e e en the n eman c e tw lv , wh mid ight polic om s and thrusts a burly shoulder against the front

and e the a ea - a e or a e a ea door, tri s r g t fl sh s gl m ’ e the k e n o his - e e ov r itch n wi dows fr m bull s y ,

l - But there is nothing at a l hair raising about it . e e 50— f or ha the there w as a tim wh n No . t t is — number of it wore an exceedingly uncared - for a eara e a a n and e as e e pp nc , So p, p i t, whit w h w r “ ” T H E H A NT E D H O S E BE R KE L EY SQ UA RE . U U ,

W K A L L WAL O LE H O SE CH IS IC . P U , M

96 H A UN TE D H O USE S

e u the H e th y fo nd unfortunate man in a fit . e e e e a e e ea a di d , without v r b ing bl to r v l wh t It w as u e e o t is a . A sh dd ry p ndant t his story th t ch e a a e e n e n at a e whi t lls how, d nc b i g giv hous e a ad ea e a a the a n n xt door, l y l n d g inst w ll dividi g the a e e e and H unt d Hous from its n ighbour, s e an ne di tinctly f lt i xplicably dreadful shock . Apparently that haunted ro om is tenanted by the of an e e a a te ! a e ghost l ctric l b t ry App r ntly, a the has run and ee lso , ghost down not b n

- re a e the e e a ed. ch rg d , for hous is now t n nt There are legends that tell how tenants were at last found f or this uncanny house which at no one ta e The t ea ee m first would k . firs y r, it s s , the incoming tenant w as paid to take it ; the — — second if not previously frightened away he

e e - ee the he a a e ta liv d r nt fr ; third , p id c r in sum, c ease to the e e ea e the whi h incr d up s v nth y r, wh n n r e ea e ordi a y rental would b r ch d . T he e e of the e a . s cr t hous , ccording to Mr

ar e w as a e e a . Stu t Wortl y, th t it b long d to Mr Du Pr! of a na e , Wilton P rk, who shut his lu tic broth r one of the a s The a e was so e n in ttic . c ptiv viol t a he be f ed a e th t could only through hol . His groans and cries co uld be distin ctly heard in the e n u es n ighbouri g ho s . The house w as eventually let o n the ve ry e m £1 00 the s ea £ 2 00 the curious t r s of fir t y r,

e n and £3 00 the : the e an e s co d , third t n t to forf it

if he left within that period . Among the other repute dly haunte d houses o f

o n n the e - n n a e e in L do is w ll k ow W lpol Hous , BARBARA VILLIE R S 97

a se a a e Chiswick M ll , it lf thoroughf r with a e r e a e rom nc w itt n l rg upon it . Walpole House

is the finest of the old seventeenth - century houses now e an a e l ft upon this , in m y w ys , d lightful ’ - r river side ead. As Miss Pinkerto n s Academy ” f or a e a ea in Vanit Fair as Young L di s , it pp rs y ’ Becky Sharp s school ; but away back in 1 709 was the e e of the ea of a a a e it sc n d th B rb r Villi rs , e of e e a who e e in her Duch ss Cl v l nd , nd d sixty n ea hi had e e her ni th y r, from dropsy, w ch sw ll d ” gradua lly to a monstrous bul k . Tales have bee n of how a of her e to be ee told vision us d s n , — e a a e a e i . a. on und r f vour bl circumst nc s moonlit ,

but - a stormy nights , with cloud wr ck scudding a the sk — at a a in cross y window, with supplic t g hands entreating some one unknown to give m e back my lost beauty ! ! one Alas f or poor Barbara . No can do so much ; and the only trace s of that beauty are those to be the finel - e a e ra her found in y ngr v d port its of , a te a cou a n e e and e f r th t rtly p i t r, L ly, oth rs . e e she e e ea ea a r e Wh th r w r r lly b utiful , who sh ll p en to sa P w e are to e e e e e t d y For if b li v P pys , L ly e ta e a e t u to e s did not h si t to s crific r th courtlin s . ” ’ e li e was a e Pr tty, but not k , S mu l s criticism of the po rtraits of the se ladies of easy unconvention a who a e the a e the e n lity gr c d court of Ch rl s S co d , ” e n w as the e ea and are wid ly k o n L ly B uties . If they be the wicked who cannot rest in their a e but an e eas the ea gr v s , must w d r un ily upon rth , Barbara Villiers has every cause to haunt her old home ; f or she was perhaps the most completely 1 3 9 3 H A UN TE D H O USE S depraved of a dissolute number of women whose accommodatin g lack of morals was the scandal f h nu e i en o e en a ea a e . er v th t sy g Of m rous ch ldr , a e the e a n e e five and the Ch rl s S cond ck owl dg d , descendants of one of them hold the Duke dom a to da and ea ei a of Gr fton this y, b r in th r f mily n Ro the e e e of e n ame of Fitz y vid nc th ir origi . her old a e a a a e had ne In g B rb r Villi rs , who go the e e e and e e e compl t circuit of vic , whos v ry titl of Duchess of Cleveland w as a badge of her n a e a e a n e e : an e en i f my, b c m co v rt to Rom v t which drew from Bishop Stilling fleet the remark that If the Church of Rome has not gained more by her than the Church of England has

the a e be . lost, m tt r will not much It has already been remarked that London

' m akes a poor questing ground for ghosts ; but at this very moment (April 1 907) the letter in e e nea a ea e The Cit pr t d b th, which pp r d in y P r ess see n a e a the n ann is , ms to i dic t th t U c y

not e i e e the o . xt nct, v n in City of L ndon

“A LO NDON WALL MYSTE RY

‘ To the E ditor of Ihe City Pr ess

a e a i e On Sund y night, whil w lk ng hom on a a e th e down L don W ll, I p ss d by e old pi ce of ’ London Wall which is railed off from the a en as ro d . Sudd ly I w aware of a hand and arm e e out the ai b sa e str tch d from r lings to ar my pas g . e n a e e off the av m n n B i g sc r d , I jump d p e e t i to

CHAPTER V

SO ME RECE NT INSTA NCES

— T he T enant of Silverto n Abbey The Strange Case o f Ballechin — - House Bayhall Manor ho use .

CO E S PO D E T he S tanda r d e A RR N NT , writing to som ea a o a e a n s e e a y rs g , compl in d of h vi g di cov r d en ne a n e e a a n g ui h u t d hous , much g i st his will , and ea e n a 108 3 his gr tly to his p cu i ry . By own n he was an n an f a e on e x showi g , I di o fici l , hom en e ea e and w as ff e e and a five t d d l v , o r d , took , ’ ea ease of a n an n e n y rs l cou try m sio , Silv rto e at £2 00 a ea The a e— he e Abb y, y r . pl c t lls us — this w as not the real name of it had been empty e ea n was e ed to the for som y rs , owi g , it r port , difficulty of coming to terms with the landlord ;

and it bore a look of long neglect . Weeds thre e feet high choked the garden ; but they did no t

a n the - be enan who h the d u t would t t, thoug t placing of the garden in order would be a pleasant

and e e in a n . H e at an a e int r st g occup tio , y r t , e e en e difliculties the a and xp ri c d no with l ndlord, in due course came to terms and entered into e e be nor aff of e possession . N ith r his st s rvants had any idea of the place be in g haunted ; but the first suspicion of som ething being wrong w as early mi he had not n een et e in co ng , for t y lo g b s tl d m “ SIL VE R T ON A BBE Y 1 0 1

the house before the maids were frightene d o ne — evening by a Something it is more terrible an d mysterious when you print it with a capital S en a n the n e the e es viol tly r ttli g wi dows . Th n gov rn s a ne a as she la a a e one n a a compl i d th t y w k ight t ll , a a ea a e e a e d rk l dy , with h vy bl ck y brows , c m to a the bed and a e as if to he r w rd m d strangle . The e ee e ne v e of i n old Scotch hous k p r, with r s ro , had her blood almost turned to water and her

iron - clad nerves severe ly wrun g one night by a

blood - curdling shriek ; and the maste r of the house h se a a e n e saw the bed im lf, lying w k , o c distinctly

room door - handle t urned and the door pushed en an h m n h e n d not in e i . a ee op , g co T is must h v b the ll a a . hi worst of I t nk , for my p rt, I would a e ee th e n h s e a ad ne . n ee r th r Som thi g th t do it I d d , I have a very vivid re collection of seeing and

hearing a door - handle turn without any visible ag en cy ; but it w as a case of the handle being a and h c ught sudden ly releasin g itself . Al l t e sa e w as the ean le e e a ex m , it in m whi , b for th t a a e e e e a a a a pl n tion pr s nt d its lf, p rticul rly h ir ai i r s ng sight . A e e e e e a an f e a the e a ft r th s s v r l m i st tions , t n nt — of Silverton Abbey slept when he could — sleep with a lighted lamp and a loaded revolver

e e . e he and his e a a ne b sid him Wh n s rv nts compl i d , the u - at l en n e ue co ntry folk gth fou d th ir tong s , and w e a n the e to be o n d to h ving lo g known hous , e e au e H e a a by r put , h nt d . n turally felt ggrieved that no one should have hinted anything of the kind before he w as committed to £200 a year for H A UN T E D H O USE S

five ea and in i to the e e a e the y rs, wr ting Pr ss b w il d a a the law o n a n of e e f ct th t would not , ccou t th s e na a en e e him be sup r tur l occurr c s , h lp rid of his ” na e a a n The n h law unfortu t b rg i . E glis , his him e not e n e h solicitor told , do s r cog is g osts .

Some sceptical frie nds pooh - poohed the idea of the ann and a be the a e n a unc y, scri d h pp ni gs to r ts ” B t e e h e h a . u t e t e or dr ughts , obj ct d writ r of “ ‘ e e whose te s n in e n e l tt r, foots ps ou d Silv rto Abb y ’ at ea n ! a s a e . a d d of ight R ts , y som R ts do ’ - n a e . a am . not tur door h ndl s Dr ughts , I told Rats and draughts do not raise unearthly yells ” in corridors . This unfortunate tenant at last found the place en a e and a no e e ffe un dur bl , could obt in b tt r o r for the e n tee a e of ad hous , includi g four n cr s p dock , ea than £50 a y r . This m ay fitly introduce the story of Ballechin e a w the e and a ien in Hous , th t, o ing to clos p t t vestig ations of the sounds heard and the shapes een and ar n ai to e e the s in ou d it , bids f r b com n prim e modern instance of alleged haunti gs . O ne of the most fully ascertained and abun dantly witnessed modern instances of hauntings is that e xemplified in the strange case of Ballechin e e e ul set a an a Hous , P rthshir , d y forth in subst ti l e e le The A lle ed H auntin o B volum ntit d , g g f H ouse a e n e n w as i e , of which s co d ditio publ sh d in B llechin e e not a a t 1 900. a Hous do s look rom n ic ui i and has e the sti ma ta the b ld ng , non of g of is e e e the ro abodes of ghosts . It not d s rt d ; of a ea be s u d the wi d s are pp rs to o n , n ow in g ood

1 04 H A UN TE D H O USE S

to have had the approval of Captain Ste wart

himself . It should be stated at once that there is no indiscretion committed here in publishing these na e and a e a e a the na e are m s f cts , b c us , lthough m s withheld in the title and in the contents of the a ea en ne e are as a a e book lr dy m tio d , th y , m tt r of a a ea e the na e e f ct, lr dy public prop rty, m s b ing free ly divulged in the communications on the subj ect made to the M es in June 1 8 9 7 by a r e en and the e a ea e e cor spond t, in som wh t h t d corr s onden e e p c that follow d . Some mention of the more modern portion of the Ste wart family history must here be inter d Ball h h h o late . ec in e ad een t e e p Hous b prop rty , and the e e e a e a 1 8 3 4 r sid nc , of M jor St w rt from to 1 8 76 e he e and w as ee e the , wh n di d , succ d d by e son e a on n e n s cond of his sist r M ry, who i h riti g a e the n e e a The old a a . ssum d m of St w rt M jor , as he n n at Ballechin a ea to a e is still k ow , pp rs h v e en a e e h a r n b v ry eccentric person . H ad p ofou d e e in and e e en own b li f spirits , spok fr qu tly of his en as e int tion to return after death . H e w v ry fond and e a a e n m e of e in and of dogs , k pt l rg u b r th m about the house ; and often declared his belief in the an mi a n and en n of tr s gr tio of souls , his int tio making his post - mortem reappearance in the body f e e o a particularly favour ite black spaniel . Th s of t- repeated intentions so greatly impressed his re a e and e ha en the a e l tiv s h irs t t wh M jor di d , in 1 8 6 t e to e e a a e a all 7 , h y ok sp ci l c r th t his dogs , een n e not e the a fourt in umb r, forg tting bl ck anie e a e be h ee s sp l, should imm di t ly shot . T is s m TR AN SMIGRA TION 1 05

’ conclusive evidence that the Major s spiritual e i society w as not d s red . But the mere execution of these unfortunate

dogs does not seem to have been sufficient . Dis e mbodied spirits would appear to have more e at an a e e a e e r sources comm d th n g n r lly susp ct d, and woul d certainly seem (if w e are to believe the evidence of the hauntings of Ballechin H ouse) to be a e not n a a ma n bl , only to i h bit ni ls, but to bri g the ghosts of animals in evidence to the senses of Th u e a a e and . e a sight, sm ll , touch s p rn tur l m ni ’ f estations e an not n a e the a e ease b g lo g ft r M jor s d c . The w ife of his nephew w as one day making up her household books in the room that had once ’ ee the a and was b n old m n s study, thinking of a a e a the a w e the old nything r th r th n of p st, h n familiar doggy scent the room had once worn ca e e e i a and she e e e m ov rpow r ngly b ck, f lt h rs lf i u e e e e re dist nctly p sh d by som invisibl forc , e s mbling that of an animal . Other incidents occurred from time to time n and u e e e e knocki gs, so nds lik xplosions, or p opl quarrelling ; but the great era of hauntings did

not set as a ea a e 1 896 . the in, lr dy st t d, until But ’ ea the a e e and e r in d th of old M jor s n ph w h i , an a 1 89 5 was a e e s e a J u ry , tt nd d by om unusu l

a es . H e w as al i on the circumst nc t k ng, morning of a e a e o n to his a e his d p rtur for L ndo , g nt, in

e - e ee ra e e ea busin ss room, wh n thr ps w r h rd, loud e to e the n e a n H e w as no nough int rrupt co v rs tio . s iritualist and not ee n i e e the a p , , s ki g to nt rpr t r ps , set off f or o e he w as c e L ndon, wher kno k d down 1 06 H A UN TE D H O USE S

in the s ee a ab and c e . a ea tr t by , kill d It pp rs to have been the opinion of the late Marquis of Bute a t the a e e w a n and a had e th r ps w r r ings, th t, th y been interpreted by the usual methods of a s! ances the ee ac en in spiritu listic , str t cid t would e w a ha e ee a e e Th ea n ee som y v b n v rt d . e r soni g s ms

cloudy . But to come to the tenancy of the experi

enta o . L e a a m lists in spo ks ord But , M jor T ylor,

an d Miss Goodrich - Free r assembled thirty - five es in t n se m gu ts his cou try hou , most of who knew n n e a n and ns e e e s othi g of its r put tio , co id r d th m elves

be n an na nt - e a e to o ly ordi ry cou ry hous p rty . Th ea w as w be e e e e u e an id , it ill p rc iv d , to xcl d y suspicion that the obj ect in view w as to declare a belief in the supernatural manifestations said to an u n be const tly occ rri g . It w as determined that there should be no suspicion of collusion or es the e the u e n e e sugg tion , obj ct of inq iry b i g m r ly to observe and not to proclaim either a belief or a

e t the e en e . e e sc p icism in xist c of ghosts Thus, th r no at e at fine n in the no r an is t mpt writi g book , y appearance of advocacy for or against ; and m ore readers of the ordinary ghost - story m ay fee l disappointed in its pag es ; but they have some and ee a sa e a n the thrills cr py p s g s, notwithst ndi g a a e an a e and the a cold, disp ssion t l gu g form l a e a e en of the a e a e and tabul t d st t m ts pl c s, d t s, hours o f the sounds and appearances recorde d . W e m ay pas s over the daily and nightly dish of na n n the the shufliin of deto ti g sou ds in corridors , g s e e ee the e of an e m an and lipp r d f t, voic s invisibl

1 08 H A UN T E D H O USE S

one da r m a e e e ea a e w as y f o s v r h d ch , trying to pass the time with setting up a cam era in one of

the r . H e a e sa had a a ooms , str ng to y, bl ck a e own the e and he sp ni l of his in hous , thought h saw run a t e . e a e he it cross room It look d l rg r, an ow n and en he saw his thought, th his dog ; th dog run into the room after it and wag his tail and ee ea e at the e s m pl s d me ting . Casual mention of the incident elicited the fact that there was no e ea oth r corpor l spaniel in or about the place . For guests to be pushed and snuffled at by n e w as a e e and i visibl dogs common occurr nc , ’ as ai n e a e sounds of dogs t ls striki g , in b ing w ggl d , and a o e e n ua ear on doors w insc ts, w r co tin lly h d e ea e whil r l undoubt d dogs , with no suspicion of a n a e ul f e e nythi g ghostly bout th m, wo d r qu ntly be observed watchin g the movements of persons or e e e an e ne things invisibl to m r ly hum yes . But o of the most unnerving experiences was that of one ad e e e a the a e e of two l i s who w r sh ring s m b droom . She was wakened in the middle of the night by the frighte ned whimperings of a pet dog sleeping on the bed and n in the e n , , looki g round dir ctio of ’ the a a a e she saw — a n P nim l s g z , wh t thi k you nothing but two black paws on a table beside the bed An equally disturbin g experience was that of a gentleman who saw a detached hand in the air at the his bed a e e foot of , holding crucifix ; but th s l a a a e the a were not a l . With bo rd c ll d by uthor of the book Ouij a - which seems to have been a n a e e ar to not e a co triv nc v ry simil , if id ntic l with,

1 1 0 H A UN T E D H OUSE S

o ld a can be a e a to the e n its mo t, tr c d b ck r ig of n h Ki g Jo n . For seve ral weeks pas t persons r e siding in the immediate neighbourhood have been a t e nea n e and ans and a st r l d by u rthly ois s gro , m ny of the villagers have been heard to declare that he a e een t n a t y h v s ghos ly figures walki g bout . Such has been the sensation cause d in Tunbridge

Wells that a number of well - known gentlemen have visited the house and heard what they believe ’ to be e Th e a e e true spirit nois s . e inv stig tors w r a e h ea and a of an rm d wit h vy sticks, for upw rds hour awaited the first sound which w as to signalise he e e t pr s nce of ghosts . to the one e According story told by of th m , they were straining eye and car when suddenly a rumbling noise like the dragging of some heavy f body across the floor broke the silence o night . O ne or two of the explorers were paralysed with ea the e e e ffi en u a e to f r, but r st w r su ci tly co r g ous n e th the e a e e e w as a e t r e house . In c ll r b low th r e n t e a and the succ ssio of huds, follow d by gro ns ,

res ult was that the party beat a hasty retreat . a e ee a e a e ha e Visits h v b n p id by oth r p rti s , who v ’ e o h h e t e an as e e . ea e t e r p rt d gro s t rribl M nwhil , village is besieged daily by visitors from all parts the and e e a m en a e ee e of county, s v r l h v b n post d ” round the ruins to prevent damage being done . This interesting place is situated near Pembury een and ea e ee a e a e Gr , is r ch d by thr qu rt rs of mil of exceedingly steep and rough pathways leading

ho - a n en at as the is through p g rde s . Wh l t spot

ai e th r - e of s e in a g n d, e old mano hous , built ton , H O S E GRE A T BA YH A LL M A NO R U .

1 1 2 H A UN TE D H O USE S

Iro n bars ar e fixed across the openin g of the and has n ee a as e c n tomb, it lo g b n p tim with ou try a to e to ea e r l ds drop ston s through, h r th m d op ” u e e fin mi caw e . o t r th r , st r ee a e a a a e s As sh r m tt r of f ct, you c nnot t st thi ea eas e ecau e the a se and f rful pl ur , b s v ult is clo d the e r - e op ning is only that of a small ai chamb r . t e e are m an e en e the a e of But h r y vid c s , in sh p

a - a e a n the i e and the h lf burnt m tch s rou d gr ll , in s e e and the a e e ton s push d through , pl st r pick d out the a a the e n of church w lls , th t story is w ll know and t e s e h place plentifully vi it d . be a e the a e of n e It should dd d , for guid nc i t nd in s a ea Ba hall an - e g pilgrim , th t Gr t y M or hous is e ee e e quit thr mil s from P mbury old church ,

Pembury Green being a modern haml et . E B RY CH RCH YAR D : TO B O F MR AN N WES T. P M U U M S.

1 1 4 HA UN T ED H O USE S

the w e e and e es n e e bro ni s, sprit s , lv of E glish l g nd , “ and greatly resemble the boggarts of Lancashire

- e The i o is arac e i folk lor . follow ng st ry ch t r stic of h t e kind . Am ong the many striking legends that once abounded in the now almost wholly comm ercialised Lancashire districts w as that of Boggart Hole e a a e e ee a e e Clough , onc rom ntic d ll b tw n M nch st r

and e an a - e a had Middl ton, with old f rm hous th t been occupied once upon a time by one George e The a e ff e e Che tham . bogg rt liv d indi r ntly in the Clough (a name paralleled in the Transvaa l ’ the e e e e by Bo r word kloof or in G org s hous , and a e e e na e n m d hims lf thoroughly obj ctio bl , cryi g ’ at a e e a a en u et night with voic lik b by s p ny tr mp ,

' and even in daytime snatching away the children s ea and e a hin e n e br d butt r, or d s g down th ir porri g rs ’ ea and he 0 ni h of br d milk . In t dead ght t e bog a wo a a a ea ea e g rt uld w lk bout with h vy tr d , lik a of a e n ea e l th t p rso w ring wood n clogs, or wou d

the bed- a e en on the es pull curt ins , or v sit ch ts of e e bed al t ff at n e . a e p opl in , mos su oc i g th m At r r e a e a e en and int rv ls this d moni c visitor would r l t, the ern o r the and churn milk ov ight, scour pots pans ; but the se kindly interludes did not suffice e e ee a and en e a l G org Ch th m his torm t d f mi y, who e e e to m d cided to r mov so e other spot . Everythin g w as a e and t e e e en e wa p ck d up , h y w r w ding th ir y h w e m e to t e ne e e t a e . hom , wh n th y n ighbour ’ e aun e he n So y re g P xclaimed t eighbour . “ ” “ ’ Yes a e e the o t hev , s id G org ; worry ” o t i omm s k lled my poor dame . TH E CA ULD LA D 1 1 5

Instantly there cam e a voice from a churn ’ ”

A a ne e e t n o see . y, y, ighbour, w r fli ti g, y ” O d ro t hee e a e the n a e t , xcl im d u h ppy Georg ’ ’ if n e tho u d bin t n too wadn t ha I k ow d fli ti g , I ’

i e a e . N a use w e m a as st rr d p g y, tis no , Molly , y ’ ” e a a en th w ll turn b ck g to owd house .

the a e ar . n e So much for r c of bogg ts A oth r, and e e na e t e of is the n s l ss obj ctio bl , yp spirit i du trio us kind that (in legends) churns the butte r ern a e the a e and i e the ov ight, w sh s pl t s d sh s in e and ene a die th e scull ry, g r lly ti s up e dom stic department ; and is usually represented in folk lore as being highly off ended when these ser vices r an wa a n e e re ar a e in y y ck owl dg d or w ded . n a e now a ne a Hylto C stl , nothing but rui d g te e ea n e a w as a be hous , n r Su d rl nd , long s id to haunted by a spirit called the Cauld Lad of ” n in a t he has a e Hylto , which, l hough ttribut s el w e av e no f special to hims f, h di ficulty in n the e recognizi g typ . The Cauld Lad w as more often heard than ee w as e e a e o to be a s n , but g n r lly und rst od H e a n e the e and e nak ed spirit . h u t d kitch ns th ir e a en s and w as of the subordinate d p rtm t , true e t e e n a n industrious Browni yp , d lighti g in pl ci g e e e and en a e e everything in p rf ct ord r, r g d wh n his O he foun d no w ork to hand . n such occa sions he would employ himself in creating a of e : m a hi the ea a e scene d struction s s ng br k bl s , he a e e and a e n n mixing t s lt, p pp r, sug r ; ov rtur i g

e e m the a e n the flour - bin th milk , ptying sh s i to , ne a t n e e a u a and ge r lly compor i g hims lf lik l n tic . 1 1 6 H A UN TE D H O US E S

The ervan e e not n ma be s e in s ts w r lo g, it y uppos d , ’ humouring the Cauld Lad s singular passion for n im work ; and soon learned the trick of pleas i g h . Why it should ever have been sought to banish u e a e ann be e e it so s ful sprit c ot discov r d , but was found that the way to be rid of him w as to f e The w as present him with a suit o cloth s . suit — accordingly made a handsome suit of Lin coln — een n a and and set e e gr , i cluding clo k hood b for the fire ; and the servants sat up to the Witching see t e a a e a hour of midnight, to how h ir mi bl unp id h if t e e helper received t e g t . Punctually a tw lv the Cauld Lad appeared and stood warming him h h w h e self by t e dying fir e . Then e sa t e cloth s ’ — Queen Mah s ow n green livery tried them on e and e a e a the with d light, th n g mboll d bout e u the e e the a n en kitch n ntil hour b for d w , wh , ra n a a he e a e d wi g his clo k bout him, xcl im d

’ ’ H ere s a c oa and here s a hood l k, The Cau Lad of H ton wi do no m ore ld yl ll good .

