Saturday, 31st October 2020
Despite all of my travels throughout this region (and beyond) over the decades, I'd somehow managed to miss visiting the relatively close-by hamlet of Kings Norton, situated just a few miles away, on the opposite side of Birmingham City. I'd been aware of the ghostly heritage of the related location, St. Nicholas' Place, for many years - and had always planned to go - but just never seemed to get round to it, for whatever reason...?
However: In more recent times, one of our social media friends (and an acquaintance of mine for many years), Pat Taylor, had made a number of references to the area on the W.M.G.C. Facebook page (LINK), concerning it's associated ghost stories. As well as long being fascinated by paranormal matters, Pat also happens to have been an active volunteer at the historic property known as 'The Tudor Merchants House' - formerly, commonly, known as 'The Saracens Head' - located in St. Nicholas' Place. (Above image). As readers may well imagine, this property - the oldest parts of which date from the very late 15th Cent. - has played many roles over it's long history. The 'Saracens Head' title comes from the fact that part of the overall building had been turned into a public house, of that name, by 1700......
And it is here that one of the key ghost stories associated with the area appears. It is recorded that, during the English Civil War period, Queen Henrietta Maria stayed at the property, as she passed through the region with a force of some five and a half thousand men. As frequently happened, such armies were at the constant mercy of a variety of devastating illnesses and, at this point, the contingent of royal followers were visited by an outbreak of influenza. For safety reasons, Queen Henrietta was housed in the Saracens Head, while her troops camped nearby. In order to pass messages between the two parties, an unnamed maidservant of the queen was used as a 'runner'. Typically, with the virulent nature of such conditions back