Lad ea At times the Cauld would r ppear . The reason of these reappearances is not stated ; but it m ay be hazarded that it w as for as good a — reason as any that m ay be imagined because the was and he suit worn out wanted another . The wings built on to the ancient castle gate ’ w ay in 1 73 5 were the scene of the Cauld Lad s hauntings ; but they have long since been de m olished and the Lad has no w no e and poor hom , is not known ever to have appeared in the still e a e u e T er e w s ean xisting G t ho s ow . H a a cl ly

1 1 8 H A UN TE D H O USE S

M esson n a n e . om a d a h u t d Mr p his f mily, of e i e 1 661 f or ea T dworth in Wiltsh r , in , n rly two a ye rs . This e xtraordinary aff air is written of at n e a e e e Glanvil in co sid r bl l ngth by Jos ph , his contemporary work o n witchcraft entitled S a d see a a ducismus Tr iump ha tus . It ms th t in M rch Mom esson e e e 1 661 . , Mr p committ d to Glouc st r a as a r e and a a a n a e a G ol , ogu v g bo d , b gg r who had been wandering about the county playing a a e and s a the upon l rg drum, oliciting lms, to ’ Th an great annoyance of quiet people . e m s ’ Mom o n a a . ess n s a e e drum ppe rs, in Mr p bs c in n a e een e n n ea n Londo , to h v b , for som u know r so , e his u e at e on the e o f s nt to ho s T dworth , bord rs Salisbury Plain ; and when that gentlem an re ne e he ea a the am had een tur d hom , h rd th t f ily b e the e a na n e greatly disturb d by most xtr ordi ry ois s, e ie e at first thought to hav been caused by th v s . e e m a e an e can be But thi v s do not k y nois , if it

e e and a e w as a a ne . hr ee h lp d , so th t th ory b ndo d T af e his e m sson e . Mo e nights t r r turn , Mr p hims lf ea the e a ea e to be a h rd nois s , which pp r d th t of a ea n at the and at the gr t knocki g doors, out ” e of the a an e e en to a sid w lls . This ch g d pr s tly thumping and drumming on the top of the ' ” and e e he se ee e ofi t air . hou , th n by d gr s w nt into w as e e e e Mom esson con It som tim b for Mr . p nected these disturban ces with the drum mer he had e e e the u mi n the s nt nc d, but dr m ng duri g succeeding month became so noticeable that the

sug g estion became inevitable . To make the con TH E DE MON OF TE D WOR T H 1 1 9 nection e e a a e the e e mor c rt in , it inv d d room wh r the e had ee a e and drum its lf b n pl c d, during four or five nights in every week would beat military a o e e n i the a t ttoos , fr m b dtim u t l sm ll hours of the n h n . a e t e e n e a e morni g L t r, d mo tur d its tt n to the e ea e e s ea s tion childr n, b ting th ir b d t d with so much violence that every one e xpected ” e a e e e a e th y would f ll in pi c s . It would th n sh k the en e e e and childr , lift th m up in th ir b ds , at u e th e as a e . scr ch nd r b ds , with iron t lons On the 5th of November it made a mighty noise ; and a ser vant observin g two boards in ’ the e ee n e be childr n s room s mi g to mov , bid it e one the giv him of them . Upon which board came (nothing moving it that he saw ) within a a of The m an a e N a let m e a e y rd him . dd d, y, h v a the e it in my h nd upon which spirit , d vil , or drumme r pushed it towards him so close that he mi e Glanvil ght touch it . This , continu s , w as the a i e and w as ee a e in d yt m , s n by whol of e e n e t a roomful p opl . That morni g it l f e e e in w as e sulphur ous sm ll b h d it, which v ry ff e o nsive . “ the e o ne a and At night , minist r, Mr . Cr gg , se e a the ne a e to the e on v r l of ighbours, c m hous

a t. . ra en to a e e visi Mr C gg w t pr y rs with th m, ’ ee n at the e e s e e e kn li g childr n s b d id , wh r it e e a e e e e and n th n b c m v ry troubl som loud . Duri g prayer- time the spirit withdrew into the cock e e as n as a e s e e ne loft , but r turn d soo pr y r w r do ; and en s t the a the a s th , in igh , of comp ny , ch ir a e a t the e m e e the i w lk d bou room of th s lv s , ch l 1 2 0 H A UN TE D H O USE S

’ en s e e e e e e ead and dr sho s w r hurl d ov r th ir h s , e e e n e a the a e v ry loos thi g mov d bout ch mb r . At the sa e m e a bed- taff w as wn at the m ti , s thro i e him i on the le so min st r, which hit g , but favourably that a look of wool could not have a e e f ll n mor softly . O n an e a n the a the oth r occ sio , bl cksmith of a e a e w a e ne e nor vill g , f llo who c r d ith r for ghost e e n the a a he a d vil , sl pt with Joh , footm n , th t lso ea the a e and be e of his might h r disturb nc s , cur d incredulity ; when there came a noise in the as one had een e n a e and room if b sho i g hors , e a a e as e e a a n e s som wh t c m , it w r with p ir of pi c r , ’ snipping and snapping at the blacksm ith s nose the ea e a he n e da ca e gr t r p rt of t ight . N xt y it m an n e a ea u n p ti g, lik dog out of br th ; po which some woman present took a bed- staff to knock at w as a en her an it , which c ught sudd ly out of h d , and a a and an the thrown w y ; comp y coming up, room w as presently filled with a bloomy noisom e e and was e fire sm ll , v ry hot, though without , in ” e nd e e e n e in a a a e . e v ry sh rp s v r wi t r It s ms , to a e een e as e a e as a short, h v b quit obj ction bl

- motor omnibus . The n otoriety of these happenings spread to an e en a the a e the e n such xt t th t King, Ch rl s S co d , en a R a to re s t down oy l Commission inqui , but so long as the Commissioners were at Tedworth as e had a en nothin g happened . So soon th y t k t e e a e the n e na e recom h ir d p rtur , i f r l drumm r m enced his an in the e sen e u e s tics , pr c of h ndr d ’ an Mom esson w ho a e to ear d ma e . s c m h rv l Mr . p

H A UN TE D H O USE S

w as a he a a e e n and the it s id , m n g d to r tur , disturbances continued at intervals for several e y ars . Furious co ntroversies have raged around this s the em n e e w and tory of D o Drumm r of T d orth , eve n in the superstitious ag e when these mani f estations occurred those we re not f e w who refused e e e in s e n a en to b li v up r atur l ag cy . Mr . Mom pesson him self w as suspected (quite unreasonably) by some of be ing conce rned in the m ystification ; but a e as 1 6 2 ten ea a e the e en so l t 7 , y rs ft r v ts na a e a e he te e m n de n an rr t d bov , wro sol ly nyi g y knowledge of how the disturbance s had been If h n t ea e d. t e o t be e e i he cr t world will li v , “ n e ha be n ff e e n m e a in co clud d , it s ll i di r t to , pr y g ee m e m the sam e the e God to k p fro , or lik , ” aff n lictio . s s t n the a Trick y pirits of his ki d , or of C uld Lad e s en e r the ses e a u typ , hould r d hou th y f vo r w ith their pre se nce the ve ry paradise of cl umsy fin ered se r ant se ea a es eas be g v s , who br k g could ily accounte d for by supernatural agency : the usual ’ e u e ea e m m it m e e es in m e xc s of, Pl s , , co to pi c “ ” “ The cat did e n eas e or it, b comi g Pl , ’ m the a a bin at a a n i e m , C uld L d s it g i wh l every satanic crash could be as cribed to that e som hi k r ts he s e th re et n wot o n t cull ry . It w as doubtless a poltergeist of unusual en u an e a a te e d r c , or comp ny of pol rg ists , who e e e one an t e the w ho a e r li v d o h r in work , origin t d and continue d for more than thre e years the n e na n es at am e e e ea i f r l shi di S pford P v r ll, n r T H E SAMPFORD GH OS T 1 2 3

e n e e e a s in the Tiv rton , lo g sinc b com cl s ic, ’ e a e N ar r ative o the Sam or d R v . C l b Colton s f pf host G . April 1 8 1 0 w as the date when the Sampford ghost became active in a house in the village n The a a tenanted by Mr . Joh Chave . pp rition of a woman had been seen at an earlier date by an a e had a e a e he ea pprentic , who lso d cl r d h rd inexplicable noises at night ; but the one w as se t to the e a and the down lying d pr vity of youth, e e the a f other to rats . Conc iv disgust of sel e e n e en a in e e r sp cti g ghost, or v romp g polt rg ist, at being mistaken for rats ! And it really seems as though the demonstrations that followed were e e to n e the ce a a d sign d co vinc most s ptic l th t, a e e a e the a a o w as not a wh t v r c us d hull b lo , it r ts . The a e the e e e e e en in ch mb rs of hous w r fill d, v a m e e e and n an d yti , with thund rous nois s, upo y persons stamping several times on the floors of the a e e e e upst irs rooms , th y would find th ms lv s — — imitated only much louder by this mysterious a e a e the e n to a e g ncy, which c us d v ry floori g vibr t and en a f e to s d up sm rt spurts of dust, su fici nt lf th e a ha blind e experim nt lists . These malicious spirits grew more darin g as e of en e i time went on . A numb r wom s rvants n the e— a en en and n a a hous M ry D nis, s ior ju ior, M rth

o Ann i . t and a a e Wo dbury, M lls , Mrs Pi ts , S lly C s ’ — e e e e e as e la bed 0 w r v ry spit fully us d , th y y in s e n ea e n e an e night , b i g b t n by i visibl h ds until th y and e n to e e a . . w r bl ck blu Accordi g Mr Colton , who claimed to have heard upwards of two 1 2 4 H A UN TE D H O USE S

hundre d violent blows in one night delivered a bed the n w as e a a n upon , sou d lik th t of stro g m an ri w all en e st king ith his might, with cl ch d T h of ro fists . hey must have been t e spooks p f essional e s f or a e a e as bruis r , on m mor bl occ ion A nn e e e a can n be e e Mills r c iv d wh t o ly d scrib d , the ea an a e the e as in b utiful l gu g of Priz Ring,

a one - er on the check which left a swelling ’ at least as big as a turkey s e g g upon her

a e . e ee to a of f c Mr . Colton th n proc ds t lk h e a e t e . e visibl m rks l ft by spirits Visibl , indeed ! Ann Mills voluntarily made oath that she w as alone in the bed when she receive d the e a blows from an invisibl h nd and Mrs . Dennis and Mary Woodbury swore before three witnesses that they were beaten until they e e e e and e e e m a a w r b numb d, w r sor for ny d ys is e a a e ha e e r after . It not r m rk bl t t th s to m ented domestics refused any longer to use the room where they had been so severely a e he e e e eu n a e ee h ndl d . T y w r th r po llow d to s k d e th . n shelt r in e room occupied by Mr a Mrs . h Th a e e e so e ad e ea e . e Ch v ; but v n , th y littl p c candles had been put out and quiet had reigned a an en a a e n an e for h lf hour, wh l rg iro c dl stick

e a a n a a . a e n b g n w lki g r pidly bout . Mr Ch v , tryi g to the e en na e ca e e n ring b ll , th rrowly s p d b i g the ea the a e t a e hit on h d by c ndl s ick , which c m u at him in the a h rtling d rk . The Reverend Caleb Colton narrates how he often heard the curtains of the bed violently a a e ac an e a and a t git t d , comp i d with loud lmos

TH E SAMP FORD GH OS T 1 2 5

e a e the n e e ta n ind scrib bl motion of ri gs . Th s cur i s , e e e to e en e n four in numb r, w r , pr v t th ir motio , en e ea in one a e e oft ti d up , ch l rg knot . Ev ry ta a bed w as a ta e and the n cur in of th t gi t d , k ots thrown and whirled about with such rapidity that it woul d have been unpleasant to be within the sphere of their action . This lasted about tw o minutes and concluded with a noise resembling h f n n nd t e tearm o e . a a . a e g li , Mr T ylor Mr Ch v ,

of e e e a ne e . n e a na M r , b ing lso wit ss s Upo x mi tion , a rent w as found acro ss the grain of a strong new ” co tton curtain . ’ Sounds of a something like that of a man s foot in a slipper coming downstairs and passing

through the wall were heard . I have been in ” the act en a the a a e e of op ing door, n rr tiv continu s , when a violent rapping w as produced on the opposite side of the sam e door I paused a e and the a n n e : en mom nt, r ppi g conti u d I sudd ly e e the a an e in an et Op n d door , with c dl my h d , y I ea o see n a e can sw r I c uld othing . I h v been in one the a has a a e e n of rooms th t l rg mod r window, en the e n n on the wh , from nois s , k ocki gs , blows bed and a n the a n ea e , r ttli g of curt i s , I did r lly b gin the e a e r w as a n to think whol ch mb f lli g in . a w as n in the ai the e Mr . T ylor sitti g ch r whol time ; the females were so te rrified that lar ge ” o n e ad drops sto d o th ir forehe s . The Sampford ghost had not the shy retiring na e of the e e e tur T dworth Drumm r, which oft n refused to perform when special witnesses ap eared and one e a e n en tw o p ; m mor bl ight, wh 1 2 6 H A UN TE D H O USE S

n e e e t e e one e the e i d p nd nt wi n ss s , of th m gov rnor the u a sat u to see a of Co nty G ol , p wh t would

a en e saw a e ee . e h pp , th y str ng doings ind d Th y had e a and a e at brought with th m sword, pl c d it the a bed a e i e on foot of , with hug folio B bl it , and to t e a t n en saw n , h ir s o ishm t , both flu g through the air and as e a a n the e a e en , d h d g i st Opposit w ll , s v f n t th ee a a . . a e r t w y Mr T ylor, comi g in o oom, n ea n the e the en er e upo h ri g shri ks of wom , obs v d the u en e the air n n a d sword , s sp d d in , poi ti g tow r s In a e e f e w a a e him . noth r minut it ll ith cl tt r to the floor .

The ne the e a . al e n ow r of prop rty , Mr T l y, fou d the reputation it had gained had rendered it an n e a e H e a e e ha the an u d sir ble residenc . ll g d t t m i f estations were chiefly produced by a cooper an n a and a e n and b gi g tubs with broomstick bludg o , a the ll w as a a e h e a . t e th t obj ct of it th t Mr Ch v , ena be ena e to ase the e t nt, should bl d purch prop rty at a ridic ulously low figure . The result w as that a e es e e n r e e na u al Mr . Ch v , b id s b i g wor i d by sup r t r a en e was a e the e e a r g ci s, b it d by p opl of S mpfo d e e e and e n five m e awa and P v r ll of Tiv rto , il s y,

er e e e a e . was e te a a v y s v r ly h ndl d It r por d th t, if choice had been possible between his human assa a and the he n n e a e il nts ghosts , would i fi it ly h v e e e the pr f rr d ghost .

. n in the n e to a e Mr Colto , ot s po m of his own , published at the time when the aff air w as still at ac n a e n e a e it e the tr ti g tt ntio , d cl r d might puzzl a er a e the a e a m t i lism of Hum , or imm t ri lism of e e a an incom Berkel y. Here we hav n invisible d

1 2 8 H A UIVT E D H O USE S of £2 50 has been off ered for any one who can give u a n as m a a s ch inform tio y le d to a discovery . ea two ea s a e e a e and no a an has N rly y r h v l ps d, cl im t

a ea e . e f a e ee a se as the pp r d I mys l , who h v b n bu d e at one m e and the e of aff a dup ti , promot r this ir at an e w as the e oth r, first to com forward with £ 1 00 and the a e a e n has now an , l t m yor of Tiv rto e an s e e n a instrum nt in his h d , mpow ri g him to c ll o n m e for the payment of that sum to any one who an e a n the e the en n c xpl i caus of ph ome a . The following extracts from a letter I ow e to

h f the . t e e o Rev . e court sy Philip C Rossit r, of a e e e e e e n S mpford P v r ll , will prov int r sti g The Sampford Ghost House is still in exist — ence though no doubt it is very much altered a was 1 8 10 Th u a from wh t it in . e dist rb nces which e n a e e e e e e a ne the th took pl c w r n v r xpl i d, but m an now living there tells m e some of the walls are e a a a e e ee and e doubl , with p ss g b tw n, of cours this made [would have made! disguise and retreat

. a e as a much more easy . Mrs Ch v w live when w e came here many years ag o [1 8 7 but she could not e a a h : n e a e a a e xpl in nyt ing o ly r l t wh t took pl c . M ow n ea the n e e e ca e y id is , ois s w r us d by smug — g lers ; for when I w as at Beer in 1 8 76 taking — — the duty I use d to visit a very old smuggler a — delightful old m an and he told m e many tales o f the days of smuggling ho w they use d to land the t e a n and e the Spiri s on v ry d rk ights, if pursu d by

f n - e e e e ta e e a on a es . R v nu O fic rs , k th m i l nd , p ck hors as e f ar e e lead and he I k d how th y took th ir , no t in the least kn owing where I came from SM UGGLE R S o) 1 2 9 sa e e w as f ar as a id , Som tim s e took them S mpford e e e and hid e e the old ee P v r ll , som of th m in tr ’ in the a churchy rd . There is an old Elm Tree here which is a ea e and e e h en a e gr t siz , p rf ctly hollow, wit no tr nc e e o th h n xc pt fr m e top of t e tru k . If they took some of their spirits to the Old t e e e the Ghos Hous , th y would wish to fright n e e to a u e n e e p opl , cco nt for th ir ois in storing th m ; and sailors in those days were up to all sorts of s i h e e was mi ch ef. It appears at the time t at th r a rector here whose brother was R ector of Seaton (adjoining Beer) ; and perhaps they helped the

e as a e - w a a man smuggl rs, it is w ll kno n f ct th t y

gentry and parsons in those days did so . It will be seen that the gentleman quoted a e ta e l t bov k s no stock in p o terg eis s. The village of Sampford Peverell remains very much what it w as when the mysterious affair — already narrated was in progress one of the a e S e e and e Sa m fords m ny D von , om rs t, Dors t p (which derive their name from Swampf o rd

It is a large village of cob - built cottages with

e - a e a and is a en e e e whit w sh d w lls, lmost tir ly d vot d

to a - a The H e is at the d iry f rming . Ghost ous

e e e t - e e n end of the a e and xtr m nor h w st r vill g , is e a e and e e a ea e who now occupi d by groc r g n r l d l r, ’ also carries on a baker s business under the same o t e he the u e roof . N ven t grocer believes in s p r natural character of the disturbances that once ’ ’ e e e his e e twadden r nd r d hous notorious . I sp ct

a a he in e i e w a . ghost, s ys , his rustic D vonsh r y I7 1 3° H A UN T E D H O USE S

e e a a e e a en Th r is l ck of conclusiv n ss, but pl tiful and e a e e h n e e e d plor bl x ibitio of l vity, xhibit d by the Reveren d Charles Kingsley in his account of the ghost that w as reputed to haunt Barnack e en he w as a The fine e R ctory wh boy . r ctory e a na in a n e ate hous of B r ck , North mpto shir , St d by in the L e she w e . ar e n e Mrs Ch l s Ki gsl y , if rot of he r an a e een in the ee husb d , to h v b built fourt nth ” en has had a a e e c tury , , or , H unt d Room, troubl d n n n as Ca by a ghost commo ly k ow Button p . a e n e en a e and ff e n Ch rl s Ki gsl y, wh littl boy , su ri g m a n e e had een in h of fro br i f v r, b put t is room an e e and the n e ul ee to be str g nois s wo d r wo d s m , no ha ne not e e ghost or ghost, t t his ill ss did th r The a upon grow worse and carry him off . w ys of a en a t e en 1 8 2 5 or e e p r ts tow rds h ir childr in , th r a ee the e en a e e a ina i bouts , s m to pr s t g xtr ord r ly ca and e ta n n ada a n llous , would c r i ly ow ys dr w dow a e m seve re r pri and . ho w a e n e in a e ea This is Ch rl s Ki gsl y, ft r y rs, wrote of Button Cap e in th ea H e liv d e Gr t North Room at Barnack . ne w him e H e e a a s the I k w ll . us d to w lk cro s in n e and u n e the ea e room floppi g slipp rs , t r ov r l v s find the m n ee e e he had of books to issi g d d , wh r of a h defrauded the orphan nd t e widow . H e was an e of a na e e hi old R ctor B r ck . Ev rybody h ard m

e . e e saw in e who chos Nobody v r him ; but, spit

a he e a e e e n - n and a of th t, wor flow r d dr ssi g gow , a n on ne ea of n c p with a butto it . I ver h rd a y ’ e e n be n u and n a Sk l to i g fo nd, Butto C p s history had nothing to do w ith mur der : only with avarice

1 3 2 H A UN TE D H O USE S

In the midst o f the m onotonous le ve ls of the district of Lincolnshire known as the Isle of

A xho lm e stands the decayed market- town of e e the a Epworth . H r f mous John Wesley w as n at the e ne 1 th 1 03 his bor , old r ctory , Ju 7 , 7 , a e e n the e ve e am e e s e e t f th r b i g R r nd S u l W l y, r c or . The rector w as not a favourite with the majority

a ne w e e e e r of his p rishio rs , who r convinc d support s of the by that time utterly ruined cause of the a e he w as an e a e Stu rts , whil qu lly bigot d sup e the e n a the h and port r of R volutio , Willi m T ird ,

h e e e ee n s w t e Hanove rians . So mbitt r d did f li g gro that the infuriated people burnt the rectory about

the Mr e e 1 09 as the s ea . rs of W sl y in 7 , mo t e e practical form of protest th y could imagin . In the month of December 1 71 6 be gan the fam ous series of unaccountable disturbances as ri d the h s n n the c be to Epworth G o t , k ow to ff e The e r had ee n family as Old Je r y . r cto y b e e ha e and a an r stor d by t t tim , politic l imosity did not run so high ; but there have been those w ho as cribed the m anifestations that occurre d a n an e a an e a here to co tinu c of p rtis spit , or to malicious ingenuity sim ilar to that which origi ” nated the supernatural pranks that frightened away the Parliamentary Commissioners from a a e in 1 649 and a a Woodstock P l c , to th t f mous h L a e 1 62 t n t e 7 . decep io , Cock n Ghost of n e na e e the e e en a e U qu stio bly , how v r, R v r d S mu l e e and e and a not e e n W sl y, his wif f mily , xc pti g

he a n e e e n n e the t f mous Joh hims lf, w r co vi c d of g enuine character of the spirit that troubled TH E E P WOR T H GH OS T 1 3 3

e and he in his L i e Wesle th m ; Sout y, who f of y e an e en e na a e of the en e giv s xt d d rr tiv occurr c s , n e e e e e a n in a e e a u doubt dly b li v d , r m rki g d pr c tory w a a in a e e a e s y, An uthor who , this g , r l t such a t and ea as not e a s ory tr ts it utt rly bsurd , must expect to be ridiculed ; but the testimony upon which it rests is f ar too strong to be set aside ” because of the strangeness of its relation . The chief source of information as to the Epworth Ghost is the long account written by the Re verend John Wesley for The A r minia n Ma az ine and n a e a n the g , in its tur b s d p rtly upo a e his a e and the n e a di ry k pt by f th r, upon co v rs tions he had upon the subj ect with the Reveren d h e n . e a a e ad e e e Mr Hool , Vic r of H x y , who b n pr s t e h w wh n t e spirit as creating a disturbance . John e e e who w as e an W sl y hims lf, not much mor th we e ea a e at the m e and w as a a t lv y rs of g ti , w y o e was e e en u e e e fr m hom , d p nd t pon th s sourc s n for his accou t . H e e a n a e e e 2 nd b gins by st ti g th t on D c mb r , ’ 1 71 6 e e t a e e an , whil Rob r Brown, my f th r s s rv t, was h one the a a e e e sitting wit of m ids , littl b for

ten at the n - r e e night, in dini g oom, which op n d the a e e ear e one into g rd n, th y both h d som

knocking at the door . Robert rose and opened i n e u see n . u it, but co ld obody Q ckly it k ock d ’ ’ a n d T ine a an a e . . ur a g i , gro n d It s Mr p , s id ’ he an H e e h e u e . e t e Rob rt, s d to gro so op n d a a e e the c bei door g in, twic or thric , kno king ng e e e ea e but ee twic or thric r p t d still s ing nothing, and e a i e a e e e and en b ing l ttl st rtl d, th y ros up w t 1 3 4 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

bed en e a e the to the to . Wh Rob rt c m to p of a e a he saw a ba w as at g rr t st irs , ndmill , which i t e e a e a e a . l ttl dis nc , whirl d bout v ry swiftly en be e ate he a a e e Wh r l d this , s id, N ught v x d h had m e but that it was empty . I thoug t if it been but full of malt he might have groun d his ’

a o ut m e . e he w as bed he h nd , for Wh n in ,

ear as e e the a e - h d , it w r , gobbling of turk y cock e to the e e and n a e the n clos b dsid , soo ft r sou d of one tumbling over his shoes and boots ; but h there w as none there ; e had left them below . , The e da he and the a e a e n xt y, m id r l t d e e the e a who a he th s things to oth r m id , l ug d ea and a a a e of o u h rtily, s id , Wh t coupl fools y ’ are ! I defy anything to fright m e ! A e n the e e she the ft r churni g in v ning , put e the a and had no ne a e butt r in tr y , soo r c rri d it into the dairy than she heard a knocking on the shelf where several puncheons of milk stood fir a e the e e e She the st bov sh lf, th n b low . took a e and ea e a e and e c ndl s rch d both bov b low, but, e a e in e u e b ing bl to find noth g , thr w down b tt r, a and all and ran a a as i e tr y, , w y if for l f . The ne e e xt morning, my sist r Molly, th n a e ea of a e t n in the n bout tw nty y rs g , si ti g di ing ea n ea as if e e the a room , r di g , h rd it w r door th t led the a en and a e a into h ll op , p rson w lking in ee e to a e a h n who s m d h v on silk nig tgown , rustli g

and rai a . ee e to a her t ling long It s m d w lk round , nd e the en r u a a h a th n to door, th o nd g in ; but s e

see n n . She n es could othi g thought, It sig ifi n to run a a ateve is othing w y, for, wh r it , it can

1 36 H A UN TE D IIo USE S she ea a e e She as e e h rd nois b low . h t n d down a the a e e the e w as st irs , to h ll , wh r nois , but it w e as th n in the kitchen . She ran into the en en w as n the e kitch , wh it drummi g on insid of the s ee e she e w as cr n . Wh n w nt round , it on the e and a a the drumming outsid , so lw ys on s e s e id oppo ite to he r . Then she h ard a knocking at the e She r n e a . a u b ck kitch n door to it, nlock d and en the w as e ea e it softly , , wh knocking r p t d, e en e w as be ee sudd nly op d it ; but nothing to s n . s as she had s the e a As oon hut it, knocking b g n

a a . She e e a a see g in op n d it g in , but could

n . e she en to the nothi g Wh n w t Shut door, it w as violently knocked again st her ; but she set her ee and her e the e kn Should r to door, forc d it and e the k e e the n i to , turn d y . Th n k ock ng e an a a she let and e b g g in ; but it go on , w nt up d be . e e t a e she as to How v r, from h t tim w thoroughly convinced that there was no impo sture the aff in air . The e n te e n xt mor ing , my sis r t lling my e a had a ene she a ea moth r wh t h pp d , s id , If I h r ’ a n e s a e nythi g mys lf, I h ll know how to judg . a te she e e he r e to e Soon f r, b gg d moth r com th She and e the n e e . a i to nurs ry did , h rd , in e the as e e the e n corn r of room, it w r viol nt rocki g of a cradle ; but no cradle had been there for s e ea s She w as n e w as e e om y r . convi c d it pr t r n a a and ea e a e tur l , rn stly pr y d it might not disturb her in her own chamber at the hours of retirement : e She ne w e and it ne v r did . thought it prop r he e e a e . was e e a to t ll my f th r But xtr m ly ngry, ' TH E E P WOR TH GH OS T 1 3 7

nd sa e am a a e of ou . e e a id , Suk y , I sh m d y Th s boys and girls frighten one another ; but you

re a a e e an d n e e . a wom n of s ns , Should k ow b tt r ’ L et m e hear of it no more . the e en he had a a e s At six in v ing f mily pr y r , as u ua e he e an a a e the s l . Wh n b g pr y r for King , a n e a all the and a knocki g b g n round room, ’ the The thundering knock attended Amen . a e was ea e e e s m h rd , from this tim , v ry morning and evening while the prayer for the King w as e a e and e are r peated . As both my f th r moth r at e and a a e e n a ne e e now r st, inc p bl of b i g p i d th r by, I think it my duty to furnish the serious reader k a with a ey to this circumst nce . The ea e e a e a e y r b for King Willi m di d, my f th r observed my mother did not say Amen to the h n Sh a sh a e t e . e e pr y r for Ki g s id would not, for she did not believe the Prince of Orange w as n H e e he ne e a Ki g . vow d would v r coh bit with her u she H e e e and ntil did . th n took his hors e a a she ea an hi rod w y, nor did h r yt ng of him for

a e e n . H e en a e a and e tw lv mo th th c m b ck, liv d s e a as no t with her a b fore . But I fe r his vow w e forgotten b fore God . In a e e n a n cquiring compl t i form tion, Joh e e o axe ta e lV sle . e y visit d Mr H ol , of H y, who s t d that the Reve rend Samue l Wesley had sent his e a e e to e e s rv nt , Rob rt Brown , ov r r qu st his ”

an . e a e sa . e he comp y Wh n I c m , id Mr Hool , a e m e an a u all a had a ene g v cco nt of th t h pp d , a a the n n n a a e p rticul rly k ocki g duri g f mily pr y r . But that evenin g (to my great satisfaction ) w e 1 8 1 3 8 H A UN T E D IIoUSE S

ea n at all But e ee e and h rd no knocki g . b tw n nin ten a e an a e in and a eff e is s rv t c m s id , Old J r y coming (that w as the name of one that had died ’ in the e ea the a t e hous ) , for I h r sign l . This , h y n e m e was ea e e a a i form d , h rd v ry night, bout to n as a e quarte r te . It w tow rds th top of the

se the e at the - ea ne hou , on outsid , north st cor r, e se n the ea of a saw a e r mbli g loud cr king , or r th r a a en the e th t of windmill , wh body of it is turn d a in e to the a to he n We bout ord r Shift s ils t wi d . en ea a e our ead and th h rd knocking ov r h s, Mr . e e a h n a a e a e W sl y, c tc i g up c ndl , s id Com , sir, no shall bear e We w you for yours lf. went a be u o e and to sa the upst irs , with m ch h p , I ( y

truth) with much fear . When we came into the e w as n the e nurs ry , it knocki g in n xt room en w e e e e was in the wh w nt th r , it knocking e and e e i e nurs ry th r it cont nu d to knock , though w e a e an d a a at the ea the c m in , p rticul rly h d of bed (which was of wood) in which Miss Hetty d tw o her n e e la e e an . . of you g r sist rs y Mr W sl y, — observin g that they were much aff ected though a ee ea and e e ee n - w as sl p , sw ting tr mbling xc di g e an and n a w as n to v ry gry , , pulli g out pistol, goi g t the a e en e the n e fire a pl c wh c sou d cam . But na e the arm and a are I s tch d him by s id, Sir, you n e a e n e e n a a convi c d th t this is som thi g pr t r tur l . ou a r ou e e If so , y c nnot hu t it, but y giv it pow r ’ H e e to hurt you . th n went close to the place and a e : ea and e ! s id , st rnly Thou d f dumb d vil why dost thou fright these children who cannot an we e se e P e m e in s r for th m lv s Com to , my study ,

1 4 0 H A UN TE D H O USE S

she w as not afraid when my father used that ad r ju ation . She answered she w as sadly afraid ' ea en she the a e it would sp k wh put out c ndl , but she was not at all a a in the a e e fr id d ytim , wh n a e a e her n she e She it w lk d ft r ; o ly thought, wh n w as a her he a e e her bout work , might h v don it for , ” and a e her the e s v d troubl . The haunted Wesleys at length grew So accus tom ed eff rc a e as a e to Old J y th t th y took , rul , e f e en littl notice o him . His pr sence was g erally announced by a gentle tapping at the head of the ’ en bed e n in a e ee n e childr s , b gi n g usu lly b tw n in and ten at night If they heard a noise in the ” sa e e e o a night, ys John W sl y , th y c mmonly s id ea e eff e n : e to ch oth r, J r y is comi g it is tim to ’ e go to sl ep . And if they heard a noise in the da and a to u e e a Kez z y, s id my yo ng st Sist r, H rk, y, ’ eff e n a e she run a J r y is k ocking bov , would upst irs and e to a she pursu it from room room , s ying e e no e e e n d sir d b tt r div rsio . te e n of e e u Af r som two mo ths this p rs c tion , a anie a a e e a e es ccomp d by m ny str ng , in xplic bl nois of ei n e a the e e s things b ng flu g viol ntly bout, W sl y e b w re implored to leave the house . But e a a e e N o : let the e flee o const ntly nsw r d , d vil fr m ’ m e : w e e flee m the e I ill n v r fro d vil . u a e ead a e an end Fort n t ly, this d lock c m to by the e the a e e was eas d vil, spirit, or wh t v r it , c ing h had e e e e its attentions . T e tricks it p rform d w r of the mischievous kind generally associated with e e a a e the e a of the m r ly hum n g nts , but b h viour mastiff dog kept in the house points to more TH E E P WOR TH GH OS T 1 4 1

es e a e . The ev e en a ue e e ot ric g ncy R r d S m l W sl y , “ afte r recording how he w as thrice pushed by an e e e a a the e invisibl pow r, onc g inst corn r of e in the u a e e a a my d sk st dy, s cond tim g inst the o the a e a e a e d or of m tt d ch mb r, third tim a a the e of as g inst right sid my study door, I ” w as in e e the e a going , go s on to t ll of b h viour the a ff a e to as of m sti , which c m whining us , he did always afte r the first night of its coming ; en he a e e at but w as e for th b rk d viol ntly it, sil nt a e a and ee e e a a a an ft rw rds , s m d mor fr id th n y of ”

the l en . a and e e a a e chi dr Anim ls , sp ci lly dogs , h v always been more susceptible to the unseen than a e n and are e e be e ra e hum n b i gs, mor lik ly to n g d

than terr ifie d by the practical joker. We must e e e a a in es a n the e e e th r for lw ys, tim ti g g nuin n ss , or e w e of the w h ea in oth r is , Ep ort Ghost , b r mind this recorded behaviour of the dog ; while the e en e of the e e a as all e e vid c W sl y f mily, to th s ha i ea a e e ene a things v ng r lly h pp n d, will g r lly be e ar e as a e u r g d d bov s spicion . CHAPTER VII

H O USES WITH SKULLS AN D SKULL L E GE NDS

— - Burton Ag nes Hall Wardley Hall Bettiscombe Manor house War e n r — — a bl to P iory T unstead Farm Higher Chilton F rm.

T o be k naved out our a e a e of gr v s , to h v our a e are a a a a skulls t k n , tr gic bomin tions , s id Sir as r ne e ow n has a Thom B ow , whos Skull , by most e a na ea a e ee k naved a a xtr ordi ry fr k of f t , b n so w y , and has for many years been prese rved as a sight for the curious in a casket at the Norfolk and w ene a a Nor ich G r l Hospit l . There are some singular instances of skulls being pre ser v ed in old houses and be com ing the e e e e ne a subj cts of w ird l g nds . Burton Ag s H ll h e u n is t e e . ea a chi f of th m This b utif l m nsio , th e f a n one e o . now prop rty Mrs Wickh m Boynto , is the a e e e n la a e of st t li st hom s in E g nd . In this c s there is no element of doubt as to whose skull i e e The has a a een ee s pr served h re . story lw ys b fr th e n a e e from e slight st suspicio of v gu n ss . Burton Agnes is Situated in the East Riding of e e ween n t and Driflield and Yorkshir , b t Bridli g on , the a a e i n se a e H ll , nobl bu ldi g in tho ph s s of Renaissance architecture known as Elizabethan and a ea an on a en e e en e e n J cob n , st ds g tl min c ov rlooki g Th n the the v a e . e e a e e a e ill g st t , ow d nci ntly by 142

1 44 H A UN T E D H O USE S

e e a m a be the a er a n a How v r th t y , H ll is c t i ly e n e a a v ry obl structure . You ppro ch it through an a a a i e a a e a e e rchw y in h ghly l bor t g t hous , bearing the royal arms flanked with strange ar a a e and e e e e e e ou c y tid l figur s , th n p rc iv b for y a great red- brick buildin g with two proj ecting a e and a e e e e e h g bl d wings , r c ss d c ntr wit two — minor proj ections all plentifully supplied with a e n ro e ta e l rg wi dows, f m which, in som ins nc s, the mullions have bee n removed and replaced by o a e a e in the e a e a e of the c mmonpl c s sh s, d b s d t st ea n e ee e The i e i n rly in t nth c ntury . nt rior s ha d e t a e n ie ema a e som wi h rich p n lli g, but is ch fly r rk bl the fin e s a ase and the ea a for t irc Gr t S loon . Anne Griffith saw this delightful home growing aff e w as to completion with un ect d enthusiasm . It e e out her and e e e was n v r of thoughts , v n wh n it finished she w as al ways devising little additional

e . She ee ed to e the se touch s s m liv for hou . Soon after She and he r sisters had taken up ei e e ce e en one da a to th r r sid n , Ann w t y on visit e e and en the n at som n ighbours fri ds , St . Qui tins , o e The es e e a a ne a . H rph m , only mil dist nt tim w r not altogether safe for an unprotected girl on a n a and e in e e a was e cou try ro d , Yorkshir sp ci l th n n e e a es e n a s i f st d by nc tors of our mod r tr mp , known — as Wold Rangers mendicants who had formerly been f ed and roughly lodged at the gates of the na e e had in the ea ee mo st ri s, but who y rs succ ding the dissolution of the religious houses grown e era e and e e a e to e e d sp t , , whil not pr p r d work, w r ’ a rob e f ar to her i e ever re dy to . Yi lding so s st rs

‘ 1 46 HA UNTED H O USE S

e e e e the u e u n a a le for p rmitt d , r nd r ho s ni h bit b ” an e n hum b i gs . The sisters considered this gruesome wish to be me rely a part of her wandering facultie s ; but e to e e u e he r e ea e promis d ob y, in ord r to q i t ntr ti s and e she e th n di d . A f ew days later her body was inte rred in the a au her as e a ed and f mily v lt, with l t wish disr g rd , the i s e e e n e surviv ng si t rs s ttl d dow with th ir sorrow . not n a a had a se But for lo g . Not m ny d ys p s d e e n at the a e e s a e as wh n thos livi g H ll w r t rtl d , e e e ee n bed ea a u th y w r proc di g to , by h ring lo d crash in one of the upstairs rooms ; and although a sea was a e a e e thorough rch m d , no f ll n obj ct could be e f ew a e the ee n discover d . A nights l t r sl pi g household were awakened by the reverberating slam of doors ; but although they rose and searched — through the house with lights and duly armed

' e and e e al ea ma with pok rs oth r l th w pons , you y — be e a be sure nothing could seen . For som d ys afterwards the house resounded with weird and li a e e and the e e at inexp c bl nois s, corridors cho d f he r a as o t . night with g o ns, dying The thoughts of the siste rs then turned to their r e e and e ul e the a as b ok n promis , th y cons t d vic r, e a an e e t in ua at e s as to pr sum bly xp r spirit l m t r , a h e e e H e a e he to a e wh t ad b st b don . dvis d t m h v the coffin reopened and the head brought into the e a the ea and the n al e hous , so th t d d livi g ik might

e e w as a e u . have peac . This sugg stion ct d pon Acco rding to the ghas tly stories told for centuries a the was u e e the ea p st, body fo nd p rf ct, but h d A P AR AL YSIIVG IN FL UE N CE 1 4 7 had m e ste a e een e e e and by so my rious g ncy b s v r d , w as a ea a nn n en had ee lr dy gri i g Skull . Wh it b n n a e the a the e ea e and duly i st ll d in H ll , nois s c s d, no supernatural manifestations occurred until an ea a e en the an e a e a n m y y rs ft r, wh , ci nt t l h vi g e e e a e e in the a e e b com som wh t discr dit d l ps of tim , a a e an m s e ne one da m ids rv t, i chi vously incli d , y

e w the n a a i m - thr skull out upo p ss ng far cart . The e ff ect w as like that of the famous Hand of Glory upon surrounding obj ects : the horse and a e a n e e and not all the c rt r m i d stubbornly fix d , h n m e The w ippi g in the world would re ov it .

behaviour of the terror - stricken m aidservant in dicated a had a ene to au e the e wh t h pp d c s troubl , and the unpleasant relic w as taken indoors again e e n the a en its w a wh r upo c rt w t upon y . When the Boynton family succeeded to the esta e e e e e one e e had t , th y, lik v ry ls who not already expe rien ced the supernatural vagaries of ” O wd ance as the n - a e fl antl N , cou try folk r th r ipp y e her m a e t a e n de e to styl , d ligh of wh t th y co si r d be a e e and had the stupid b li f, promptly skull buried in the garden ; but there w as no luck about the house until it w as retur ned to its a ccustomed place . The n ton a o n n a of Boy s of B rmst , origi lly n n n ea n t n o w n to ne Boy to r Bridli g o , Bur n Ag s by e r e ce nt m Sir a e n right of th i d s fro M tth w Boynto , a e the a the hr ee e who m rri d l st surviving of t Sist rs , i 1 1 The a and w as created a Baronet n 6 8 . po rtr its

of the ee in one a e - a an the thr , l rg oil p inting , h g on ta a e the a and a e a n e s irc s of H ll , v ry qu i t trio th y 1 4 8 H A UIVTE D H O USE S

are in e e en een - en ff an d f ar , th ir s v t th c tury ru s

hin l s nne n n the - a e s an o n t a e . g A Boy to , ill f t d , t ds the an and ce a n ea s a e e x right h d , rt i ly w r ru ful h s pression of countenance . T e group would eem ’ a e ee a n e a e ne ea she to h v b n p i t d ft r An s d th , for is n very strikingly represented i black . The e a e n a a e the skull , form rly pl c d upo t bl in ea a n is no w in ehin the ea Gr t S loo , built b d gr t a ve en a e a m c r d scre th t cam from B r ston . A tale of hauntings w as told of Burton Agnes ’ ’ a in the 60s a ea a o ne H ll , by which it pp rs th t n n a e n L n n n a Joh Bilto c m dow from o do , visiti g n a t e e a e ee e on the e a e cousi , M t h w Pott r, g m k p r st t , living in the then apparently otherwise unoccupie d H a n was as e to a the n ll . Bilto k d st y ight, but w as a ne a the e w as a n e and w r d th t hous h u t d , told a he e e af a he had e e th t, if w r r id of ghosts , b tt r

sleep elsewhere .

Bilton was a brave m an . H e w as not afraid h e e a e . n a s bed the of ghosts , d cl r d Goi g upst ir to , gamekeeper held the candle up before the portrait

the ee ste and w as e n the group of thr si rs , t lli g t en— en he D u h s t . ra t P s ory, wh Pouf ! out w t light g th n Possibly . But why could e ca dle not be re - lit P Keeping very close togethe r on their w ay to the e o e en bed in the a and b dr om , th y w t to d rk , a e the sa e bed a e e t sh r d m , for s k of s curi y but not in ea e e e a e a shufliin ee in the p c , for th r c m g of f t

a a e e a a n e a e . p ss g , lik th t of co sid r bl crowd ’ e th a e What s that P ask d e st rtl d visitor . ” en Yew lats e ne the a e ee e J ny , r tur d g m k p r ,

WA R D LE Y H A LL 1 49

ivin with a yawn, g g the local Yorkshire name for owls . ’ But ow ls don t wear hob - nailed boots an d ” a his b ng doors , returned the visitor, ducking head under the clothes as the noises increased . ” Bats, then , said the gamekeeper . ” Bats be blowed, remarked his friend, with more force than politeness . ’ Aw , then, tis Owd Nance , said the game

c e an d to keeper, uncon rnedly , went sleep ; but the stranger to these things thoug ht it w as more like

Old Nick, and lay long awake , listening to the e h unearthly tumult . He did not sleep anoth r nig t at the Hall . as e The legend (or legends, ther are several versions) of Wardley Hall and its ghastly relic is one of those many old Lancashire folk - tales that have been exploited in modern times by writers of irresponsible books on Lancashire d in tra itions, in which the originally highly teresting and really dramatic story has bee n worked up in the form of more or less uncon fi vin cing ction .

Even the old legend of Wardley Hall , before novelists laid hands on it, was almost entirely without foundation in fact . It told how Roger

Downe, the last male representative of his race, earned for himself the character of one of the most dissolute among the swashbuckling blades who formed the greater part of the Court of

Charles the Second , and was one of those scourers whose delight it was to pervade Iso H A UN T E D H O USE S

London streets and provoke quarrels with un s armed and defencele s persons , to the end that they might earn the opportunity of slitting a off few noses, or slicing an ear or two , with little — risk to themselves . The watch being generally of the Dogberry kind , feeble and incapable , and only too eager to let all rogues and turb ulent folk — alone were generally the sport of these fine many a pleasant night Roger Downe and his companions were said to have enjoyed in beating those infirm old m e n within an inch of their lives .

Unfortunately, according to the legend, he happened at last upon a more than usually stalwart and courageous preserver of the public o c peace . The encounter t ok pla e on London

e e Bridge , and the watchman def nded hims lf so well with his halberd that the head of Ro ger Downe w as presently severed from his body and ’ fell in the gutter . The wild young man s sister was living at the time at Wardley Hall , and to a of w as her the he d her brother despatched , us packed in a box . Let hope she had been advised of the co ntents of that box before she a as opened it . She placed the head on the st irc e , has i where it ever s nce remained, except on those very rare occasions when attempts hav e been made to move it . The first of the se occasions w as when she thought of giving the gruesome relic proper i a Christian burial . It was duly comm tted to e rth, but that nig ht a terrible tempest shook the house

1 52 H A UN T E D H 0USE S

Cheshire as to have become Vice - Chancellor of of Cheshire and a Member Parliament, then

fif t - n in 1 63 8 resided here . He died , aged y seve , , hi and his wife, Penelope, four days later, t s circumstance giving rise to the belief that they must have been victims of one of the many pestilences then from time to time ravaging the country . This Roger Downe w as succeeded by his r 1 606 . w as son , F ancis , born in He also off a barrister, and was cut untimely, dying in 1 648 to , be followed by his brother John , who died the same year, leaving a widow , a daughter, i n s Penelope, and one nfa t son , Roger, the la t — of his race the Roger Downe of the legend . The old story is in some few particulars near the as in truth regards this Roger, for he was fact a gay young man about town in the reign his ea 1 6 6 of Charles the Second , and met d th in 7 in just such a scuffle with the watch as already ff narrated only the details are di erent . It see ms he w as that , with Lord Rochester and others, engaged in to ssing in a blanket some fiddlers to b who had refused play for them, when a bar er to s called the watch, who interfered, put a top to the disturbance ; whereupon my Lord Rochester made as if he would run one of the watch through i n with his sword . Seeing the imm nent da ger of

the man, Roger Downe laid hold of the sword , and ’ in doing so no doubt saved the man s life ; but and in the darkness confusion , another member of the watch came up from behind and struck

w e t ff . his Do ne on the h ad with his s a , splitting

1 54 H A UN T E D H O USE S reign of Charles the First he resided in these a cifici Lanc shire districts , more or less covertly n r ating as priest amo g the gentry, who here we e For still very largely aff ected towards Rome . h w years he t us continued , and being well kno n a ff n and liked loc lly, the o e ce of practising the

forbidden religion was very generally condoned . w as n Now and again , however, he informed agai st, and imprisoned for short periods in Lancaster

fi . n Castle , or ned And so thi gs might have b u continued , had it not een for a sudden f ry that seized the Puritan minister and the congreg ation of e u 2 5th 1 641 L igh on the S nday evening , April , . They were inflamed by an announcement that ” as s Father Ambrose , Barlow styled him elf, was e s e p rforming Ma s at the neighbouring Morl y Hall , and u m ob of forthwith rushed forth, a f rious s four hundred person , armed with any weapons

they could lay hands upon , and , reaching Morley

e n Hall , besieged the chapel ther . Breaki g in ” the doors, they seized Father Ambrose , who, and r to although pale agitated, besought his f iends e I die make no att mpt to rescue him . must at ” I some time or other, said he , and could not ” better die than in the act of defending my religion . He was forthwith hurried off to a neighbouring c e r Justi e of the P ace, and then sent with an a med to as e escort of sixty men Lancaster C tle , wh nce , As w as after trial and conviction at the sizes , he d on e n rawn a hurdle to the plac of executio , and e l 0th hanged and quarter d , on September , in the

- f of e fif t fi th a . u y year his g He died co rageously , TH E TR UE S T OR Y r55

u the walking twice ro nd the gallows , reciting n fif tieth Psalm, and rejecti g the arguments of the to ministers who endeavoured dispute with him, saying he had something better to do than ” t hearken to heir fooleries . His head w as impaled on the tower of the old n was m church , Ma chester, and afterwards ore or less secretly removed by a sympathiser and t to e has aken Wardl y Hall , where it ever since

n as a . e remai ed, alre dy shown The misl ading legend as to its identity probably owes its origin to the very natural fear among the Downes and their immediate successors of being too intim ately fi i ’ identi ed w th this martyr for conscience sake . Relics of Father Ambrose are treasured at of Downside , and at the Benedictine convent n n is St . Mary, Sta brook , where a ha d kept . ” to i Father Ambrose is on his way be ng canonised , 1 8 8 6 ! for in Leo III . conferred upon him the of e title v nerable . The skull is likely to remain in its accustomed . so as place long Wardley Hall shall stand , for a is w ase of u clause al ays inserted in le s the ho se , i its forbidd ng removal or concealment . Years a o w as its g , when the old house down on luck, out to r and let in tenements poo colliers, an e was a to att mpt m de get rid of it, but, in the

of r - e w as words the ma vel mongers , th re no peace in the house until it was restored Once w as w as it flung into the moat, which drained in to r 1 89 order recove it ; and in 7, when the Hall was s o e the was e r r re t r d, skull t mpora ily emoved ; 1 56 H A UN TE D H O US E S

h c of w en , ac ording to the foreman works , a violent u t To th nders orm followed . those who are not

- a marvel mongers , the incident rec lls the story of

n - his as the Jew eati g ham rasher for breakf t, and was of his remark, when a growl of thunder heard, ’ ” at 0 V a futh about a little bit bacon . The marks of a bloody hand and foot are among the cherished possessions of Wardley Hall, and are shown in one of the bedrooms . Among the houses containing these gruesome

- exce heirlooms , Bettiscombe Manor house is p i nall fin s t o y famous . To d this house of gha tly as legend, the House of the Screaming Skull , it e ou is call d , y must go far, and seek in a very lonely part of the country : for it is situated in a retired valley of rural Dorset , midway in that to e e district which the tourist rarely pen trat s , the rugged country between Broad windsor and

Lyme Regis . No road approaches Bettiscombe

n - s t e Ma or hou e, s anding solitary in its coomb overlooking Marshwood Vale : and access to it

field- is gained only through a gate , and by a

- half mile walk across meadows . The Manor and s house , now, for many a long year pa t , a r church e farmhouse, with the pa ish , unint resting ” has t f e w since it been rebuilt or res ored , and a

sum - cottages , form the total of the place . in e u f e The situation is strik gly b a ti ul , und r the d i e sha ow of the h lls , and embower d amid apple e orchards . The old hous itself is, as the illus tration h fine and s will s ow, a characteri tic of te st example domestic archi cture, as under ood

1 53 H A UN TE D H O USE S

a r a abject condition , and fterwa ds rising to of t n H position some impor a ce . e eventually

1 1 9 . returned , and died in London in 7 The skull that renders the house famous — w e cannot well say attractive is at this day

e a - box preserv d most unrom ntically in a cigar , h u r t e r . thr st away in the afters of oof It is , as of a matter of fact, the upper part a skull only, and is declared by physiologists who have to examined it be that of a negro . In that e es respect it agre s with the legend , which narrat that it is the last relic of a black servant brought ” ro home by Azariah Pinney f m foreign parts .

to - c n c According this long received a cou t, the bla k servant declared his spirit would not rest until

‘ his body lay again in his native land . Other versions w ere that the skull is that of a black servant of a priest whom he murdered (or who w as murdered by his mas ter) : evidently hazy n n ul perversio s of the origi al facts , which wo d seem to be that when A z ariah Pinney returned r f om the West Indies , he brought with him to o who Bettisc mbe a negro servant, died here, h doubtless from consumption . One as only to consider for a moment the effect likely to be produced among the ignorant and superstitious peasantry of Dorset in the early years of the seventeenth century by the appearance of a black m an r mi to see a ha in thei dst, th t here we ve, without any more foun dation than this simple

the as s fine o - e sto ry, b i of a very , bl od bolter d

legend .

I60 H A UN TE D H 0USE S

fi l combe , and nds the good farming fo k entirely n d e n u impresse , to outward appearanc , by the thi g w that shares the house ith them . He sees a am e of k blooming d s l , carrying pails new mil , e sa issuant , em rgent (as a herald might y) from s of t fire this Hou e Mys ery, and he opens with e qu stions . Is the skull still here !

Yes . May one be permitted a sight of it P a Oh , yes , cert inly and a candle is lit in a the be utiful hall of the house, and a procession s of two goe up to the attic . It appears that the farmer and his family do not in the least mind of the presence the relic . They are healthy e minded people , and ignore it altog ther, except ffi when occasional curious visitors , su ciently energetic to walk thus f ar in search of the

to . w uncanny , desire see it But they ill not d a vance the cause of Truth, and permit the skull to e be removed , ev n for the briefest space, into open air e . Th y are like those good people who do not ” s s believe in absurd super titions , but at the ame time will not walk under ladders ; who take no a but w ho ccount of omens , will turn pale with

apprehension when the death - watch beetle ticks upon the hearth when a shroud appears — in the candle ; when a hollow coal a coffin bursts out of the fire ; and when a dog howls at

: night . It is the old story no one believes the m i ht tale, but well there g be something in it,

and and so the experiment is not made . WARBLE T ON 1 61

of H eathfield In the neighbourhood , Sussex , may be found the more or less famous haunted ” i r house of Warbleton Pr ory , an ancient fa m house built upon the site of a still more ancient Augustinian monastery removed from Hastings of by Sir John Pelham, in the time Henry the

Fourth . Warbleton Priory is by no means near War fi bleton village, and is discovered by in the rst instance seekin g R ushlak e Green and then care R ushlak one fully asking the way . e Green is of the prettiest hamlets in Sussex : a number of rustic cottages and a village shop or two and

a post - otfice surrounding a genuine old English green such as is to be found more often in highly idealised pictures than in real life ; and with such useful and ornamental features as quacking ducks and hissing geese waddling across and dis n f puti g right o way . The haunted house is situated in a spot i i espec ally suited for haunt ngs , deeds of mystery ,

- - and happenings in the hair raising , blood curdling t o sort, for it s ands in a l nely spot, a mile from in anywhere, a meadow surrounded by woods — and coppices . No road only the roughest and

a t - muddiest of c r tracks , muddy even in the height — of summer leads to it . Coming out of a very of ou o ld mh tunnel greenery , y see the stout far ouse standing in what looks like a clearing among

the woods . It is built of stone from the long

- n vanished Priory , mingled with tile hu g walls ,

and is roofed steeply with red tiles . The remains 2 1 1 62 HA UN TE D H O USES of the chapel were long since converted into oas - - u t houses and stables , but blocked p Gothic r e its use be a ches , evidenc s of former , may yet seen . If the amateur of haunted houses visits War r bleton Priory in search of th ills, his time will as be w ted, for nowhere are its supernatural experience s so scoff ed at as here . ” ’ Ghosts , asks the farmer s wife, amused at ’ ’ the stranger s inquiry ; I ve never heard nothing and when you ask to see the two grinning skulls that used to be kept in the u o m of ho se, behold, they were st len , the atter to r of r two years ago, much the w ath the owne of the property . es on e n Th e two grisly relics , said , unc rtai to s of authority, have been tho e a former owner of the house and a man who murdered him, at ifi d some unspec ed perio s, were once jealously r p eserved in the building , and legends told , in n a the usual way, of the dreadful ma ifest tions that had been known to take place on their being removed ; but certainly the profound quiet of the spot has been undisturbed since their final disappearance , and the cattle, that used to be ffl a icted when these relics were disturbed, appear to thrive and give mil k in the ordinary co urse .

The only relic in the house is the blood - stain on of an the floor upper room , a stain that refuses e ff of to be sec ur d out . The e orts of generations

e ma in floo r - r s exp rimentalists y be seen, the boa d n o bei g distinctly worn d wn at that place, but

’ ” D ICKIE S FARM 1 63

’ dam n d as the spot refuses to out, even it

a th did in M cbe .

- e to Meanwhile, the farm folk are very pleas d who supply tea to parties of cyclists and others, have the thrilf ul pleasure of sitting in a large bare r of oom where the skulls used to be , and gazing fi upon a huge empty stone replace, where relics 1 563 in the shape of andirons, dated , and an fir eback elaborate , remain in company with an i n o ld o . coat of arms , pa nted panel It is almost always impossible to trace these var ious skull relics to their true origin ; but s not where fact are wanting , legends do lack . Near the remote little Derbyshire town of Chapel

en - le - e Frith , at the hamlet of Tunst ad Milton, there is an old farmstead commonly known as ’ of one Dickie s Farm, from the skull Dickie e as preserv d there, for what length of time p t,

or . for what reason, there is nothing to show The present farmhouse dates back in part to the e arly a of as of ye rs the eighteenth century, the style the ” architectural decoration shows . Dickie is quite

a f am ous a as - eu person lity at Chapel , Chapel

le - is Frith locally known . Everyone knows of him f or now , or her ; the Skull , in three pieces , a and incomplete, is said, notwithst nding the name, to n be that of a woma . But even here we are not u h on sure gro nd, for a legend tells ow this is as of one N ed who u the l t memorial Dixon , , ret rn ” a e r to ing home from the wars , fter many y a s ,

enjoy his own, was murdered by his cousin in r m w r o re the oo he e the pieces f skull a still kept . 1 64 H A UN TE D H O USE S

The inquirer after these thin gs finds the farm he perched at t crest of a steep and rutty lan e . ” to se e I charge twopence it, says the girl , when you ask if this is not the home of the grisly relic ; and forthwith she brings from the window - sill of the upstairs bedroom where they are preserved e l the poor fragments in question ; t lling, probab y the n t of for thousa dth time, the familiar s ory how, if be e w they remov d , disasters ill descend upon : the farm the sheep becoming a prey to the rot, e the cows going dry , the horses br aking their knees, the hens refusing to lay eggs, and even the domestic cat acquiring the mange . Nay, ’ more : to Dickie s agency were attribute d the difliculties experienced many years ago in con structing that portion of the London and North Western Railway to Manchester which runs close by, through the farm lands . Engineers, in their

- of - mere matter fact way, ascribed to the local sands and bogs the repeated failures to secure foundations for a bridge they were building at this ” point ; but the people of Chapel and of Tunstead knew better ; triumphantly pointing out that the bridge was only successfully built when another site was selected which happened to be ’ ” on another farm than Dickie s .

Finally, we have the story of the Skull still kept in perfect preservation at Higher Chilton of e Farm, in the village Chilton Cantelo, Somers t . is e d of This the h a piece one Theophilus Brome ,

1 8 th 1 670 - who died August , , aged sixty nine, and was bur ied in the north transept of Chilton Cantelo

CH IL T ON CAN TE LO 1 65 church : the epitaph over him declaring that he w as in a man just his actions of this life, true to his friends, forgave those that wronged him, ” and died in peace . a r of Woodlow es He c me of the B omes , near w to War ick . The reasons that induced him live n of down south , in the cou ty Somerset, do not appear ; but it was always understood that he had been engaged on one or other side in the Civil War between Charles the Second and his Parlia was of ment, and the victim persecution from w as e the party to which he oppos d . Collinson, H istor o Somer set n to in his y f , referri g Chilton

Cantelo and Brome, says There is a tradition in this parish that the person here inte rred requested that his head might be taken off before his burial and be preserved h d at the farmhouse near the churc , where a hea — - w chop fallen enough is still shown, hich the tenants of the house have often endeavoured to mi a but as com t to the bowels of the e rth, have often been deterred by horrid noises portentive of sad displeas ure ; and about twenty years Since w as e (which perhaps the last att mpt) the sexton, ’ in digging the place for the skull s repository, broke the spade in two pieces, and uttered a solemn asseveration never more to attempt an ’ act so evidently repugnant to the quiet of Brome s ” Head . a the i r It may be dded to forego ng ext act, that r w ho Philip Higdon , a native of the pa ish , died

n 8 2 6 n ce i - five i 1 at the adva d age of n nety years, I66 H A UN TE D H 0USE S stated that it w as always said that Brome was a gentleman who had lived in the middle counties r in the troublous times , and had come theref om to Chilton but he had never heard any reason s a signed for this removal , nor for the wish to ’ have the head cut ofl and kept in this house . ’ u s r The circ m tances , however, of B ome s change f u of residence from one o the midland co nties , of r u coupled with the mention the t o blous times , his e his e and ag at the time of dec ase , together with the directions given for cutting off his head before to t his burial, seem favour the conjecture tha he had been actively engaged in the civil com motions of the reign of Charles the First . It is a matter of general notoriety that at the time of the Restoration the bodies of many of the as as s had a regicides, well other who t ken an t r ac ive part against the mona chy, were, in a u s i a r m fr itle s sp rit of revenge, t ken up f o their

a - es and a off buri l plac , their he ds cut and exposed ff in di erent places . w as of That Brome a man family, the arms borne by him at a time when such distinctions

now ffi . were less common than , su ciently prove

They are Sable, on a chevron argent, three sprigs of are r on o broom, proper, and eng aved his t mb , s d r inscri urrounde by sepulch al emblems . The p r to his tion sets fo th that he w as true friends , and forgave those that wronged him, which w ould seem to imply that he had in some respects considered himself an object of persecution : and thoug h there is no particul ar mention of his name

HIGH E R CHILTON FAR M 1 67 in o of s not ea the hist ry tho e days , it is unr sonable to suppose that he had been an active spirit in n ff f or those conte tions, and duly su ered his

Higher Chilton Farm is a substantial and very m r of superior far house, long since the prope ty w r the Goodford family, hose arms are ca ved over n e h w of e the entra c , toget er ith the date its restor or u 1 8 2 6 tion , almost complete reb ilding , in . The truth of the story that the skull preserved in the house is that of Theophilus B rome was proved of during the restoration the church , some forty ’ five m years since , when Brome s to b was opened minus and the skeleton discovered , the head . Until a f e w years since the skull was kept in one of - s the living room of the house , and, in spite of the legend that disturbances would arise if it were ’ even moved a hand s breadth , was frequently given a of o a new pl ce . Nothing, c urse, happened . It now re sides in a cupboard or cabinet made f o r especially it, in an appropriately seventeenth a century style, and pl ced over a door in the hall .

Only the teeth are missing . When the house w as m fi under restoration , the work en lled the b r of : skull with eer, and d ank out it a ghastly freak in which some will perhaps find the influence o ur — of heredity, very remote ancestors and savages all the world over— being accustomed to o ut of of drink the skulls their deceased enemies . But the incident does not say much f or the intellectual development of the race in all those centuries . CHAPTER VIII

FAMILY CURSES

The Mystery of Glamis Castle and the Earls of Strathmore

UNQUEST IONABLY the most famous haunted house is r r hi in Britain Glamis Castle, in Fo fa s re, and it is the more famous from the fact that the uncanny things connected with it and its secret e as chamber have ver been kept inviolable secrets , and are no nearer solution now than they were u of mi is ea a o . h ndreds y rs g Thus , Gla s not in the usual sense a haunted house : it is rather the b r of s of a ode of myste y, the home ome secret i but hi s wh ch many have made light, w ch tho e most nearly concerned have never been known to regard with indifference . e No other residenc in the world , imperial or so private , has been the subject of much eager discussion as Glamis Castle ; and no secret has been so continuously assailed by investigators as that safe in the keeping of the Earls of Strath of more , the lords Glamis . The identity of the of Man in the Iron Mask , and that the writer of the L etter s of s ius have been the subjects of furious o c ntroversies , in which the respective partisans one m o n have, every of the , c nvi ced themselves to I6S

1 70 H A UN TE D H O USE S

of d had . Scotland , whose daughter he marrie Among other hono urs conferred upon him w as of but he that of Great Chamberlain Scotland , u 1 3 8 ended in a d el in 3 . It was this Sir John w ho brought with him to Glamis a kind of family ” u c rse, the famed Lion Cup , a hereditary posses sion whose ownership is said to have caused many m an tragedies in the family . The plain at this point naturally inquires why this accursed g oblet w as or a never thrown away , at le st sold , or given to some unsuspectin g beneficiary against whom the n e s Lyo family nurs d a grudge, after the old Scot has no n e sort . But your plain man busi ess h re w or ith family curses spooks . Inquiry would , the a t the however, probably disclose f c that several disasters and violent endings of the Lyons were due less to the ownership of that item of gold plate to s than the ferocity of themselves and their time . The son of Sir John Lyon w as one of those very few of the race f or many centuries who died son e peacefully in their beds , and his , creat d 1 44 5 Lord Glamis in , ended in the like natural n r e ma ner . But a peculiarly hor ible fate bef ll t w of th Janet , the young and beau iful wido the six son t s Lord Glamis , who with her and other rela ive was t f o r the of a indic ed practice witchcr ft, and f or attempting the life of James the Fifth by the arts of magic and sorcery . Lady Glamis was found guilty on the perj ured evidence of t was her own servan s , among others , and burned

u 1 53 . son on Castle Hill , Edinb rgh, in 7 Her S te John , at this time a boy of ixteen, af r TH E E ARLS OF S TR A TH M OR E m

ut to wards seventh Lord Glamis , was p the of torture, and under it committed the infamy c h w as falsely a cusing is mother . He also found w as guilty , but respited until he should come of a e w as o g , and at length released and rest red to his H i on . s s ancestral honours , the eighth w as Lord Glamis , killed in a chance meeting with the mi of the Lindsays , with whom fa ly Lyon i e mainta ned a cherish d feud . — — An Earldom that of King horne w as con 1 606 and ferred upon the castellan of Glamis in , n — h — ia 1 6 re a other t at of Strathmore 77 . The ci ient of t w as p his last honour Patrick Lyon , who 1 642 1 69 5 t was born in and died in , af er having r s of tho oughly restored the ancient ca tle Glamis , and refitted it and its garden and policies r n acco di g to the taste of that age . The Ear ls of Strathmore at the present time own e a remarkable multiplicity of titl s , being also of Kin horne V Earls g , iscounts Lyon , Barons mi T annad ce Sidlaw and Strathdichtie Gla s , y , , . The third Earl of Strathmore died of wounds Sheriff m uir 1 1 5 w as he had received at in 7 , and s e h ucc eded by is brother as fourth Earl . The u had five fo rth Earl sons and three daughters , and of these no fewer than four sons succeeded to t tr the title . Charles, six h Earl of S athmore , 1 2 8 in n out died in 7 , a duel arisi g of a quarrel ar or at c ds dice . is h r o r It with this C a les , sixth L rd Strathmo e , that the chief of the uncanny stories of Glamis is c e of c n con ern d . There are, ourse, many versio s, 1 72 H A UN T E D H O USE S but the most generally received is that of the fatal gaming party . By this it seems that the long - standing feud between the Lindsays and the Lyons had so far healed that the members of tw o and the families dined , drank, diced fine together , like the old Scottish gentlemen they

: of - n were bent upon some form ill doi g, at any no le w e e cost. Those ancient Scottish b m an ho w r to l n not up some devilry or another, from s itti g of or o the throat monarch friend, c nspiring ag ainst ’ t o r off w the S ate, making with a neighbour s ife, down to mere ordinary sharp practices and insane n f ew ab gambli g , were indeed , and even those stain ing few did not generally receive the credit to which their abstention entitled them . Such another set of equally atrocious villains it would

diflicult to find . be , in any age or country on to The legend goes declare that the play, hi one a . fat l night at Glamis , grew desperately gh

w as ff of - and The Earl su ering a run ill luck , when he w m n had gamed a ay all his o ey, resolved if possible to win back his losses in staking his w s i d a . a an est tes But the bad luck st ll in force , , ta one he s king property after another, continued to z lose, until Glamis itself stood at ha ard upon w a the turn of a card and s lost . Then the dazed n t not to and i furiated Lord S rathmore , able n r u his u derstand such ext aordinary ill fort ne, lost d his of a i an . temper, accused guest che t ng A blow was the only reply ; swords were r a s run d awn , and , after a few p sse , the Earl was throug h the body. Thus died the sixth Earl of

1 74 H A UN TE D H O USE S

invited each individual member of his staff of

retainers , but without avail . Starting with the s d n w to ot tewar , and worki g do n the meanest p u walloper in the establishment, he received ref sals o h as fr m all . T en he tried the rather hopeless t k of persuading the domestic chaplain to take a n w s ha d, ith the re ult that he not only got another r t efusal , but found hat any likely waverer among his menials was scared out of obliging him by the threats the chaplain proce eded to hurl against any ’ who o one should s desecrate the Lord s Day . Patie con i i the n Earl thereupon , S gn ng chaplai one to u e i and every else Helensb rgh, and sw ar ng s his if po sible worse than ever, took himself and a his own ec o p ck of cards away to esp ial ro m , declaring himself prepared to play with the

Devil , if no other partner were forthcoming . not sat n a He had long , before a k ock c me e w as at the door, and a deep voic without heard asking if he still wanted a partner . r n e Yes, shouted the Ea l ; e t r, in the foul ’ ”

fiend s . name, whoever you are e e r r n Thereupon th re enter d a tall , da k st a ger, d n a wrapped mysteriously in a cloak . No di g f mi liarl y to the Earl , he took his seat, without h e c e furt er c remony, on a va ant chair opposit , n and the game presently began . The stra ger had and e proposed a high stake, in acc pting, the Earl re if er un ag ed , he w e the loser and fo d himself h u f or unable to pay, e wo ld sign a bond what sk ever the stranger might choose to a . (What doited fools these legendary gamesters always are ! ) TH E BLAS TE D BUTLE R 1 75

u us am the and Fast and f rio bec e game . Loud louder were the oaths that resounded through the the rs l chamber and echoed down corrido , a arming fi e the household . Up crept the terri ed s rvants , — and listened at the door after the manner of — servants wondering who this might be who should thus bandy words with their wicked master . u r At last the old b tler, who had se ved the e and family for two g nerations , had peeped o u a e in e thr gh m ny a , k yhole his time, appli d his eye in the old familiar manner ; but he had no sooner done so than he fell back and rolled upon the floor with a yell of agony . In an s the and in tant door was flung open , the Earl , e to with furious face , instruct d the servants slay

‘ o ne who u any sho ld pass , while he went back to se t h e tle wit his gu st . had But the guest was gone , and with him w gone the bond . It seems that hile the game was in progress , the stranger had noticed the d keyhole, and , throwing down his car s, had ex a ! claimed , with dreadful oath , Smite that eye whereupon a sheet of flame had darted directly the to the keyhole, blighting the butler, and hi u stranger himself vanished . T s wo ld make an impressive tract f or the conversion of Keyhole

Peepers . For five his r ic e years after t d amat sc ne, Earl ’ c t re o r h Pati lived, and then was ga he d int Ab a am s ’ — s— s But or some one else bo om . every Sabbath evening afterwards the room where the two had 1 76 H A UN TE D H O USE S played at cards resounded in the same boisterous s to manner, until at la t, unable any longer endure hi n t s Su day evening tumult, the family had it

u . ur t as i e built p Of co se the s ranger, the nt l li ent r a e g e der will alr ady have perceived , was e none oth r than the Devil himself, and the bond ’ r e in his w u esult d inning the Earl s so l . An even more thrilling version tells how the a t he Earl declared, with many dre dful oa hs , that would play until the Day of Judgment ; and that o t a on st rmy nigh s the gamblers may yet be he rd , quarrelling over their play . The jealously guarded mystery of the secret room at Glamis may o r may not be co nnected hi with t s legend . There are , in fact, several

secret chambers in the ancient fifteen - feet r nor s thick walls , but these are neither mo e le s a matter of secrecy than the so - called secret drawers that form so perfectly obvious a feature old o r of most escrit ires . The one absolutely sec et chamber is never known to more than three per sons at one time : to the Earl of Strathmore for to son to the time being , his eldest (or the next to t heir), and the factor, or steward , of the esta e . The solemn initiation ceremony takes place upon o on the c ming of age of the heir, the night of his twenty - first birthday ; when the three are supposed to be armed with crowbars to break down the masonry which walls up the mystic s h reces . T is rite duly performed and the wall a u o gain b ilt up , the fact r invariably leaves the a and c stle rides for home, no matter how stormy

TH E ORIE S 1 77

mi the night or late the hour . The Lyon fa ly is — wealthy the late Earl left over a million sterling —and s could ea ily reside elsewhere , but on the night that witnesses the coming of age of the heir, its members will be all gathered together at Glamis . The theories as to what this terrible sec ret may e and be embrac every possibility impossibility .

An often - repeated story is that which narrates “ ” ad mi how the unhappy L y Gla s , the witch , who w as t on w as burn Castle Hill , Edinburgh, in h really league with the Devil , and t at her fi familiar demon, an embodied and visible end , inhabits the Spot ! of With other people, greedy the horrible, a is e favourite theory that ther exists , in this

u h - e d ngeon , a hideous alf human monst r, of fear a and A ful spect fabulous age . nother variety would have us believe that a monster of the vampire type is born every generation into the to t d of family , represen the embo iment a terrible curse upon the house of Lyon . a Again, a tr dition declares that in the old days e of f uds , when the Ogilvies and the Lindsays were ’ e rs for always flying at ach othe throats, a number i of hunted Ogilvies came to the doors of Glam s , imploring the Lo rd Glamis of that day to shelte r them from the fury of their enemies . He was not on particularly friendly terms with either of n d to those warri g clans , but he opene his door e e the fugitives and , under the pret nc of securely e n un e hiding them, locked and bolt d the u fort at 2 3 a7s HA UN TED H O USE S

a f Ogilvies in a remote dungeon , and c llously le t to a e them there starve . The t le go s on to tell how the bones of those wretched fugitives strew

the floor of that dismal hold to this day, the position of some of the skeletons showing that the captives died in the act of gnawing the flesh r r s from thei a m . who in his lim ses o the S u er . G Dr Lee, , p f p na tur a l shows himself prone to swallowing i a s anyth ng, however st rtling , ays On one c asi s ea a o a of o c on, ome y rs g , the he d the family, se r w as e mi to in with ve al companions , det r ned vestig ate the cause of inexplicable noises heard ni at Glamis Castle . One ght, when the disturb ance was greater and more violent and alarming a his to the than usu l , lordship went Haunted

Room, opened the door with a key, and dropped back in a dead swoon into the arms of his com panions ; nor could he ever be induced to ope n ” his lips on the subject afterwards . Why the factor shoul d be included in the triune initiation into the myste ry of Glamis is a question that has always excited highl y intereste d ’ ffi . a conjecture If the factor s o ce were heredit ry, ul e there wo d conceivably be r ason for it, but a this is not generally the c se at Glamis . But whatever the reason of the factor being always taken into the confidence of the Earl for the t to u of the ime being, the excl sion even Countess , it is certain that the trust reposed has never mi s once been splaced . Whatever it i the factor

has seen, or whatever the ceremony in which

1 8 0 H A UN T E D H 0USE S

in the house, and the children are not allowed d ” to o so .

of e Whatever the nature this heirloom , the lat Earl seems to have found it a subject f or con stant prayer . A guest w ho had been staying at e l n the Castle, and was leaving in the ar y morni g, as e an d saw p s d by the private chapel , there he his in r n host kneeling p ayer, and still weari g nin the eve g clothes he had worn overnight . of Once , in the temporary absence a former r a Ea l of Strathmore, a party of guests , he ded by e an ni ff the Count ss herself, made inge ous e ort to discover the secret chamber . Starting on the supposition that it must have a window (but ! o a why ) they hung t wels out of every c sement, concluding that any window which displayed no towel would be the mystic chamber . The attempt w as in re failed , and while it progress my lord

n e a n . w as tur d , with unple sa t results It even sa and r e id that Earl Countess pa t d, never to i meet aga n . It will thus be seen that it is not from want of n e i quiry that the secret has been kept . Sir Walt r and Scott, Sir Augustus Rumbold , Augustus Hare , a t m ny an iquaries have puzzled their brains over it, with the solution as far removed as ever . Lo rd f who w as of Play air, a distant relative the Lyon on w as family, had been the estate as a boy, and possessed with a furious zeal to pluck out the w heart of the mystery . Lord Strathmore as not r the in residence, and young Playfai had run of a his the the pl ce, uncle being one of trustees . I SE CR E T CH A MBE RS 1 8 1

ur his autobio nat ally did my best , he says in t u graphy, o discover the famo s secret and the wf w n a ul mystery connected with it . I drew my o as o as conclusions , which were probably err neous those which have been made by others in regard ” to hi t s famous secret . He left the neighbourhood no wiser . w as i Fifty years passed, and he aga n at the

a . ad was C stle L y Playfair with him, and the then Countess of Strathmore conducted them all over the place . She even Showed me, he says , a not the secret chamber , but secret chamber, ” has fi which de ed so many keen inquirers . She not as a could , we have alre dy proved , have shown she u it if wo ld . Of course many attempts have been made to show that the mystery is of merely commonplace r o of i origin , and the ext a rdinary activities Patr ck, fi o u rst L rd Strathmore, in constr cting secret rooms hi s r s e i . in va ious re idenc s , have been po nted out r s ul to A secret stai ca e, which wo d seem have been u 1 670 a te w as b ilt about , and f rwards bricked up , 1 849 n s discovered in , duri g ome alterations and n c fi e e a sple didly arved replac , whose existenc had not us w as e a been s pected, accidentally r ve led , a

e r i e i - few y a s s nc , in the draw ng room . f hi Patrick, Lord Strathmore, le t be nd him an u his ook acco nt of works, called by him the B of R ecor d r in , printed by the Scottish Histo y Society 1 890 h u . In t is he gives very f ll details of the F s . or work done by him at Glamis Ca tle instance , the tru of s a s ai as so cons ction thi b ck t rc e, long 1 8 2 H A UN T E D H O USE S

e d r forgott n , is distinctly described ; an f om his references to certain leaden statues which he had e r w erect d in the g ounds , these orks of art were recovered from their undig nified seclusion in some of the cellars, and have been restored to their original positions . When confronted with a mystery like that of the secret chamber, one naturally turns to the Book of R ecor d to see if it contains to any allusion this apartment . The diligent student of that remarkable book will find tw o curious entries that seem to have some bearing on u 2 4 h 1 . t 68 4 o this subject Writing on J ne , , L rd Strathmore records the following transaction : Ag ried with the four masones in Glamm iss f or ’ digging down from the floor of the litil pantry ofl the Lobbis a closet designed within the charter w eb house there , for I am to give them 50 lib . m eall scotts and four bolls . The work of co nstructing this closet or small chamber w as more serious than the Earl had con em lated t p . Judging from similar chambers which he caused to be made at his other residence at Castle Lyon (now Castle Huntly) in the Carse of w as Gowrie, the closet probably dug out of the thickness of the wall . On July 2 5th there is another reference to this w a closet, which shows that its construction s an arduous undertaking : I did add to the work before mentioned of a closet in my charterhouse ! several things of a considerable trouble , as the digging thorrow passages from the new work to ho row a aine the old, and t r that closet g so that

1 8 4 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

closet designed within the charter- room has e to d of e be n elevated the ignity a haunt d chamber .

Such ar e the matter- of - fact deductions drawn from the unromantic entries in the Book of R ecor d do not be ee ; but they , it will at once s n , meet and controvert the tales of magic and te rror at all points . CHAPTER I!

FAMILY cus se s (continued)

s e er and the Ers es Ear s Mar—T e B Thoma th Rhym kin , l of h rahan

Seer and the Seaforths .

TH E r he editary curse upon the Erskines , Earls of Mar, is a striking example of these ancient to o family dooms . According the hist rians of of their house , the title of Earl Mar goes back to w as immemorial antiquity, and originally the ” n of o i to Pictish dig ity Ma rmor, infer or only o that of King . There was a Marmor ( r Mormaer as it is sometimes written) of Mar at the Battle of l ar 1 01 4 of C ont f, in ; and the present Earl Mar is reckoned the thirty - third in descent from the a who u i 1 6 chieft in flo r shed in 0 5. There seem to have been quite a number of s f s Marmors ; tho e of Fi e , Moray, Ros , Athole , n a Sutherland and Argyle, amo g others, long g o i converted nto Dukedoms and Earldoms . In every case the original Gaelic families holding n those ancient disti ctions have become extinct, u and the existing Earldom of Mar, altho gh traced back to 1 404 and connected with the original h s olders , is as ociated with them only by a very

r . slender th ead , on the female side 1 85 1 8 6 H A UJVTE D H 0USE S

The origin of the Erskine family name is the subject of an ancient legend which narrates the gory doings of a noble Sco t in the reign of Malcolm to o e the Second . This person appears have g n o Mur thill int the Battle of without a name, and, fi fi a ghting ercely for his King and country, gainst

s . invading Dane , to then and there have earned one He is said to have seized a Danish chief named or to off Enrique , Hendrik , and have cut his e in head ; exclaiming , as , holding the h ad one hand and his bloody dagger in the other, he “ ” E r isk ne e i . e approached the King , . On the dagger and remarking that he intended to do even better in future . The King thereupon , to i s o his according th s wonderful t ry , gave him Gaelic name of E riskene and at the same tim e J e P ence supplied him with a French motto , ” P lus e e , a polyglot performanc that at onc of shakes our belief in the present form the story, has which, like many another family legend , doubt less been generally evolved from some slight basis of s fact . The crest of the Earls of Mar still show a or a hand gr sping a dagger, rather a scimitar, and their motto is the English version of the hi ” original French, I t nk the more . s The de cent of the Earldom, and the arbitrary confiscation of the title rightly belonging to fi Robert, Lord Erskine (properly fteenth Earl r Mar) by James the Thi d of Scotland , are involved genealogical matters only profitably to be followed by the professed genealogist ; but , briefly, the rightful owners of the Earldom only came to their

1 8 8 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

e a e o b c me enact d , and its g od faith is , in so far at

least, beyond suspicion . Proud Chief of Mar : Thou shalt be raised in c of the still higher, until thou Sittest the pla e

n . u and Ki g Thou shalt r le and destroy, thy work shall be called after thy name ; but thy work th and c shall be the emblem of y house, shall tea h man kind that he who cruelly and haughtily raiseth

himself upon the ruins of the holy cannot prosper . Thy work shall be cursed and shall never be fi e nished . But thou shalt have riches and gr at and to ness , shalt be true thy Sovereign , and shalt

fi . raise his banner in the eld of blood Then , when — thou seem est to be highest when thy power is lo w mightiest, then shalt come thy fall ; shalt d be thy hea amongst the nobles of thy people . Deep shall be thy moan among the children of to n dool . Thy lands shall be given the stra ger , and thy titles shall lie amongst the dead . The branch that springs from thee shall see his i n w as dwell ng burnt, in which a ki g nursed, his wife a sacrifice in that same flame ; his children n r ume ous, but of little honour ; and three born n d Yet a gro wn who shall never see the light . shall thine ancient tower stand ; for the brave

n . and the true ca not be wholly forsaken Thou , proud head and daggered hand , must dree thy se weird until hor s shall be stabled in thy hall , and a weaver shall throw his shuttle in thy chamber ’ n a — a of state . Thi e ncient tower woman s dower l u l ash Shal be a r in and a beacon , unti an sapling o Shall spring from its t pmost stone . Then Shall TH E E A RLS OF MA R 1 89

r thy sorrows be ended , and the sunshine of oyalty beam on thee once more . Thine honours shall be restored : the kiss of peace shall be given to she seek not thy Countess, though it , and the days The of peace shall return to thee and thine . line of Mar shall be broken ; but not until its ”

o is . honours are doubled , and its do m ended The personage indicated in the prophecy as Proud chief w as the restored Earl of 1 565 ;

and the prophecy itself would thus seem , by to e e internal evidence , be that of the inc ns d and Cam buskenneth ruined Abbot of , rather than

- of the thirteenth century Thomas the Rhymer . There is too much passion in the diction of this famil y curse upo n the descendants of he who cruelly and haughtily raiseth himself upon the ruins of the holy for it to be the work of a remote clairv oyant hard not stated to have bee n

n - e in any way i jured by the thirteenth c ntury Earl . Let us follow the successive clauses of the curse f u fil and its l ment .

Thou shalt be raised still higher, it began and the twentieth Earl became Regent of Scotland n duri g the minority of James the Sixth , and thus

little less important than the King himself .

Thy work shall be called after thy nam e . r Thy work shall be cu sed , and shall never be ” of finished . This indicates the building a fi b at n : magni cent palace y the Earl , Stirli g a project that he began with stones from the h an demolished Abbey , but w ich neither he nor y

of his descendants completed. This fragment 1 90 H A UN TE D H O USE S

’ as s remains and is still, as ever, known Mar n to be Wor It is a singular buildi g , supposed the finest example of Renaissance architecture in d is — if the Scotlan , and adorned that be quite word with grotesque sculptures and moral set n as maxims , forth in distressing spelli g , such

T HE IO IB I STAND ON OPPIN BI'I'HT N Y FAVLT IS M S UBIECT TO IT HT OIR AR B .

I P RAY AL LVIKARIS ON TH IS BIGING WI H GEN'I'ILE TO GIF ‘l ’ l IAIR IUGING T .

I SAY SPEIK FORTH AND SPAIR NOT BT O N I D B L H C B D I VEI AND CAIR NO T T .

o The pr phecy then becomes a little vague, e r aft r the manner of all p ophecies that ever were , from those in the Bible down to Nixon and O ld

Moore . It goes on to declare that thou shalt be to n hi true thy Sovereig , and shalt raise s banner fi ” in the eld of blood . Unless the prophet is read as of he referring to the house Mar in general , r of r w as the was he e very wide the ma k , for it

great - great - grandson of the Regent who in 1 71 5

joined the rebellion in aid of the Old Pretender, and raised his banner on the bloody field of muir Sheriff .

Then shalt come thy fall ; low shall be thy ad n of Th he amo gst the nobles thy people . y es lands shall be given to the stranger, and thy titl ” the shall lie amongst the dead . This refers to ’ forfeiture and confiscation of the rebel Earl s an e the l re n title d estates , aft r fai ure of the bellio

1 9 2 H A UN TE D H O USE S

1 8 1 5 1 8 2 0 ash- i state and between and , an sapl ng grew and flourished in the topmost stone of the i build ng . That was the final portent ; and many there were who wondered if the sunshine of royalty as d on u n e would, pre icted, beam the nfortu at mi s f r . too c to o fa ly once more That, , ame pa s ; 1 8 2 2 in George the Fourth , visiting Scotland , ’ sought out those who had sufiered in the Stuart m to e cause and restored any their anci nt honours . w as of of the Among them Erskine Mar, grandson who had fi t Earl gured in the rebellion . Grea were the rejoicings in Alloa when the title w as e o o c e ed s r st red . L al poets cel brat the occa ion in o how e verse, and t ld Mr . Erskine was invest d with the honours of the Ear ldom

T e lace a cr w u his ea h y p d o n pon h d , A nd his reas star ma on b t a , n ; A nd o ur gude King has said tha t hence ’ ’ We l ca him Earl Mar man l of , .

H is f u r r e ed r in wi e, altho gh neve p es nt at Cou t, after year s met Queen Victoria by chance in s u Stirling Ca tle . The Queen gave her the unso ght The kiss of peace mentioned in the prophecy . honours of the house were doubled by grandsons one be of this restored Earl being both Earls , “ f of Mar coming Earl o Kellie . Then the line w as k m bro en , for the fa ily name of the Earls of a e of in Mar bec me , in the desc nt the title the ” - e Goodeve . female lin , Erskine

Alloa Tower still stands . It is an ancient

1 94 HA UN TE D H O USE S

n his o w as . re as Fi dhorn , d om pronounced So su c his so an ears he ame to seat, he died ; for m y y the man sion that w as built on to the ancient castle i remained unoccupied . Now, however, the we rd r to res is d eed, and my lord may safely come For D rn w a and a a y . The enduring malignance of the saints is not b err is u to a very saintly attri ute . To h man , v i but e e forgi e div ne when , som wh re away back

in the seventh century , the then owner of Tillie r r e ram coultry, nea Alloa, killed the favou it of i u Tilliecoultr St . Serf, the sa nt la nched upon y the curse that no heir born to the estate should ever ban has e n come into possession . Whether that b e u fi diflicult to meticulously f l lled, it would be say ; but within tw o hundred years the estate succes sively came into the hands of fourteen different m fa ilies . The Seaforth curse is one of the most dramatic f e in o these ancient tales of drea d . It s ems that the time of Charles the Second there dwelt an e one Coinneach a ecc ntric clairvoyant, Odh r Fio saiche a lias h n a lias , the Bra a Seer, the Warlock of t ff the Glen , at S rathpe er , hard by the Earl of ’ r h a o Seaforth s hideous castle of B a an , ne r unt i w as D ngwall town . He a mystical native of the

n - - Western Isla ds , born at Baile na Cille, Uig , and a greatly respected , and perhaps even more gre tly feared , as a seer . Like all the brotherhood of u seers, in all times and in all co ntries, the things and he saw were rarely to the credit, seldom cal culated the to add to happiness, of those who , TH E BRA H A N SE E R 1 9 5

o through him , lo ked into what was happening

or to n u . elsewhere , what was happe in the f ture The wonder therefore remains that these prophets of woe and seers of discreditable and unpleasant things in remote places were so frequently con sulted by people about their own affairs . It could be bette r understoo d if they had been resorted to for the purpose of learning the ills that were to o afflict other pe ple . a bind The Brahan Seer was a mere pe sant, a in the employ of the Seaforths of Brahan but he had a full measure of those supernatural qualities of divination of which the Celtic rac es seem to n have almost the monopoly . The amazi g legends the i n of his mag ical powers, and of white d vi ing e w as to ston with a hole in it , that presented him in by beings not of this world, are still current f ulfilm ents and around Dingwall and Brahan , and of many of his still unfulfil led prophecies are looked forward to by the people w ith com plete i to and t faith in their surely com ng pass , wi h no

little dread in the pro spect . Their faith is the natural outcome of many of his foreshadowings of the future having already been pro ved correct ; and their dread of those yet to be is natural enough when it is said that the predictions are c fl hie y those of disasters and bloody wars . Among the calamities to come is that connected with a n o c an sta ding st ne, called in the Gaelic Cla h

- t Seasardh on db . Coinneach ro , Win ill , Beauly p phesied that when a mountain ash should grow t t e l of F and ou of h wal s airburn Tower, should 1 96 H A UN TE D H 0USE S

u ar - e grow large eno gh to form a c t axle , the tim would be at hand for the raven to drink from the top of Clach an t- Seasardh its fil l of blood of the hr n Mackenzies, for t ee successive days ; whe the Mackenzies should be so reduced in numbers that the sole remnant of them would be able to cross over to Ireland (whence they had come r an is o iginally) in open boat . This not looked f w i an or ard to, it may well be magined, with y s — e plea urable anticipation not, at any rat , by the Mackenzies . The time, however, should be

- as h i r at hand , for the mountain long s nce g ew

r . f om the walls of Fairburn Tower, as foretold Coinn each f is in a h as was in li e , and de t , disturbing to peace of mind as a modern halfpenny and to r is newspaper, it is be emembered that he

- ascer no myth, like Mother Shipton . but a well tained e e p rson , who di d less than two hundred and fif e r an e ty y a s ago, and m y of whose sayings wer taken down from his mouth and preserv ed in n ro nosti writin g . Among ma y other correct p g m n an cations , he foretold the aking of the Caledo i v d a ea Canal , sur eyed a hun red ye rs after his d th ; but his principal achievement is the Seaforth hi e to a Curse, w ch the S aforths owed the mist ken u one his of cr elty of of clients , the Countess is Seaforth . It the merest folly to provoke a seer . r of aff r There are seve al versions this ai , varying

e a r s . in d t ils , but ag eeing in the main i sue It seems that she summoned the warlock to Brahan as to m c was C tle, a use a large ompany she enter a the e of a lin t ining , in absenc the Earl, tr vel g

IN DIS CRE TION 1 9 7 abroad ; and among the feats of clairvoyance she asked the Seer to perform was that of telling herself and her guests what her husband w as w doing at that moment . That is al ays unwise ; and in this instance Coinneach Odhar narrated a the e simple tale which , if it amused gu sts, had the ff the ee e ect of enraging Countess . He had b n ’ to a urgently pressed reveal the E rl s doings ; and ,

n n - to applying his divi i g stone his eye, had gazed r l in o e his ea nest y t it, and merely remark d that lordship w as pleasantly occupied and in no hurry

u not uffi . w as to ret rn . But that was s cient He u e to and rel ctantly comp lled narrate what he saw, how r his told he perceived the Earl in Pa is, on his arm knees before a fair lady, round her waist ua d n at at P ar is and her hand to his lips . Q n o e —as r the poet rema ks . e u the The Count ss violently ab sed man , who ,

e s. You aft r all , had simply obeyed instruction ” of she r e ou have spoken ill dignities , sto m d, y h mi of a have maligned t e ghty the l nd, have de ” e m his fam d a ighty chief in midst of vassals, and r e him so forth, and p esently order d forth for instant execution . It is quite evident that Lady Seaforth was no in the e lady, except conventional s nse ; and it is s ou to al o, when y come coldly consider it, not a t little astonishing tha in Scotland, in the com of es e paratively settled times Charl the S cond, even so mighty a person as a Countess could order off an s to e y per on ex cution , on her own motion ; — and see it done too for the Seer was properly 1 98 H A UN TE D H O USE S

a done to death . You c nnot, however, help think — ing that his clairvoyance w as what shall w e — e say incomplete , and that, if he had seen a littl

a d - d more clearly, he would h ve refuse this ill omene to s : e s of invitation the Ca tle or, at the very l a t it , would have described the absent Earl as engaged or in his devotions , something innocent . For n warlocks die no more willi gly than other men . We must do the guests at Brahan Castle the e and merest justic , tell how, shocked at the vio ’ a lence of Lady Se forth s behaviour , they endea voured e no to sav the unfortunate man . With as w as led to avail but, he being forth his doom, u n and the he t r ed , , inspired by the situation with Sea spirit of prophecy, foretold the doom of the forth posterity o a re I see far int the future, and I re d the

- s e the doom of my oppressor . The long de cend d ov er n line of Seaforth will , or ma y generations

s n . have pa sed , end in exti ction and sorrow I see a a Caber Feidh , the last of his house, both de f and of dumb . He will be the father four fair sons , all to o i of whom he will follow the t mb . He will l ve c win bowed with are, and will die mourning, kno g, as the his he will know , that honours of line are o x f or f t be e tinguished ever , and that no chie of the Mackenzies shall bear rule at Brahan or Kin ro i n tail . Lamenting over the last and most p m si g his i the of sons, he h mself shall sink into grave, and the remnant of his possessions shall be in

it d hi - s r as and her e by a w te coifed la sie f om the E t, h s to ki l her is And b i h s e i l s ter . as a Sig n y wh c z oo H A UN TE D H O USE S

a as and The birds appe red, he had predicted, fi to the dove was rst alight . Legends tell that the Seer flung away his magic stone in a puddle formed by the impression of ’ er a cow s hoof in the road, and that the wat hid e and to ad spread and the ston , continued spre n e Ussie A nd e ll u til it form d Loch . whoso ver sha find that stone will succeed to the knowledge of Coinneach the future once possessed by . It is rather unfortunate for the verisimilitude of this story that Loch Ussie is considerably over h n in a mile from Bra a Castle, the opposite direction from the way to the scene of his on execution the shore, and the Loch itself is t e ra her large for an exaggerat d puddle, being h r r nearly t ree qua te s of a mile across . All the disasters foretold by Coinneach befell ea n the S forths , in the fulness of time, dow to the minutest details ; but we have to observe n that, if this were reve ge, or retribution , it simply missed its mark , and punished the wrong people . t ff The old , unjust law tha the children shall su er

t . w as for the sins of the fa hers , of course It the wife of . the third Earl who brought down this ra not malison upon unborn gene tions . We do hear that she suff ered in any way for hanging the Seer ; and little enough can it matter to know that at some future time your remote descendants

to . are pay, at usury, for your misdeeds was in 1 754— re It , short, not until when mo than seventy summers had flown (to Speak in the language of romantic writers) - that the curse E F H T H E L AST O F T H E S A O RT S .

2 02 H A UN TE D H O USE S

in his time , before the eyes of expectant neigh

- t Sir bours , among whom were the buck oothed

o i - e Hect r Mackenzie, of Ga rloch , the hare lipp d

- Chisholm , the half witted Grant, and the stam mering MacLeod of R aasay. The curse was a matter of common knowledg e

u fi o e . u before its f l lment was acc mplish d Th s , Sir Walter Sco tt is found writing to his friend Morr itt ° I do fear the accomplishment of the prophecy that when there should be a deaf and ” dumb Caber Feidh the house was to fall . The experiences of the unhappy Mackenzie as were unutterably sad . He had four sons , i s foretold . One died an nfant, but the other w r e grew to manhood . They all , ho eve , died befor a their father, who , bere ved , and ruined partly e by his own extravagance, and in part by inevitabl o n disasters , sank int the grave, heartbroke , in 1 8 1 5 a l . The title gain became extinct , Kintai

o w - o as s passed fr m his race, and the hite c ifed l ie from the East w ho was to kill her sister w as his w ho i as eldest daughter Mary , , coming from Ind a d the widow of Admiral Sir Samuel Hoo , inherited ’ s w as the remnant of her father lands , and present w ith her sister in a pony - carriage when the ponies u ran away, and , p lling beyond her strength , over turned the carriage ; with the result that Miss

Mackenzie was killed . H the Lady ood married again , and with her

Seaforth property was finally dispersed .

Ca be r Feidh Gaelic f or stag- head in a llusion to the family cresc . WIT N E SSE S OF FULFILME N T 2 03

Among those who testifie d to having been acquainted with the prophecy before its fulfilment w as - Davison of Tulloch , Lord Lieutenant of Ross to A . . c shire Writing Mr lexander Ma kenzie, “ 2 1 st 1 8 8 : on May , 7 , he said Many of these prophecies I heard upwards of seventy years a o w w fi g , hen many of them ere not ful lled such as the las t Lo rd Seaforth surviving his ’

. c e sons, and Mrs Stewart Mackenzie s a cid nt near h w l c Bra an , by hich Miss Caro ine Ma kenzie was ” killed . CHAPTER !

FA MILY CUBS ES continued)

The Da r m les Earls Sta r—The Tic rne Fam —The l y p , of i hbo ily Lambton Worm

T H E u t Dalrymples, Earls of Stair, were long tho gh fi w ho to be under a ban earned by the rst Earl , a of a f o r when Master of St ir, and Secretary St te S o w as one of c tland under William the Third, those primarily responsible for the infamous 1 3 th Massacre of Glencoe, whereby , on February ,

1 69 2 - d , thirty eight members of the Macdonal a cl n were shot down in cold blood by the soldiery , acting under the peremptory orders of the of Secretary . The wild Gaelic curse Jea n Macdonald upon the authors of this atrocity w as translated as follows

Ma no r s eri t o r r u e y p o p y good fo t n , May no blessing nor length of da ys Be the por tion of the black m urdere rs ma Who have de me poor a nd mise ra ble . May their slee p by night be oft disturbed a nd unrefreshin g ; May fear and terror ha unt their pillows ; Ma e r w ves ever r e arre y th i i p ov b n, usan cur a n e A nd my tho d ses still lone atte d th m .

the Dalrymple , although roughly handled by 1 69 5 was to Commission of , which appointed

2 06 H A UN TE D H O USE S became Howards and Earls and Dukes ; and were great landed proprietors long before the ’ orig inal John - at- town s - end left the last house of his particular town (wherever that w as ) and became Townshend , and commenced climbing up the social ladder that led his descendants into n a Marquisate , and i to quaint marriages and all kinds of odd predicaments . It w as in the reign of Henry the First that the circumstances took place out of which the

Tichborne tradition arose . The Sir Roger r Tichborne of that time ma ried one Mabella, r or Isabella, hei ess to lands in the Isle of t Wight, and hey lived , happily, we may sup d e . pose, many y ars The only thing that woul seem in any way to have troubled that good knight w as the indiscriminate charity to which Af she his lady was prone . ter a long life, at e drew last to her end, and lay upon her d ath he n bed . There s prayed her husba d to keep her memory green in all that countryside by setting apart so much land as would suffice to establish a dole of bread for all comers to the gates of

Tichborne on every Lady Day . Sir Roger acted in much the manner of the on famous Earl Leofric of Coventry, insisting what seemed an impossible feat as a condition

- t d to granting the request . What stony hear e men those antique husbands were 1 o n d In this case, Sir Roger t ok a blazi g bran u from the hearth , and, looking with sat rnine u the n r her as humo r at dying woma , p omised

2 08 H A UN TE D H O USE S

a u f or u r n bec me the exc se an proarious me rymaki g , in of ae the nature a fair, which was the real attr tion : for it is not to be supposed that even the poo rest would journey long distances for the sake

of a penny loaf . More than six hundred years had passed whe n t the i at leng h, towards middle of the e ghteenth e as c c ntury, this semblage of undesirables be ame such a nuisance that representations were made to the family that a st0p ought to be put to in these scenes of low revelry ; and at length, 1 96 rn c 7 , the then Sir Henry Tichbo e dis ontinued

the time - honoured distribution ; substituting in the its stead gifts of equal value, given through agency of the Church to the necessitous poo r of r the parish . Earlier gene ations would have hesi tated to thus disobey the positive injunctions of a w as the Lady Is bella ; but that a material age , and took little count of traditions ; and so Sir one Henry Tichborne dared greatly . If any had e u given the matt r a tho ght, it would have been only to declare how unlikely it was tha t the Tichborne family should be in danger of extine

tion , for Sir Henry had a numerous family. But w as as to when the number incre ed seven, there were ominous shakings of heads at the coinci dence ; and something like panic when in the next r w as mi rs gene ation there a fa ly of seven daughte . a s At the s me time, despite these numerous son , there w as such a remarkable failure of heirs that ’ four of Sir Henry Tichborne s sons succeeded h to . e in turn the title and estates Of these, t LA T E R H IS T OR Y 2 09

Sir T second , Edward ichborne, ninth Baronet, re had in earlier years, before the had been any s mi pro pect of his inheriting the fa ly honours , as in to sumed, addition his own name , that of u u Do ghty , nder the terms of the will of Miss u Do ghty, a distant relative , who bequeathed her to property him on that condition . Thus in his time the family name may be said to have been changed , within the meaning of the r p ophecy . Sir Edward w as succe eded by his brother as r James , tenth Ba onet, the only one of the seven sons of Sir Henry Tichborne who left a was male heir . Sir James father of two sons, w as of whom the elder, Roger, drowned in the of Bella suc mysterious loss the , while Alfred ceeded him . On the death of Sir Alfred Doughty a Tichborne , eleventh Baronet, the prophecy appe red as to u fi at l t be f l lled, for there were then no chil h dren w atever . A very close thing indeed ; but o s u son w as a p th mous , the present Baronet, born a three months after his de th , and so the succession

was preserved . o i t un re The extra rd nary, and indeed al ogether p

cedented ff - , a air of the well remembered Claimant, o Arthur Orton , who personated the last R ger

- u a o Tichborne thirty fo r years g , does not appear to have been foreseen by the ancient Lady

Isabella . e of a a e The leg nd L mbton Castle, ne r Chest r

le - of a Street, in Durham, is one those fe rful old

- folk tales clearly derived from Teutonic sour ces . 2 7 2 1 9 HA UN TED H O USE S

Lambtons as m The , now ennobled Earls of Durha , the have been seated at Lambton Castle, beside f or i river Wear, many centuries , and the fam ly curse traditionally pronounced against them has been expiated for nearly a century and a half ; but the gruesome story gathered from the floating of u u e traditions the co ntryside by S rtees, and print d is by him, still well remembered . The original hero of this tale of the Loathly r a w as a Wo m of the river We r John L mbton , of the Knight Rhodes, an ungodly head of who a e e house, died at l st, penit nt, some tim Lamb n fi . to s in the fteenth century The were, according to popular belie so brave that they feared neither God nor man and so impious that they positively delighted in publicly dese

crating the Sabbath . John Lambton appears to have been the fullest - fledg ed of these evil - living one u knights . On memorable S nday he went u to in forth, as sual, angle the Wear, but went n u unrewarded by even a si gle bite, altho gh he r s whacked the waters for hours . The wayfa er , s on ad to a i pa sing the ro church , he rd w th dismay the fearful new- fangled curses he called down u fish pon the river, the , the day, and anything and everything else a fluent fancy could comprehend . But at last he felt a something tugging at his l s line, and without a struggle anded a loath ome

- object of snake like appearance . He was so disgusted with his catch that he flung it down diflicult a well that stood near by, and with y refrained from flinging after it a foolish person

H A UN T E D H O USE S

creature w as the terror of the neighbourhood Its appetite co mpared favourably with its measur e d n its ments , and flocks and herds vanishe dow w o throat ith lamentable c mpleteness , while its n s re oisome breath blighted the pa tu s . At length all the cattle at a distance were devoured , and the Worm then took up his quarters closer to the as and the C tle preyed upon the herds, and even u of w as people, there ; ntil the milk nine cows e plac d daily for him in a trough . Whenever w as u the m there a shortage in the q antity , Wor

resented it by tearing up the trees in the par k . It is not surprising to learn that the many knights who sought to destroy this imm ensikoff among e monsters w re entirely unsuccessful . When it c d n to is remembered that the Worm , ac or i g the as u me rements already given , must at the least have been one hundred times the size of a tall n man , the o ly wonder is that there were found to those brave enough make the attempt .

In a s d y of old, W en k s w ere h night bold ,

no a as the song says , knight could have found ho lder task than that of attacking the Lambton

Worm . e ate f ew The Worm , indeed , kill d and not a , and maimed more ; and even those who were fortunate enough to get a cut at him found their u labour gone for na ght, because the severed parts

re - e always united themselv s . ur e w r n When John ret n d from the a s, he fou d

2 I4 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

n l greyhou d was then to be released , and wou d thus become the sacrifice indicated . And then the intrepid warrior went forth to hi . as s the encounter He sl hed it with sword , and the Worm on its part sought to enf old him within its constricto r embrace . The aff ray seemed hope less to the people who looked on , from a safe ’ distance ; for no sooner did the knight s sword and razor - studded armour cut slices off his terrible

h h re - h as antagonist t an t ey united t emselves , w as too n before . But Lambton not busy to thi k . It occurred to him that if he stepped into the t river , and fought there, the severed por ions of the ur enemy would be carried away by the c rent, before they had time to piece themselves together i t aga n and thus the vic ory would be his . And so the battle was fought to a finish in the river Wear. The hero hacked and hewed throughout the livelong day, until the best part of nine hundred yards of Worm had floated down a the stre m by sections , and the remaining portion a s w as de d . And then he winded three bla ts upon h an d h his orn , t ere came joyously to meet him t his no the hound , but father ! Him he could not slay and thus nine generations of Lambtons were

doomed . John Lambton himself died in the fulness of a time, but the circumst nces of his death are not as who related . He was the l t of four brothers to a had in turn succeeded the Lambton est tes , but had who w as n he a son , Robert, , however, drow ed at the ew the the a el n bridg e, Bridgford , site of ch p FULFILME N T OF PR OPH E C Y 2 1 5

his where his father had , years before , vowed fi f e s sacri ce in the event o victory . Th la t but one of those aff ected by the doom was Henry

Lambton, who died while crossing the new bridge rr 61 1 . in his ca iage, in 7 His surviving brother, e a e a e General Lambton , liv d to a very dvanc d g , r fi and , fea ing that the prophecy might be ful lled r r by the action of his se vants , unde the impression not r that he could , by the terms of the cu se, die hi comfortably in his bed, kept a horsew p beside him as to in his l t illness, prevent them removing him ; and thus evaded the prediction . Lambto n Cas tle stands in a commanding and c of romantic position , but, although a pla e much fi h old magni cence, is in these days neit er nor fi a castle, having been rebuilt about fty years

ago, in a castellated style . It was greatly o e injured by a subsidence , s me y ars since, having, s e u by some strange over ight , be n b ilt over a

o - disused and forgotten c al pit . The bill upon which the famous Worm coiled w the m e himself is still sho n , and ringed marks ad by him pointed o ut ! The utter impossibility of there ever having been such a creature has led many painstaking writers upon the legend to assume that the whole sto ry is an elaborate or ad alleg ory, in which Danish Norse inv ers , fi r raiding the country in remote times, gu e as

the fabled monster . CHAPTER ! I

T H E D OOM O F T H E SACRILEGIOUS

— She rbo m e Castle and the Game of King O sm und C owdray H ouse — — and the Montag ues New stead Abbey and the Byrons Fyvie ’ - — Castle Moreton Corbet Smithills H all and the Martyr s Foot r t p in .

SIR R P MA his H istor o Sacr ile e HEN Y S EL N , in y f g , set n a o ra n himself the task , ma y years g , of t ci g the history of those families that were enriched chie fly in the reign of Henry the Eighth and — Edward the Sixth by grants of lands and build ings that had long been the property of the ta Church . The work was under ken with the object of show ing how very many families had

been gorged with the spoil of the monasteries , and how a very large proportion of them had suffere d e : and in cons quence , this being the set purpose find of the book , it is not surprising to that a s in ( ccording to Sir Henry Spelman) disa ter, a the v st majority of cases , overtook those sacri le ious fi g bene ciaries . Of late years , a new and has in extended edition of the book been issued , the of Roman Catholic interest, and the story b e has retri ution , as may well be suppos d , not

lost in the revision . But the whole thing is an arrant piece of 2 1 6

2 1 8 H A UN TE D H O USE S

i ow n ext nguished many a poor wretch, but their

prosperity has as yet seen no bounds put to it . hi But in spite of t s remarkable failure, there are some strange recorded instances in which complete disaster and extinction have befallen

- families holding old time manors of the Chur ch . Some little distance away to the eastern side of the picturesque old Dorsetshire town of Sher o r l n s b rne, in the p etty vi lage of Castleton , sta d h a hi h i its u S erborne C stle, w c , w th surro nding

- n w as e to u park la ds , originally giv n the Ch rch f o . by Osmund, King Wessex By the Church we are in this case to un derstand the Bishopric of rn hi w as and r e Sherbo e, w ch then, so emain d 1 0 8 w as until 7 , an independent see ; when it f merged into that o Sarum . e The Saxon King Osmund , in ndowing Sher e i borne with these properties , clinch d his g ft by calling down a curse upon any who should dare to alienate castle o r lands from the Bishop of ” r to h Sherborne . Whosoeve , he is declared ave i the is sa d , shall take these lands from b hopric, i a h or d minish them in gre t or in small, s all be rs not but accu ed, only in this world, also in the to world come, unless in his life he make ” er restitution th eof . Osmund probably never contemplated the revision in dioceses by which the see of Sher borne w as abolished ; and we are not to suppose that the curse was started on its destructive career 1 0 8 . in 7 After all, the lands were still in the r Church, and what mattered it whether they we e TH E BE GIN N IN G OF A CUR SE 1 1 9

h Bishops of S erborne , of Sarum , or (later) of Salisbury who resided in state at Sherborn e Castle ! But not long afte rwards the gift w as indeed alienated within the meaning of the sainted ’ 1 1 3 9 Osmund s malediction . In Bishop Roger of Salisbury, who nine years earlier had built

H B E S ER OBN CASTLE . himself a fine late Norm an Castle on the ruins w as unf or of a smaller residential fortress, so tunate as to be overtaken by the vengeance o f

he ste King Stephen , whose cause had consi ntly

Opposed in favour of Matilda . The King stripped the Bishop of his castles of Devizes and Sherborne and heavily fined him as well and thenceforward the Church lands of Sherborn e became Crown pro H A UN TE D H O USE S

’ perty . Immediately afterwards, Stephen s party

. his t lost ground Later, eldest son , Eus ace, his i one hope , d ed , some said from poison ; and , a a ambition being thus foiled , the King m de pe ce his a with enemy, by which her son, fterwards

Henry the Second , was given the succession . 1 3 55 For over two hundred years , until , Sher n h t bor e Castle and its lands were t us aliena ed , ’ f and Osmund s curse slept . The troubles o the several sovereigns who reigned over England in hi s u t s interval can scarcely be a cribed to this ca se, a and , moreover , continued just as tragic lly after

n . the the la ds had been restored The Crown, in w the n person of Ed ard the Third , granted stro g hold of Sherborne Castle and its de m esne to : le d Montacute, Earl of Salisbury a grant which r at last to a humo ous interlude , the Bishop of a v 1 3 3 0— 1 3 75 S lisbury (Robert Wy ille , ) proposing fi ag to ght the Earl for the property, in g e of single rO o sal to combat . The p p , however, came nothing , and in the end an arrangement w as arrived at by which the whole was purchased by the Bishop for

marks . n Whether the Earl , in Eto ian phrase, funked u s it, and , thinking solemnly of that ancient c r e , imagined the Bishop ’ s steel would be as invincible o who as the sword of the L rd and of Gideon , shall m ! r presu e to say At any ate , Bishop Wyville, e strenuous cleric, who f ared neither the ordeal of the the sword nor of the purse, duly entered into gates of his predecessors Of Old . There remains to this day in Salisbury Cathedral

2 2 2 H A UN T E D H O USE S

a e as of Bishop Wyville, properly h bit d in ecclesi a in tic l vestments , while below is seen standing ’ the doorway the figure of the Bishop s Cham pion h (a very big Bis op, and a very little Champion, by of the way), armed only with a conviction being i in the right, a shield , and a someth ng that looks

- like a coal pick , ready to do battle with all and ’ h is ville s sundry . T is an allusion to Wy deter mination to win back the ancient heritage of the Church and Shows us that it was not scan dalo usl his s y, in own proper per on, that the good w as fi h Bishop prepared to g t, but by deputy , in the shape of one skilled in arms ! The quaint little figures of rabbits seen diving into their burrows at the foot of the brass were placed there to show that the Bishop was owner of the w arren . If the Earl was jockeyed out of Sherborne s b w Ca tle y any ghostly fears, he did rong ; for surely nothing much worse could have befallen him and his than what they suff ered af ter they

of . were quit it Curses , like torpedoes, deal destr uction so indiscriminately after they are once h fi launc ed . The rst Earl had an eye gouged o n a out in Sc ttish warfare ; and , warri g in Fr nce , w as taken prisoner and ignominiously chained and n u the tru dled in a cart through the co ntry, ul fi s pop ace flinging lth over him . He at la t died In from a blow at a joust . a similar knightly e s o had the r mis xerci e, the sec nd Earl fea ful i e fortune to k ll his only son . A Cirenc ste r mob 1 beheaded the third Earl in 400. Parliament A FA TA L GIFT 2 2 3 afterwards heaped on him the indignity of de claring him a traitor ; but he probably did not

much mind that . The fourth and last Earl was

slain ingloriously at the siege of Orleans . Greet w ing the morning sun from a indow, a shot and fragments of stonework carried by it wounded him so And severely that in two days he died . with f ta him the race O Mon cute ended . 1 540 as re Until , Sherborne C tle mained the t was proper y of the Church , when it granted , on fi a i of the con sc t on church holdings , to the r of Lord P otector, the Duke Somerset, uncle of h t e . her King, Edward the Sixth T eupon, the u re its own c rse seems to have again ente d into ,

for a series of tragedies ensued . Somerset was arraigned and executed on a charge of high a tre son ; and after a brief interlude, when Sher borne Castle was resto red by Queen Mary to the h of r u e Bis op Salisbury, it was once mo e sec laris d ,

w as Sir e e 1 59 1 . and given to Walt r Ral igh, in s r e h With thi fatal gift, the p osp rity of t at

gallant and brave heart faded . Transient gleams

of good fortune shone upon him, and he built himself a large and imposing mansion near the but r and him old castle, failu e sorrow dogged t af t in 1 61 8 persis ently there er, and he went the e had ear way that Somers t gone, sixty y s before . irs James the F t, whose foreign policy had cost l his ea e the n tuna Ra eigh h d, then seiz d u for te ’ a to man s estates, and gave Sherborne C stle his so n h eldest , Prince Henry , who died in less t an a year from the date of that gift. Then the 1 1 1 H A UN T E D H 0USE S

’ i u h ca e K ng s nwort y favourite , Robert Carr, be m a the owner ; and he, after being convicted of ’ guilty knowledge of Sir Thomas O verbury s

1 645 . murder, was ruined and died Obscurely in With the grant of Sherborne Castle to the Digby to as family, the curse appears have ce ed , for they n and fi are still , after more than two hu dred fty in years, possession . n e e The roma tic ruins of Cowdr y House , situat d in the meadows immediately outside the High o f n Street the little Sussex tow of Midhurst, point ’ to the eflectiveness of the curse pronounced by a u r monk of Battle Abbey pon the B ownes , the ancient fam ily who owned this place in the reign e of Henry the Eighth . The story t lls how Sir A e fi V nthony Browne, afterwards cr ated rst iscount M ontague , was given the Abbey and the abbey as to the lands of Battle , and made h te dispossess

monks of that ancient establishment . As they as departed , the l t of themturned upon those who thrust them forth and cursed Sir Anthony Browne

in sleeping and waking , in eating and drinking, in his incomings and outgoings ; and in this compre hensive malediction included his posterity, whom

he doomed to extinction by fire and water . The monk did not time the execution of his curse upo n the unoffending generations as yet

u r . nborn , and his baleful p ophecy long slept At s 1 793 e u la t, in , it started , like a belat d alar m ’ ofl m clock , and speedily worked the accu ulated arrears ; for in that year Cowdray House was n h hi burned dow , and the next mont , w le yet

CON CL UDIN G CALAMIT Y 2 2 5 ignorant of the disas ter that had befallen his s V re idence, the last iscount Montag ue but one t of a ff met his dea h by drowning in the Falls L u en , ff near Scha hausen , on the Rhine , when attempting o n s to sho t the rapids in a boat . The ext heir w a a s Roman Catholic priest, who died childless , de pite the fact that he w as dispensed fro m his vows in e h ord r t at he might marry and continue the line . The s e his e tat s were then inherited by sister,

Mrs . Stephen Poyntz , whose two sons were shortly n h afte r wards drow ed at Bognor . Her usband thereupon sold the ill - omened place to the Earl of

Egmont, who , to have dared buy it, must have been a more than ordinarily courageous man ; ini u unless , indeed , he was of op on that the c rse s w a strictly limited to the Browne family . u The r ins , among the most beautiful of the

many ruined historic mansions of England , are those of a noble range of buildings erected about 1 53 0 w by Sir William Fitz illiam, Earl of South ampton . The mouldering shield of arms of Sir Anthony Browne is still visible over the arch of

the great gateway .

The Abbey of Newstead , founded by Henry the Second for a community of black Augustine a Canons , in expiation of the murder of Thomas

1 53 9 . Becket, came to an end in Its income was d £2 1 9 8 . 8 . The 1 8 . s then per annum la t Prior , h and Jo n Blake, surrendered the place peaceably, £ 6 1 3 4 1 8 . d was granted a pension of . 1 540 In May , the property , with other monastic and w as to lands buildings , sold Sir John Byron 2 9 2 2 6 H A UJVT E D H O USE S

n a fin e of Colwick, who speedily set about buildi g e i n s w as r ed residenc adjo ni g the Abbey . Thi fo m partly from the existing domestic buil dings of the as mon tery, but was greatly extended with the stone and other materials torn from the Abbey e n church itself, which he complet ly u roofed and

thoroughly dismantled . The fin e cloister walks i s and the noble, although sadly mut lated, We t its s Front, with empty window, are the mo t i important port ons left . r t The histo y of the Byron family, after hey ’ u e a aflords n had acq ir d Newste d, striki g con firmation of the belief in the penalties supposed l to await the sacri egious . r e Sir Richard Byron, who gar isoned the hous i h to in the cause of K ng C arles , was reduced

. w as a a severe straits His successor, who m de 1 643 and Baron in , died childless in poverty, and his widow was granted a pension of £ 500 a year

the . o at Restoration The second L rd Byron , who had proposed to raise money by felling a thousand of n the a cient oaks of Sherwood Forest, that had w as been presented to him by Charles the First, granted a sum Of money in lieu ; but still the a family remained in very poor circumst nces . He and the third Baron had each one son surviving them . The fourth Baron thrice entered the holy ” w e fi state . There ere no childr n of the rst o ne marriag e, and the three sons and daughter

of the second all died unwed, leaving the family honours to be perpetuated by the children of his

H A UN T E D H O USE S

dismantled possession . The noble woods that had e u s surrounded it had be n cut down , and the st mp w as eds left ; the lake choked with mud and we , the house itself in a pitiful state of neglect and

t . s dilapida ion The damp came up from the floor , e r f and the rain desc nded through the rotten oo ,

and the poet, coming into residence, was reduced r r to a small habitable corne , itself not altog ethe

- rain proof . e s Unable to maintain his inheritanc , Byron old 1 8 1 8 to n il a Newstead in for Colo el W dm n ,

- an . as old school fellow Wildman , at le t, had

plenty of money, and expended on it repairs . To reinstate all s plundered beautie s w as a , however, a work th t required not money be alone, but time ; and although planted exten sivel e y, it was not until comparatively rec nt years that woods of any size waved once more around

. e of m n the Abbey After the d ath Colonel Wild a , 1 8 61 the w as r in , estate again sold, and the pa k , except f or the grounds immediately surrounding

u w as cut u s . the ho se , p into farm e a r Mr . Webb owned N wste d in compa atively uff afflic recent years, and s ered many domestic is e tions . The place now the r sidence of Major h r si General Sir Herbert C e m de . ” e an Newst ad , triumphantly declare the Rom ’ S elm an s H istor o Sacr ile e Catholic editors of p y f g , n to t o longer belongs the Byrons , and the presen has ther or e r the Baron ( ef , we may p esume to run o argument ) six surviving children, f whom thr ee are marrie

2 30 H A UN TE D H O USE S

W t i a c e n a i acle i h n ni h , igh to p nn , Twelve saints had once stood sanctified in stone ; But t ese had al e —not w en the riars e l h f l n h f f l , But in the w ar which str uck Charles from his thr o ne W en eac use was a rta lice as e l h h ho fo , t l The a a s u an li e ne nn l of f ll m y a. n undo The a lant Caval e rs w ho u t va n g l i , fo gh in i For t se w ho ne to resi or rei n ho k w not gn g .

But the n n i e of the n and w e in oo t d moo , h n The win is w n e m o ne n O f heaven d i g d fro poi t , There moans a strange unearthly sound which then — l s musical a dying accent driven

T r the u e ar w so s and s s a ai . h oug h h g ch, hich ar ink g n Some deem it but the distant echo given

Back the n - w the w ate r all to ig ht ind by f , A nd ar se th l ral w all h moni d by e o d cho .

' A mi the c ur a G ic f u ain la d d o t oth o nt p y , ’ S me rical but ck d wi a r i s ua n ym t , de th c v ng q i t S ran e ac s li me n in mas era e t g f e , ke to qu d , A nd r er a s a s r ere a sa t he e p h p mon te , th in ; ’ The spring g ushd through grim mouths of g ranite made A nd s ar l t asi s w r it s e p k ed in o b n , he e p nt Its lit le rr i sa les t to ent n a thou nd bubb , ’ Li m vai l r a his v er t les ke an s n g o y nd ain ro ub .

’ In the cloister garden the monk s fishpond still one of e is remains . At end , a grove tre s neigh boured by a number of lcadcn statues of fauna and

- c to the r s wood nymphs , on e known gaping ustic h ’ ” as t e old lord s devils . A variety of spectres are said to make Newstea d

r h . n or was the thei ome Chief amo g them is , , a r a a e the nas er Bl ck F i r, broth r of old mo t y . — Byron himself saw or said he saw him : OTH E R A CC0UN TS 2 3 1

A monk arrayed In c wl and heads and s ar a e r e o , , du ky g b, pp a d , N ow in the nli and no w a se s a e moo ght, l p d in h d , Wi s e s at ro as eav et un ear th t p th t d h y, y h d .

The Black Friar w as the harbinger of ill to family

’ B the marria e - bed e r r s tis sai y g of th i lo d , d, H e flits on the bridal eve ; ’ A nd tis el as a t t e r be eat h d f i h , to h i d of d h H e c mes— but not rieve o to g .

W e an e r is rn he is ear to m ur n h n h i bo , h d o , A nd w hen aught is to befall T a anc e line in the a e m s e h t i nt , p l oon hin , H e w l s ll a k from hall to ba .

H is rm ou ma race but his ace fo y y t , not f , ’ Tis shadowed by his cowl ; But his e es ma be seen r m the ds e wee y y f o fol b t n , A nd e see a arte s u th y m of p d o l .

Byron declared he saw the Black Friar just before n his marriage with Miss Milba ke, which he described as the most unhappy event of his career . ” Sir John the Little , with the Great Beard , the Sir John Byron of Colwick to whom the Abbey w as r se g anted in the sixteenth century , is suppo d to haunt his old home : and there was once a portrait of him which was said to descend from its m frame at the idnight hour . Once even , a young lady visitor declared she saw him in daylight, fire n . readi g a book by the Washington Irving , too u i , tells of a co s n of the poet, another lady, to whom a White Lady appeared ; but Joaquin ’ Miller s account of how he slept for several nights ’ in Byron s haunted room is disappointing to the 1 3 1 H A UN TE D H O USE S s r u eekers after hor ors , however m ch it may please who the those prefer humorous . ’ his fi ni r e I He says, of rst ght s expe i nce : t was the loveliest night possible . The moon lay

w . u re sed nd on the ater like silver Soon I nd s , a a of set the h stily blew out one the candles , and as other at the bedside, I lay down . I did not ou dare to blow it t . It takes a great deal of

c u u . e ourage to admit this gly tr th The gr at, e i of heavy, rich and tatter d curta ns yellow silk were like tinder, and it was a dangerous thing the ul t r to leave candle burning , partic arly af e But so s dinner . it did not seem to me dangerou , n as to it o ut so just the , blow ; and , I think , I a r fell asleep . Suddenly I he rd , or ather felt, the a as door slowly Open . I looked str ight ahead I not fi e lay there , but did move . A gure ent red from the other door, but I could not see it . I felt n it stop at the table . Then I felt it adva cing a he upon me where I lay . I distinctly he rd t

w o . clink of t candlesticks Then I felt, or rather t w as saw, tha my light being slowly and certainly r s ea withd awn . I cautiou ly turned my h d , and to was just in time see the patient footman, who im s b a had been waiting all the t e out ide , e ring away the lighted candle . Oh ! how ashamed I w as

e Fyvie Castle, the romantic castellated residenc of v e a i of Lord Leith Fy ie , situat d be ut fully upon n of the banks of the river Ythan , in the orth e rad Sco tland , is associat d with a prophecy t itionally uttered by Thomas the Rhymer

FYVIE CAS T LE 2 3 3

F vens r s and wers y igg to , H a ess s al ur mesdames be pl h l yo , T l e l has w t n ur mo hes i l y shal i hi yo t , ’ Eras harr it ir s lan s anes ree y k k d , t th ’ A ne in P r st n s wer e o to , ’ A ne m la s er in y dy bow ,

A nd ane below the w ater - yett A nd it e S a l never et y h l g .

The existing castle is built up around a hoary

e - so as the pe l tower, erected far back thirteenth as century . It p sed from King Robe rt the Second of to his son, Robert the Third , who made a gift it 1 3 9 to Sir James Lindsay . In 0 the tower was to alienated Henry de Preston , who forthwith e to as proc eded enlarge the c tle, and built the ” — - e n it s still xisti g Preston tower, with is suppo ed — the stones of a neighbouring religious house be f e . o d molished Three of these stones , apparently i some particular note, fell nto the Ythan and were s r lo t and not until they are all recove ed (which, of in the above words Thomas the Rhymer, will never be) will the family f or the time being owning the castle perpetuate itself beyond the next generation . This doom of sacrilege (which has not always to i come pass) befell Sir Henry Preston h mself, f o r e wh e he left an only daught r, o marri d a

Meldrum, and thus conveyed the property into

t . s Meldrum s ano her family In the posse sion of the , u 1 596 w as however, it remained ntil , when it e A purchas d by lexander Seton, who was there e o and of i e upon creat d L rd Fyvie Earl Dunferml n . i was e Th s a distinguished nobl man, tutor to 3 0 1 34 H A UN TE D H O USE S

i o e and an Charles the F rst, L rd Chanc llor, o w r amateur architect . He added the Set n to e to v ff as Fy ie Castle, and left a son who su ered san i e an d a parti of the K ng, and so di d , childless

an . . 1 72 6 in poverty , exile at St Germains In w as ee Fyvie purchased by the Earl of Aberd n , o 1 46 was head of the G rdon family, and in 7 de s bequeathed by the Earl to his son , whose e d n e F c n a ts died out in 1 8 84 . Since that dat yvie

- n . a e has belo ged to Mr A . J . Forbes Leith, cre t d F 1 905 Baron Leith of yvie in .

has w - u be Like Glamis , Fyvie its alled p cham r .

This is situated beneath the charter - room in the

- e and to a south west tow r , remains closed owing legend which holds that disasters will befall the owners of Fyvie whenev e r it is opened and explored .

The ruins of the great seventeenth - century mansion of Moreton Corbet , in Shropshire, are w e associated ith a not very convincing l gend . Sufficient remains of the shattered walls to show that this residence w as designe d in a very restrained and chas te variety of Jac obean Renais w as e ra sance . It an when almost every wealthy squire rebuilt his house and began to live with a romantic prodigality . Some , however , failing to e count the cost of their rebuilding , were oblig d fi u fi to leave their magni cent new ho ses un nished , to as many a derelict pile , mouldering decay, still e exists to prove . The house of Moreton Corb t would seem to be a case in point . The Corbets of Shr opshir e are an ancient

2 36 H A UN TE D H O USE S denounced the justly astonished baronet in the most melodramatic style ; ending with the prediction n r Woe u to thee, man of the hardened hea t hardened even as the Lord hardened the heart of u in r . not Pha aoh , to thine own destr ction Rejoice re thy wealth , nor in the halls of thy pride ; for the a O set r sh ll never be a opestone upon them, neithe ’ u h l n shalt tho , nor thy children , nor thy c i dre s n children , dwell therei ; but they shall be a ruin and and a desolation, and the snake the eft and the be adder shall be found there, and thy house shall ” u full of doleful creat res . It is wonderful what a course of short commons and skulking amid ruinous places can do in the

. i s t production of prophets On a generous d et, of a i beds , and pe ce of mind , this sort of th ng would be impossible . Our sympathies go out to Sir V u r s incent Corbet, who obvio sly did not dese ve thi e r e h c abuse, and still l ss dese v d t at the prophe y f ulfilled— as u ars should be it was. The ho se appe was r never to have been completed , and moreove W r battered by the Royalists in the Civil a , in which the Corbets garrisoned it f or the Parliament . mi ea in a ashi e is S thills Hall , n r Bolton L nc r , situated in a beautifully wooded park on a hillside one mile to the north of that unlovely

- cotton spinning town . In the park you may see u s myriads of black rabbits playing abo t like kitten , is rur as ou and the scene delightfully al, but y stand on the terraces in front of the house the c n s h r in ou tles factory c imneys of Bolton, t ail g

1 3 s H A UN T E D H O USE S

- print is shown upon the time worn sto ne pave m ent .

It is described on a wall - tablet as the Foo tprint ”

a . of the Reverend George Marsh , of Deane, M rtyr of a Weird legends are told the stone, p rti cularly that which narrates the disturbance s that i s h followed upon t once being removed . T e s r ea e w as house, it i decla ed, knew no p c until it replaced . r n to ac To the inqui i g mind, not disposed cept a the these fe rful stories without examination , stone is a fragment in which a large admixture of f err u g inous sand produces a rust - coloured stain when

. A S n s s moisture is applied the illustratio how , the stone is carefully preserved from rough usage by being encased in an ornamental iron co ve ring with a hinged lid . ’ r m: MA RT YB B FOOTP RINT s r H , m m nns A LL.

2 4 0 H A UN TE D H O USE S that they are sent to warn those who see them of a violent end . A possible explanation of a similar class o f apparition being found in Cumberland may be sought in the well - ascertained fact of the distr ict having been peopled in the ninth and te n th centuries by settlers from Teutonic and Scan di c u who al h r navian o ntries , would natur ly bring t ei

- folk lore with them . The last authentic record of the appearance of the Radiant Boy of Corby is referred to in the s manuscript volume dated from Corby Ca tle , 2 2 nd 1 8 2 4 as the o December , . In this c e, visi n not to u fi a c does seem have had its us al signi c n e , for the person who beheld it appears to have

ended peacefully enough . In order to introduce my readers [says this n to i a accou t! the haunted room, I w ll mention th t w s it forms part of the old house , with windo w as looking into the court, which in early times e d emed a necessary security against an enemy . It adjoins a tower built by the Ro mans f o r e defence ; for Corby was , probably, more a bord r re tower than a castle of any co nsideration . The as hi and s is a winding stairc e in t s tower, the wall

are from eight to ten feet thick . W ea o ur hen the times became more peac ble ,

e o - and anc st rs enlarged the arrow slit windows , added to that part of the building which looks r e towards the rive Eden . But many alt ration

and additions have been made since then . to u To return the room in question . I m st CORB Y CAS TLE 2 4 1

no or observe that it is by means remote solitary , being surrounded on all sides by chambers that

are constantly inhabited . It is accessible by a as p sage cut through a wall eight feet in thickness,

- and its dimensions are twenty one feet by eighteen . One side of the wainscoting is covered with e is old tap stry , the remainder decorated with family pictures and some ancient pieces of em

n . broidery , probably the handiwork of nu s Over a press which has doors of Venetian glass is an

fi - his ancient oaken gure, with a battle axe in w as one of c hand , which formerly those pla ed to on the walls of the city of Carlisle , represent

o - sentinels . There used t be also an old fashioned u bed , and some dark f rniture in this room ; but so many were the complaints of those who slept there that I w as induced to replace some Of these u articles of f rniture by more modern ones , in the hope of removing a certain air of gloom which I thoug ht might have given rise to the unaccount able reports of apparitions and extraordinary hi a noises w ch were const ntly reaching us . But I regret to say I did not succeed in banishin g the to c to i nocturnal visi r, whi h still continues d sturb

our friends . r us n I shall pass over nume o i stances , and o ne as i select be ng especially remarkable, from the circumstance of the appar ition having been se en by a clergyman well known and highly who not respected in this county, , six weeks to ago, repeated the circumstance a company s of twenty persons, amongst whom were ome 3 1 2 42 HA UN TE D H O USE S

who had previously been entire disbelieve rs ve of in such appearances . The best way, howe r, giving you these particulars will be by subjoining an ro e ti e extract f m my journal , enter d at the m

the event occurred . — 8 1 803 . ia Sept . , Amongst other guests

vi ed to as . t Corby C tle, came the Rev Henry A of Redheu h r ea g , and recto of Greystoke, n r i Penrith, with Mrs . A his wife . Accord ng r s to p evious arrangement , they were to have s remained with us some days, but their vi it

was cut short in a very unexpected manner . On the morning after their arrival we were all

e - - u assembled at br akfast, when a chaise and fo r dashed up to the door in such haste that it knocke d

of flow e - O ur down part the fence of my r garden . of to w ho curiosity was, course, awakened know r n could be arriving at so ea ly an hour, whe , to happening turn my eyes towards Mr . A

I Observed that he appeared extremely agitated . ” our It is carriage, said he . I am very r ea is so ry, but we must absolutely l ve you th ” r mo ning . r and r We natu ally felt, exp essed , consider as as u able surprise, well regret, at this nexpected d departure, representing that we had invite m Colonel and Mrs . S some friends who to to e Mr . A particularly desired meet, din

on . how with us that day Our expostulations , e w as o ever, were in vain ; the br akfast no s oner r us n over than they depa ted, leaving in conster a tion to conjecture what could possibly have

H A UN T E D H O USE S

s as of what I saw at Corby Ca tle, upon my word ” a clergyman . For a hi e many ye rs afterwards, t s s er of the i of r w Rad ant Boy Spoke the occu rence , always ith the greatest seriousness but the visitors to Corby in these openin g years of the twentieth century will not find any belief in the supernatural r hi as ill us linge ing at Corby Castle, w ch , the

tration - shows, is a typical eighteenth century

not r a u s. mansion , and at all ghostly in gene al fe t re l The Howards have long been , and stil are,

owners of Corby . and The room associated with the legend , ” o m e is c monly styl d the Ghost Room, in the i n f . s w older part o the house It o a study . The ancient tapestry and the dark panelling still i a n ar e rema n , and the materi l circumsta ces such that no ghost should despise ; but candour compels the admission that the Radiant Boy of Corby

no longer alarms the household . r l M s . Crowe is a so responsible for the story Of the vision of a Radiant Boy appearing to o r ds o as Captain R bert Stewa t, afterwar L rd C tle o e reagh and second Marquis of L ndonderry, v ry many years before he committed suicide by cutting

hi Place 1 8 2 2 . Un s throat at North Cray , in hi a fortunately, the place where t s spectre appe red is but vaguely referr ed to as in the north of c Ireland , at some ountry house when the then

Captain Stewart w as staying as a guest . The narrative is stated to have been derived from a relative of the ill - fated Marquis

2 46 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

r w ho had had the tired limbs of Captain Stewa t , ’ in a hard day s shooting , it looked very invit g ; r ad sable but, befo e he lay down , he thought it vi to O ff of fire w as u take some the , which blazing p the chimney in what he thought an alarming b n . hi e m sel ma ner Having done t s , stretched hi f h d t e an . upon couch, soon fell asleep He believed he had slept about a couple o f w as r e d hours, when he awoke suddenly, and sta tl by such a vivid light in the room that he thou g ht w as on fire on r to o the it ; but, tu ning l ok at fir e out w as grate, he saw the was , though it from the chimney the light proceeded . He sa t to w as h n up in bed , trying discover what it , w e lf rm he perceived , gradually disclosing itse , the fo of o az a beautiful naked boy, surr unded by a d zling him d . bo and ra iance The y looked at earnestly ,

d w as . a n then the vision fa ed, and all dark Capt i so en Stewart, far from supposing what he had se of a t to be a spiritual nature, had no doubt th or had em the host, the visitors , been amusing th to hi selves at his expense and trying frighten m . I and Accordingly, he felt ndignant at the liberty n e at on the followi g morning, when he appear d s to his s asure breakfa t, he took care evince di ple of n ur an by the reserve his demea o , and by i e nouncing his intention to depart mm diately . di him of his The host expostulated, remin ng promise to stay and shoot . Captain Stewart coldly u a exc sed himself, and at length the gentlem n , hin was n s and seeing somet g wro g, took him a ide pressed f or an explanation ; whereupon Captain ’ ” TH E BO Y S R OOM 2 4 7

rt o s Stewa , without entering int particular , said he had been made the victim of practical joking that he thought quite unwarrantable with a stranger . The gentleman considered this not impossible amongst a number of thoughtless young men , and appealed to them to make an apology ; but one t de and all , on heir honour, nied the impeach n u ment . Sudde ly a tho ght seemed to strike him n to he clapped his ha d his forehead , uttered an

exclamation , and rang the bell . ’ am o H ilt n , he said to the butler, where did Captain Stewart sleep last night P ’ o Well , sir, replied the man , in an ap logetic — tone, you know every place was full the l on gentlemen were ying the floor, three or four ’ in a room - so I gave him the Boy s R o om ; but ’

fire . I lit a blazing , to keep him from coming out ’ r s ou You were very w ong , said the ho t y know I have po sitively forbidden yo u to put an one y there , and have taken the furniture out ’ s not u of the room, to en ure its being occ pied . e in Then , retiring with Captain St wart , he formed him very gravely of the nature of the

phenomenon he had seen ; and at length , being f or m pressed further infor ation , he confessed that there existed a tradition in his family that to whomsoever the Radiant Boy appeared would c fi r ome at rst the greatest p osperity . He would to mi rise the sum t of power ; and then , when had e he r ached the climax , would die a violent ’

a . s o ss de th I mu t say, he c ncluded impre ively, 2 4 8 H A UN TE D H O USE S

the records that have been kept of his app ear ’ ance go to confirm this persuasion . o r e to rea As foret ld, Captain Stewa t ros g t m fi r uis e inence . His father was rst Ma q of l the se co n Londonderry , but he was himse f only d son had r ea d , and at the time of the incident al y The related no very brilliant prospects . dea th of n w e v e his brother in a boati g accident, ho r, n r produced a great cha ge . He became L o d o s tio Castlereagh, and occupied a prominent p i n in Irish aff airs ; being one of the chief figure s in the political manoeuvres which resul ted in 1 8 00 of re n in the Act Union between England and I la d . is That was merely the Opening of his career . H abilities led him onward until he w on a com manding po sition in successive English adminis trations as Secretary of War in 1 805 and ag ain in 1 807 and as Foreign Secretary from 1 8 1 2 m of onwards . A an cold and undemonstr ativ e w as r r ho u nature, he not merely unpopula th oug t ev e n his whole career, but was cordially hated , f by members o his ow n par ty . Yet he w as n o t n e d merely a strong man , such as the times dema d , but also successful in most of his schemes as a

Minister f or the welfare of the nation . H e a w s ul tin l cked , ho ever, the plea ing, if dissim a g , o w as manners that m ake f r popularity . It w e l l “ said that he w as just and passionless an d

do e s that is a character, which , however noble , not to e v e n merely fail attract friendships , but ,

c e a te s by in some way implying superiority, r active dislike .

END OF LORD CAS TLE RE A OH 2 49

1 8 2 1 the of a In , by death his father, he bec me s of his Marqui Londonderry, but he lives in tory as r Lord Castle eagh . In the following year he ff r the su e ed greatly from gout, and continued anxieties of a long and trying public career began n e to u him otic ably tell pon . His manner grew n on n the u of stra g e, and , the suggestio of D ke n o ad u Welli gt n , medical vice was so ght, when it was seen that he was in imminent danger of a losing his re son . So serious did his condition he was fi to u become that con ned his co ntry house , e r North Cray Plac , and his razors we e removed as as his was a precautionary me ure . T care , fo r however, unavailing , he committed suicide his roa t if by cutting th with a penkn e, on 1 2 August th. was r to The event cruelly refe red by Byron , in the unfeeling couplet

’ ” H e s cut his t r at H e ! W a t h o . h ’ " Wh be who cut his c untr s n a o y, o y , lo g g .

A house in the fashionable thoroughfare o f

Hill Street, Berkeley Square, and another in the t m—o as old own of Epso nce a village, and famous i now to a med cinal spa, but almost be reckoned — a suburb of London are associated with the ” Bad remarkable story of the Lord Lyttelton . P c e Pit (not Pitt) la e, a stat ly but somewhat gloomy o ld mansion near the parish church of ’

so s . Ep m, is the scene of thi story s conclusion — The peculiar name of the mansion which is

- e e it generally mis sp ll d , under the impression that 3 2 1 59 H A UN TE D H O USE S

— w as connected with the Pitt family is derived fro m the fact that it was built on the site of an

- e . old chalk pit, some two hundred y ars ago The Lord Lyttelton referred to in this well t of authentica ed story, which is one a death of r n warning rather than p omiscuous haunti gs , who w as in was Thomas, the second Baron , born 1 44 s r u 7 , and who e career might well fo m a st dy for any novelist wishful of drawing the characte r

of a typical Wicked Lord . The account given at the time of Lo rd Lytte l ’ o w as s t n s death by a friend who then vi iting him, a cannot be bettered , in spite of the nause ting ” d s the repetition of his lor ship , which convict n m ff Tom s man of bei g so e ine able Tufto . He aid e to I was at Pit Place , Epsom , when Lord Lytt l n ad l o tw o died . Lord Fortescue , L y F o d , and the

Am hletts . e to Miss p , were also present Lord Lytt l n

had not long been returned from Ireland , and frequently had been seized with suff ocating fits ; he w as attacked by them in the course of the w as in preceding month , while he at his house n h Hill Street, Berkeley Square . It happe ed t at h he dreamt, three days before his deat , that he saw n a an a flutteri g bird , and that fterwards a Wom w hi to him appeared to him in te apparel , and said , ’ Prepare to die yo u will not exist three days . s w as and le to His lord hip much alarmed , cal d r who a servant f om a closet adjoining , found him much agitated and in a profuse perspiration . The circumstance had a considerable eff ect all the next ’ hi on d . day his lor ship s spirits On the t rd day,

TH E BA D L ORD L YT T E LT ON 1 51

which was a Saturday , his lordship was at break was fast with the above personages , and observed to b ut to have grown very thoughtful , attempted carry it o ff by the transparent ruse of accusing he of t others at table unusual gravity . Why do ou so s Are ou y look grave P he a ked . y thinking of the ghost P I am as well as ever I w as in my life e r v e Lat r on he emarked , If I li e ov r to e night , I shall hav jockeyed the ghost, for this is ’ the third day . The whole party presently set o ff for Pit l not r P ace, where they had long ar ived before his his fits lordship was visited by one of accustomed . n er v five After a short i t al , he recovered , dined at ’

and e . o clock, went to bed at leven When his servant was about to give him a dose of rhubarb and - his mint water, lordship , perceiving him stir him ring it with a toothpick , called a slovenly dog, and bid him go and fetch a teaspoon . ’ his On the man s return, he found master in fit n h a , and, the pillow bei g placed high, his c in his bore hard upon neck ; when the servant, instea d of relieving his lordship on the instant r e his f om his p rilous situation , ran, in fright, and called o ut for help ; but on his return he found hi s lordship dead . s r 1 9 Thu died the Bad Lo d Lyttelton in 77 ,

- f in the thirty fifth year o his age . “ SO o r L d Lyttelton did not, after all , jockey the i e e in e ghost, which s repres nt d a n at little copper - plate engraving of the period appearing to 1 51 H A UN TE D H O USE S

e m n of him, in a not unpl asing form, at the mo e t i is e . n s ff his dec ase The ghost , this arti tic e ort, represented in a decorative attitude an d with a smile midway between the seraphic and the merclv o e amused , while Lord Lyttelton dies in the f r r o n so a ground , facing away f om the spectre, a f too e air short for him, and with an unconc rned by no means in accordance with the con ventional

last moments of a libertine . The original of the apparition is said to have M ss . tw o been Mrs Amphlett, mother of the i Am hletts one of w as s ed p , (or both) whom, it tat , had e e the ner the wicked peer s duc d , after man had of . wicked peers The mother, it was said , r r ecently died of a b oken heart . o as d to A weird incident was t ld , an ad ition It had this story . appears that Lord Lyttelto n m one M es purposed visiting an inti ate friend , il da An . r the Peter drews , Esq , at Dartfo d , on y but which proved to be that of his decease ; , c nt feeling unequal to the occasion , chiefly on ac ou at of his vision, he did not join the party Dartford, nor r r s did he send any explanato y excuse . And ew not t to ha himself, feeling well , re ired early bed t t had e w n night, and not long been seeking repos he the curtains of his four - poster were drawn and the fi r w ari a gure of Lo d Lyttelton appeared , e ng dressing - gown of a distinctive pattern that was commonly used by him when stayin g as a guest . The somewhat surprised Andrews at once thought r w as his friend had made a belated a rival, and bent upon some practical joke ; and so called out

T H E D R UMME R OF COR T A CH Y 1 53

fi u to the g re, You are up to some of your tricks . ’ or Go to bed, I ll throw something at you But fi a ad and d the gure merely g zed at him s ly, sai , ’ l A It s a l n . over with me , drews A The thoughts of ndrews , however , were not u at that moment r nning upon the supernatural , and he simply reached out for a slipper and threw i the it at the apparition , wh ch then glided into

- u dre ssing room . Still nder the impression that w as of this part a practical joke , he followed, and c sear hed both rooms, whose doors were closed and M stified bolted . y , but still suspecting nothing but n r v a trick , he ra g the bell and asked the se ants the whereabouts of Lord Lyttelton but none had

d - seen him, and the ressing gown he used was d found un isturbed . Exasperated at being so

puzzled , Mr . Andrews , still convinced that this n to was a trick , forbade the serva ts give Lord fi d o . n Lyttelt n a bed Let him, he said , one at one of the inns in Dartford . It was not until late the next day that he i ’ heard of h s friend s death . He fainted when the w as w as news brought, and not his own man ” g a ain for three years .

The Drummer of Cortachy is a well - known e c its l gend atta hed to Cortachy Castle and owners , s of w u the Ogilvy , Earls Airlie, by hich it wo ld appear that when the sound of the drummer is a heard , a de th in the Ogilvy family may surely be e is a expected . The l gend of piece with many another weird story long current in Scotland, s a be a s who e orig in c n only v g uely gues ed at, but 1 54 H A UN T E D H O USE S

whose existence shadows forth a ver y te r rible picture of Scotland in mediaeval tim e s The original drummer whose ghostly playing is so unwelcome a sound to the Ogilvys appea rs to ha ve of t n bea r in been the messenger some hated chief ai , g ro r ia some unwelcome message . The most app p te act of defiance in E ngland in those time s w o ul d have been to make the m essenger eat his missiv e a e his d m and probably, in the more extreme c s s , ru too but they looked on life more sternly in S ec t n in a n of a e la d that era, and the ple sa tries the sav g ra t chieftains took a more t gic turn ; and , in shor , — is not the Ogilvy of that time history , or leg end , — particular to a century or so had the drummer ff and u r stu ed into his own drum, fl ng f om the of topmost battlements Cortachy . We will not stop to inquire whether it were a very sm all drummer and a very large drum ; but will dw ell e of upon the thr at the boy, or man , to haunt the family for ever after . now According to ancient legends , every and again brought up to date by the alleged rea ppear n of r te a ce the ghostly d umming, the unfortuna hi emissary kept s word . The incidents chiefly dwelt upon are those that too k place at Christmas 8 44 was t as a 1 , when a Miss Dalrymple s aying s f n on guest at Cortachy . When dre sing or din er of ar s c the first evening her arrival , she he d mu i hi e ts under her window, w ch presently resolv d i elf u Of a into the so nd a drum ; and , h ving at that of il n she time never before heard the fam y lege d, a she am to the asked her m id, when next c e in

OME N 2 55

who w as the w ho u e room , drummer co ld be h ard i playing near the house . The maid knew noth ng as to about it , and the subject ce ed for a time ’ cu oc py Miss Dalrymple s mind . But it recurred to sa her at dinner , and she id , addressing Lord w ho is Airlie, My Lord , your drummer P upon w c d hi h his lordship turned pale , La y Airlie looked of distressed , and several the company , who all heard the question , embarrassed whilst the lady, perce iving that she had made some unpleasant no t to allusion , although she knew what their ee n e u f li gs referred , forbor further inquiry ntil

w - i she reached the dra ing room , when , hav ng men tione d the circumstance again to a member of the ! family, she was answered, What have you never heard of the drummer - boy P ” o D Who N , replied Miss alrymple . in the ‘’ world is be r ” e e Why, repli d the other, he is a p rson w ho goes about the house playing his drum when e ev r there is a death impending in the family . The last time he was heard was shortly before the ’ of u fi death the late Co ntess (the Earl s rst wife) , and that is why Lord Airlie became so pale when ou un y mentioned it . The drummer is a very ” s b in mi n ca . plea ant su ject this fa ly, I tell you Miss Dalrymple was naturally much con e not i c rned , and indeed a little frightened at th s explanation , and her alarm being augmented by e w o h aring the sounds on the follo ing day , she to k her departure from Cortachy Castle . This aff air w as very generally know n in the 1 59 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

ere The North , and events were waited with int st . melancholy death of the Countess about five or six w r ifi the months after a ds, at Brighton, sadly ver ed w on legend . A paper as said to have been found r c n on her desk , afte her death, de lari g her convicti that the drum w as for her ; and it has been suggeste d that probably the thing preyed upon ca ata ro the her mind and used the c st phe . But in fi a e her a rst inst nc , from the mode of death , th t does not appear to have been the case ; and in re c a the the second , even if it we , the fa t th t — prognostic was verified remains unaff ected besides who a f in which, those insist upon t king re uge this hypothesis are bound to admit that people not like Lord and Lady Airlie, living in society prone in modern tim es to believe unrese rvedly old u d in family legends , must, before they co l attach such importance to the sound of the drum ha ea r ood outside their walls, ve alr dy had ve y g f or us e reasons believing in its omino charact r . to f 849 A pendant the story o 1 844 is that of 1 , s i ha the n s when it was a d t t, on eve ing of Augu t 1 9 th u s the n , as a yo ng Englishman, a gue t of the i of i was Lord Og lvy , heir to the Earldom Airl e , making his way to a shooting - box belonging to his as d a host, known the Tulchan , accompanie by e a k ess Highlander for guide, he h ard in the d r n that had fallen upon the brooding moors the sound as - o a of a far away band, in which a drum t ok At ed prominent part . the same moment the lig ht

- bo x windows of the shooting came into view . The Englishman asked his guide what such

1 53 H A UN TE D H O USE S

i s ar he on P llar, who e c ved stone wreat d decorati w as c a ul old o ork , ac ording to the fe rf st ry , the w of as ad h an apprentice whose m ter, m dened wit l r a d hi s aft jea ousy at being su p sse in own cr , kil led the lad . ’ all The prentice does not (as he should do, by the canons of the supernatural) haun t the chapel . The legend attached to it conce rns m uch more important peOple : none others indee d than the

- . s n. St Clair Erskines themselves , the Earl of Rossly These legends of supernatural m a nifestations a to o f airs l . belong re ly the ancient line St Cl , 1 778 es a e who ended in 3 but the Erskin , who h v t to the t aken their name and succeeded proper y, n ea e in 1801 and enjoy the Earldom of Rossly , cr t d r fi c e old for thei bene t, claim a ontinuanc of the a n a the portents . These are nothing less th th t on r a hi a es ant chapel , the app o c ng death of d cend f fi r o u re . Sir e its fo nders , seems to be on Walt w as rad and Scott well acquainted with the t ition, explained it in his L ay of the L ast Minstr el

’ O er Roslin all that dreary night A w ondro us blaz e w as seen to gleam ’ T was r a er t an the w atc - fire t b o d h h ligh , A nd re er t a n the ri t m n ea dd h b gh oo b m .

’ It are o n Roal n a cas tled r c gl d i o k,

It r uddied all the copse- wood g len ; ’ ’ T as see n r m Dr e s r es oak w f o yd n g ov of , ’ A nd m se r m caver n d H awt rn gli p d f o ho de n .

Seeme all on fire at c a e ro ud d th h p l p , ’ ’ Where Roslin s chie fs uncoflin d lie ; E ac a r n f or a sa e s r u h b o , bl h o d, S eathe in his ron a n h d i p oply.

2 60 H A UIVTE D H O USE S

1 60 m n o Ferrers in 7 , for murder , any e ti n of a black calf among the white cattle at Char tley m Park anywhere about that ti e . ‘ S ta o r dshir e It was noted , however, by the fi Chr onicle in 1 842 that calves of that descriptio n had been seen for some years past in the her d at e t t l had Chartl y , and ha a death in the fami y

n . i evitably followed Seven black calves , and n e that seven subseque t deaths, were not d in

: of the l Ferret s journal the death seventh Ear , 1 8 2 7 w son V o or in , of his ife , of his isc unt Tamw th, of of the and his daughter, together with those 1 8 4 2 n d eighth Earl , in , and of his daughter, I y 1 8 3 5 l Frances Shirley . In the birth of a b ack calf was followed by the death of the Countess

Ferrers , second wife of the eighth Earl . se The white cattle of Chartley Park are, like tho of a or thum berland s Chillingham C stle , N , suppo ed to R os be survivors of the original wild cattle, the

r imo enias of . a s so p g , Europe They are by no me n ff as c res ino ensive the usual attle of our pastu , and it is considered dangero us for a stranger to approach them . They have been carefully de scribed in the following te rms : Their colou r is the invariably white muzzles black , the whole of inside of the ear and about one - thir d of the u r ed te o tside, from tips downwards, ; horns whi , fine and ards with black tips , very , bent upw ; of u i a b ut some the b lls have a thin upr ght m ne, a o ” l tw o an inch and a ha f, or inches, long . a n of ur l The occ sio al black calf is , co se, we l known to students of natural history as a thro w

CHAPTER ! III

— — — Calverley Hall S ykes Lumb Farm Samlesbury Hall H eath Old a H ll .

T H E reader of these pag es will have already gathered that the twentieth century is inimical d to . u an ghosts Few believe in the supernat ral, the diligent inquirer may quarter England and at the end find that almost everywhere his inquiries o e have been met with the blank l ok of ignoranc , or with contempt for the foolishness that impels an

otherwise sane person to look for haunted houses . of But in the Yorkshire village Calverley, four t a miles from Bradford , if they do not now ac u lly b se believe in Calverley Hall eing a haunted hou , they do still speak of the ghost of the wicked Walter Calverley with a certain amount of respect This is the more remarkable because Calverley is by no means a rustic village steeped in bovine u r agricult ral superstitions , but a grown , and g ow n v r in ing , place of woolle factories , li ing ather ff s the forefront of a air .

Every one in Calverley knows the Old Hall, and most are familiar with more or less authentic u versions of its story. It is a long , low b ilding ac n fi e with tr es of fourtee th , fteenth , and sixt enth but no w b century work , divided into a num er of 2 62

1 94 H A UN TE D H O US E S him h w as u e n , and t us he sec r d and ha ded o ver to justice - as justice w as understood at the O pen f e ing o the sevent enth century . Brought to trial at eas so f ar York , he recovered his r on in tha t he to u refused plead , inc rring thereby the penalty of p eine f or te et dar e awarded to the contuma c ious in that respect . The reason for a criminal brought to trial refusing to plead is found in the fact that in d and u a the event of his plea ing , being event lly u rf ed f ound g ilty , his property was , by law, fo eit to the Crown . Refusing to plead and being f o und a r ead g uilty , he incurred the fe rful penalty al y i w as the ro named , which , in pla n English, p longed agony of being slowly pressed to death i under heavy w eights . This terr ble martyr dom was often incurred by criminals f or the sake of e their families , for by it they saved their prop rty f rom being escheated to the Crown . d Walter Calverley, then , was duly presse to how death at York Castle . Tradition long told an u l s O ld and faithf l servant was with him at the a t, and how the wretched man begged him to end his sufferings the sooner by sitting on the weights ai that were crushing his chest . The old ret ner id o w as h d so ; but , according to the st ry, ang ed a o e for his pains . Tr ditions proceed t t ll how ’

. as a e Calverley was buried at St Mary s, in C tleg t , w as e n his York , but afterwards reinterr d amo g ancestors in Calverley Church . It is perhaps not remarkable that Calverle y village and the roads around it became soon af te r T H E MIN IST E R S ORDE A L 2 65 wards haunted by a fearful spectre of a horseman ridin g a headless ho rse and acting as captain to a number o f other appar itions similarly mounted . These horrible nocturnal equestrians delighted to w ho o is ride down any villagers were f ol h enough, ’ u 0 or unl cky enough , to be out doors after f a night all . They then disappeared into a c ve in and to Calverley Wood , only ceased trouble when the double indignity befell them of the cave being “ quarried away and the vicar laying the ghost of Walter Calverley until such time as the hollies d ceased to grow green in the woo . il Then the v lage had peace, but somewhere about the close of the eighteenth century the Wes Reverend Mr . Burdsall , a preacher in the e to a ni leyan connexion , invit d stay a S turday ght at o his e c i the bl odstained Hall , over against pr a h ng

the w n e e . on morro , had a most unpleasa t xperienc has c n He left a harrowing a cou t of it, in which, after narrating how he w as shown upstairs into

oak - his a large panelled bedroom, and bidding n his frie ds good night , he performed devotions

and retired to rest . not ee a I had b n asleep long , he s ys , before to I thought something crept up my breast, press

. w as a e u ing me much I gre tly agitat d, and str ggled to hard awake . Up to this point we suspect that generous ’ supper which the reverend gentleman s warm hearted Yorkshire hosts had doubtless pressed n upon him . It is astonishi g what fearsome spooks are to be evolved in the silent watches 34 2 66 H A UN T E D H O USE S

of the night from such crude materials as lobster

d - t the Re rend sala , or pork pie , and cer ainly ve ’ Burdsall s in m a i Mr . initial feel gs are sy ptom t c of n nothing more otherworldly tha nig htm ar e . But to resume the narrative : The b e d seemed as if s u n s to swing it had been l ng in sli g , and I

on . cam to m lf was thrown the floor When I e yse , I soon got on my knees and returned than ks to u n m elf God that I was not h rt, and , committi g ys to b d a c o e t m e . Af te His are, I got int second i r fi as n n h lying for about fteen minutes , re o i g wit o f or myself whether I had been thrown out bed, had a me whether I got out in my sleep , to s tisfy u t w as w n a f lly on this poin , I clearly thro out

- e s the second time , from between the bed cloth to

o u as be . flo r , by just s ch a motion before descri d I u m Al mi q ickly got on y knees, to pray to the g hty f or to n ha w as not my safety , and tha k Him t t I f t u to ee hurt . A ter his , I crept nder the bed , f l if

u in . there was anything there , but I fo nd noth g I h as d got into bed for the t ird time . Just I lai ‘ ask Am h myself down , I was led to , I in my rig t ’ ‘ a o senses ! I nswered , Yes , L rd , if ever I had ’ l was any . I had not ain a minute before I

out . ce thrown of bed a third time After this, I on more crept under the bed to ascertain whether all i u the cords were fast, and exam ned ntil I touched

- T i n . all the bed posts , but I fou d all in order h s ’ now on es was about one o clock . I put my cloth , ” e not attempting to lie down any more . And ther , o f w minis with the adoption that ise decision , the ’ ter s uncanny experiences concluded .

S YR E S L UMB 1 9 7

It is to be noted that he did not until after t of w ards learn the his ory the house . In his o wn words : I was afterwards told that this very h ouse had formerly been the residence of Calverley, wh of i w as o , in the reign K ng James the First t ried at York for the murder of his wife (P) and two e to children , and , standing neuter, was pr ssed ” death in the Castle . 1 8 2 About 7 , according to an account published in a of a loc l paper, the village Calverley was thrown into a state of consternation by the in e of one xplicable tolling the church bell night, ’ o r r one r . ather, at o clock in the mo ning The sound continued a long while and aroused the of in n h whole the inhabitants , ceas g o ly w en the u keys were bro ght and the church unlocked . T he combined intelligence of the village unani m ously associated the occurrence with the unquiet s pirit of Will Calverley ; but what it portended none knew . u e ear th Sykes L mb Farm, situat d n e village o f r r n Mellor B ook , between P eston and Blackbur , w as e , very many y ars ago, reputedly haunted by the e t . who ghos of a c rtain Mrs Sykes, with her husband is said to have lived there in the far- off d w ays of Ed ard the Sixth and Henry the Seventh . n not e rt in We eed , how ver, be pa icular, in this s tan e to n or f or n c , a hu dred years so, the survivi g house is certainly no older than the Elizabethan ’ a g e ; and in any case the story is not aflected by the ff di erence in time . and if n Sykes his w e ow ed the farm, and were 2 68 H A UN T E D H O USE S

wealthy with the hoardin gs of their forebears a nd own n co le their savi gs . They were a lonely up , w no an es w h m ith children and only dist t relativ , o u i w ar they discourag ed . Tro bled times of civ l and general social and religious unrest gave them — s —a x us and more particularly Mrs . Syke n io f or t i w u con thoughts he r ealth ; and , after m ch to fill a n m er sideration , they at length decided u b a r u of e rthenware jars with thei gold , and to b ry h An d e ain t e . ed them in orchard there it r m . r a and af ter The fa mer in the course of ye rs died, hi e he him s wife . They never again look d upon t ir

ar . You i ho d see, the opportunities existing n those times for such as they using an accumul a in o tion of money were few . Had they lived ur own age they w ould probably have bought a motor- ca r and become a nuisan ce to other users of l n the road, travelling at an illega speed and putti g f o r n r e ir up at hotels bou ders , and b agging of th

a . a an d p ce Unhappily, they lived in the dark ges , knew nothing of those joys . k e and w as not le Mrs . Sy es di d suddenly, ab to disclose the spot where her wealth lay hid . Relatives distant in kinship and in place of abode d to u eaval in flocke the farm, and a general ph search of the hidden treasure resulted ; but no

ff r . a sse and success rewarded their e o ts Ye rs pa d , the farm many times changed hands ; but the was to th troubled spirit of Mrs . Sykes constant e as s ul d c . as pla e Often , dusk fell , the pe ant wo an n n the meet old wri kled woma , dressed in s e eak to fa hion of a bygone age, but none dar d sp

S YKE S L UMB 1 99

h er . s e ta n Ala , poor ghost In the etiquette p r i h she nl e n to fir ing to suc , o y desir d to be spoke st, un r to be able to comm icate her sec et to the living, and be at rest ; but the fears of those she met kept her for generations patrolling the marches of the

visible and the invisible worlds . And so she might have continued f or years to — in n come might deed even yet be haunti g the spot , but for the happy chance of the then farmer seeing us her one evening when , primed with g enero had r ffi d rl liquor, he cou age su cient to hol pa ey with even more terrible shapes than that of an ancient dam e hobblin g along and supporting herself a with stick . He asked her why she haun ted the place so f en e no n . ad o persist tly, but rec ived a swer Inste w the u speaking, she moved slo ly towards st mp of

- w a old apple tree and pointed, ith a gre t Show

a in to t . of me n g, a par icular spot ar d in Se ch was afterwar s made there, and the

. w as course of digging , the ghost of Mrs Sykes w observed for the last time . When the hoard as o ered a i out disc v and the l st jar l fted , a radiant illumiriated fi smile her face, and her gure melted i e e e to ee . mp rc ptibly away, nev r more be s n e r At another, and lat r, time, Sykes Lumb Fa m was r r or haunted by a mischievous, p ankish spi it, r as an a lt bogga t, in L c shire they style the p o er d n eists . e fin a g Nowa ays , however, the stra g r ds th t it is on ly the older people who know anything a s hin of Lu r bout the e t gs , or Sykes mb Fa m at all . The modern young men who read the weekly rag 2 70 H A UN TE D H OUSE S bag journals and buy picture - postcar ds of actresses ’ with greasy smiles and teeth like den tists adver tisem ents know nothing of the old lore of the

- u . t is iffi u m a to co ntry side In Shor , it a d c lt tter be directed to what w as once Sykes Lum b Farm . has n e It now taken a very humble positio inde d, ’ being a portion of a g ardener s cottage in the rear of a fine modern house belonging to a local timber

er n . The e r i use een m cha t old r po t on of the ho , s

i the s . in the llustration, is the original of tory is now nh is over to the It not i abited , and given

- - ur as s r . : ess p poses of a w h hou e, wood sto e , etc l from any surviving superstition than fro m the s the n ss an d the mallness, dampness, the dark e , n s win in general inco venience of the ro om . The g the foreground is quite modern . N ot more than two miles from Sykes Lumb is ml n oad hi Sa esbury Hall , sta ding beside the br gh is a fine way between Preston and Blackburn . It specimen of the ancient Lancashire type of manorial l of mbe residence, being bui t almost wholly ti r

mi s e . fra ng , with sparing use of masonry and pla t r 1 3 0 The present Hall dates from about 7 , when the site was very differently circumstanced from is now e roa what it . Inst ad of giving upon a b d

- w as and much travelled highway, it then in midst of of a dense forest oaks . The ancient family who took their name from the place had become merged into that of the w t in of e South or hs , the second half the thirt enth e r e Sam lesburv c ntu y, by the marriages of Cic ly de of ter with John de Ewyas , and her only daugh

SA MLE S BUR Y H A LL 2 7 1

w t u t ith Sir Gilber de So thwor h, long before the existing Hall w as built ; and the Southworths themselves were finally dissociated from it when t 1 6 John Southwor h sold the property in 77 . It w as during the Southworth period that the trag edy occurred which has given Samlesbury Hall a place in legends as a haunted house . w ho u Sir John Southworth, r led the place in of the time Queen Elizabeth, was an important personage : had held high military command at w ff Ber ick and elsewhere, and was sometime Sheri u of the Co nty Palatine of Lancaster . But he was a stubborn Roman Catholic : rigid in an age when only suppleness ensured safety, and exclusive e in d aling , wherever possible, only with those of his ow n faith . Conceive the bitter Opposition of such a convinced Papist when he learnt that one of his daughters had form ed an attachment for the Protestant heir of a neighbouring knightly house to but as He refused sanction the engagement ; , r as ever, pa ental opposition merely served to incre e

their romantic attachment . The lovers met and agreed upon an elopement ; but the time and place agreed upon were overheard by an eavesdropping of m to brother the lady, and he deter ined prevent t heir flight . On the fateful evening the lovers met at the a and appointed pl ce, as the young knight moved o ou away with his betr thed, her brother rushed t

from his hiding- place and slew both him and tw o

friends who accompanied him . The bodies were secretly buried within the precincts of the domestic 1 71 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

’ the i ar an chapel of Hall , and , accord ng to H l d s L ancashir e L e ends a r h w as se g , L dy Do ot y nt r she w as n ab oad , to a convent, where kept u der w a strict sur veillan ce . Her mind at las t gave y the name of her murdered lover was ever on her s she di r i un e ears lip , and ed a av ng l atic . Som y ago three skeletons were found near the walls of the and a n c e Hall , popul r Opinion co ne t d them with the tradition . Still, according to the legend, hi e ma on quiet, clear evenings, a lady in w t y be s r s een passing along the gallery and the corrido , and then from the Hall into the grounds . There an on she meets a h dsome knight, who receives her and i her his bended knees, he then accompan es

. o along the walks On arriving at a certain sp t, ’ ro n o ms most p bably the lover s grave, both the pha t and as il n stand still , they seem to utter soft wa i gs e of despair, they embrace ach other, and then their forms rise slowly from the earth and melt aw ay ” into the clear blue of the sur rounding sky . I suspect Harland must have added a g ood deal of imaginative embroidery of his own to the — original legend ; for, inquiring on the spot not with any great expectations of these details being — confirm ed the chauff eur overhauling a motor - car in the courtyard , in a halo of blue, stinking smoke oil and a morass of lubricating , had never seen the like : no r had the cook : while the cotton - spinning ia owner of the Hall at the present day, mildly

dul ent d . g , scoute the entire story w l l is Ho ever that may be, Sa mesbury Ha l

n . ea s a o worth seei g , if for itself alone Many y r g

3 74 H A UN T E D H OUSE S

h a r e . apart f om t village green It is a t ll, s a as n up t nding building, very impressive by re o of of its ornate architecture, the dark hue l the stone of which it is bui t, and the semi defensive arrangement of its courtyard and out

buildings . The park (for such it may almost be styled) looks down upon Wakefield and the Ai o f valley of the re , and the smoky smother the commercial operations that render Wakefield a place very different from the place conjured ’ up in mental pictures of the scene of Go ldsmith s famous Vicar Among the trees you notice a

defensible - looking tower ; while another of the same character flanks the courtyard entrance to the n o f Hall , at the side . The curious hesitatio the builders of the Old Hall between defen ce and the display of as sured safety is shown by

the easy entrance in front . The Hall was built in the reign of Henr y e nt the Eighth , when the early Renaissance movem h was beginning to influence arc itecture . T he new style has not greatly aff ected the exterior of i e in this build ng, but may be distinctly trac d the decorative detail of the cresting of the f l o n . o parapets The arms John Kaye , of Da t ,

. n t together with the initials I . K over the fro w i but door, reveal for hom the house was bu lt, the of r e heraldic shield the Kayes , sculptured he o n han in st ne, is immeasurably more enduri g t t the Kayes themselves, for in less than thir y years they were succeeded by a certain Wil liam 1 593 osed Witham , who himself died in , supp ly

2 76 H A UN TE D H O USE S

e a and em day before her dec ase, most e rnestly phatically conjured her executors to scrupulously fulfil all the provisions contained in it (as tho u gh she had reason to anticipate opposition to her and as hi an r so wishes) ; , a clinc ng clause, y pe n benefiting by her testamentar y dispositio ns who should seek to oppose her executors shou ld thenceforward be deemed to have forfeited all

claims . It is the ghost of Lady Bolles that is said to un ro old a n d ha t the stately oms of her home, to particularly aff ect the han dsome apartm e nt ” i n whi h st ll known as the Ba queting Room , c

includes among its features a fin ely- sculptur ed

- t r m s chimney piece displaying the Wi ham a . r Whether, as being herself a Witham by bi th , and troubled in some manner by the trag ical c ir ’ cum stances of t o r the her fa her s death, whether provisions of her will were no t faithf ully fulfil l e d e min e after all , the authorities could never det r ; “ but her spirit w as at last laid and confined to n i m es a hole in the neighbouri g r ver, still someti ’ ” ou as ars to pointed t Bolles Pit . This appe have been only for a term of years that has now e o l expired , for every and th n rumours of d n r Lady Bolles bei g again at large may be hea d . CHAPTER ! IV

T H E LUCK O F E D EN H ALL

A M n u t F ILY Curses, pursui g nhappy folk hrough m rr in any generations , have been na ated these a and l fi n p ges ; it is , therefore, on y tti g that one of the rarer instances of a family talisman should

be mentioned . is t There no more famous legend , in his land of f o . legends , than that the Luck of Eden Hall a of The m nsion Eden Hall , in Cumberland , which owes its name to the river Eden that flows through the r is not Pa k , itself, viewed from the exterior, a

thing of especial beauty, for it was rebuilt late in the eighte enth century ; but the rare loveliness of its gardens would rescue the most commonplace din of buil gs from contempt . r Eden Hall lies nearly four miles f om Penrith, and has been the home of Musg raves ever since n r the as the reig of Hen y Sixth , when one Thom hi of m i Musgrave , mself the scion an ancient fa ly t e in n set led for c nturies at Musgrave, Westmorla d , married the daughter and the estates of William not w i Stapleton . It does appear at hat per od the Luck came into the possession of the u r of x in M sg aves Eden Hall , e cept that it was — — the unhistorical not to say magical period of 2 77 a 7s H A UN T E D H OUSE S

a. Once upon Time . The era of Once upo n a Time cannot have been much later than that o f Henry f he the Sixth , which saw the advent here o t r f or the ai as — in Musg aves , f ries ce ed ex cept — Ireland to reveal themselves to mortal s some W of s where about the close of the ars the Rose , when the rather more settled era of Ever so Long

A g o dawned . b of One night, in that age of wonders , the utler the Eden Hall , going to draw water from well of St . Cuthbert, near the mansion, surp rised a company of fairies who were holding revel at the

. s u the margin of the well In their mid t, pon

of ed ass. coping the well , stood a curiously paint gl the The butler seized it, and had a struggle with fi him re elves for its possession , when , nding mo the n the than a match for them, y va ished , with partin g warning

If ha ass e t e r rea o r a t t gl i h b k f ll , Farew e the Luc E en H all ll k of d .

But there is a difficulty which no doubt analytical readers have already espied . Fairies we have always understood to be of the build and of n proportions their sovereig , Queen Mab

In shape no bigg er than an agate - stone On the fore finger of an alderman and so how shall we frame to solve the riddle of t i such an one holding h s glass , six inches tall P n The famous glass , still in jealous keepi g , of unbroken , is a beautiful example enamelled

TH E L UCK OF E DE N H ALL 2 79

n of and e graved glassware , a yellowish green . Fairyland was obviously strongly influenced by sh f or the Moori style of ornament, the pattern t on raced the glass in blue and white enamel ,

heightened with red and gold , is of that character . i Provoking people, who do not believe in fa ries, de clare the glass to have come from the south of

T H E UCK OF DE H A WITH IT S TH E CA E . L E N LL, LEA RN S

Spain ; while others say it was used originally as

a chalice, probably for Holy Communion, and n to ae poi t its leathern case of medi val character,

. . r . which bears the I H S . monog am A hundred an d eighty years ago the Luck of

Eden Hall had a narrow escape , for the Duke of

Wharton , at a drinking bout at Sir Christopher ’ Musgrave s , let it fall . The butler, however, 2 80 H A UN TE D H OUSE S

the e dexterously caught it in a napkin, and Duk celebrated the event and his own clums iness in verses beginning

God prosper long from being broke The Lu Ede H a l ck of n l .

At the present day this cherished possession is s in and ecurely locked a strong room at the Hall , h t e key is kept at the Bank of England . Only s on rare occasions is it produced . It is curiou a se that, although the m jority of estates have lap d to more or less remote heir s in the long perio d between the time of Henry the Sixth and the has r a present era, Eden Hall em ined always in the mi has r Musgrave fa ly , and always passed f om father to son .

2 8 2 IN DE !

Eden Hall 2 77 - 80 La er a e D c ess of rmer , ud d l , u h (fo ly E z a e h ueen 2 9 Co ntess D sar 60 li b t , Q , u of y t),

E wort Rect r 13 1 - 41 Littlecote 32 - 36 p h o y, ,

E rs ne ami 18 5- 93 Lo n n Wall 98 ki f ly, do ,

L Famil 16 - yon y, 9 84

e n n n 2 4 - 5 Lytt lto , 2 d Baro , 9 3

Fat er Am r se 153 - 56 h b o , Fe ri Ha l 66 lb g g l ,

- Ferrers Ear s 259 61 Ma n to H al 62 - 65 , l , nni g n l,

F urt Earl 56 Mar rls 18 5 - 93 o h . , Ea of, ’ F vie 03 8th Mar s W r Stirli 190 Y » o k, ng ,

Mars Rev . e r e Mart r 237 h, G o g , y ,

Maz ar n Duc ess 13 - 15 i , h of, Glam s Cast e 168 - 84 i l , s n r Mompe so , M . , Ba hall 10 - 12 Great y , 9 M ra Ear s of 193 o y, l , Gr ffith Anne 143 - 49 i , , M ret Cor et 2 3 4- 36 o on b ,

Mus ra e Fam 2 7 - 80 g v ily, 7

e s 1 3 Haig s of Bem r yde, 9

H m H se 59 - 61 a ou , Newstea e 2 2 5- 32 d Abb y, u t 1 - H ampton Co r , 7, 6 2 9

H eat Old Ha 2 73 - 76 h ll,

H er C i n Farm 164 - 67 ' ” ig h h lto , d e O l J firey, ” Hil s e E am 44 - 49 l id , g h , O smu Kin W 2 13 nd, g of m

H La 3 7 - 42 oby, dy, w Kat arine een Ho ard, (Q em r 1 11 h u P bu y ,

H enr VIII- 2 2 y b en M ! - n rs. S e 2 3 2 5 P , ib l , ds n Dr M chae 42 H . u o , i l, Pit lace 2 49 P , t n Cas le “54 7 Hyl o t , ter e s s 113 - 41 2 69 Pol g i t , , ’ rte s G st 53 - 55 Po ou ho ,

is Cast e 77- 8 2 Pow l , - JessO Dr. Au st s 62 65 p, g u u ,

Ra ant Bo The Cor Kens n on a ace 7 di y, , of by, i g t P l , 2 39 - 44 s e Rev. C ar es 130 King l y , h l , Ram urst Ma r H se 8 - h no ou , 8 92 R c m n a ace 29 i h o d P l ,

Lam t n Cast e 209 - 15 Ri e Cast e 30 b o l , pl y l ,

Fam l 2 10- 15 s in ast e 2 5 - 59 i y, Ro l C l , 7 IND E ! 3 8 3

ha tm 118 U l me Rec r 66 Sadduciamus Tr iump , p y to y, ’ James s ala e 13 - 16 St. P c , lis ur B s R ber Sa b y , i hop of ( o t

- 2 2 W le), 2 2 0 yvil V ers Bar ara D c ess of illi , b , u h 2 - 7 Samles ry Hall, 70 3 bu e a 97 Clev l nd, evere 12 2 - 29 Sampford P ll,

ream S ll The 156- 60 Sc ing ku , ,

ea rt s The 1 94 - 2 03 S fo h , , Wa in t 92 nt 1 4 ll g on, Serf, Sai , 9 Wa e H use Chis c Mall Se m ur Jane ueen He r lpol o , wi k , y o , (Q of n y 96- 98 VIIL) , 16, 19, 2 3

n e 1 1 - - War et R c 6 63 er rne Cas le 2 18 2 4 o ory , Sh bo t , bl t

” - - War e Hall 14 56 S ert n A e 100102 y , 9 ilv o bb y, dl

e v mu - 1 - Wes Re . Sa e 13 1 4 Sm s Ha 6 38 y, , ithill ll, 2 3 l l ’ 1 - Wes rs. Ann S edlin s T er 53 55 , M , 11 p ow , t Wil erf rce Dr a el a er Sta r Ear s 2 4 o , . S ( i , l of, 0 b mu ft w r s f W nc es r Strat m re Earls 168 8 4 a Bis op o i e ), h o , of, d h h t

- S es L m Farm 2 6 - 0 74 77 yk u b , 7 7 ” W Dare 33 - 36 ild ll, Wi am William 67 ndh , , T e w rt The Dr mmer d o h, u of, r Ma r 42 Woodc oft no , 1 17 - 2 2 W le R ert B s Salis yvil , ob , i hop of T mas the mer 1 8 7 2 33 ho Rhy , , r 2 2 0- 2 2 bu y, T c rne am The 2 05 - 2 09 i hbo f ily, , 4 Tilliecoultry, 19

T wer L 8 - 13 o of ondon, Tuns e Farm 163 Y r Cas tle 13 t ad , o k ,

Prinud and bound b Han a W on 4: Puse s y , ats y, La. , London and Ayle bury.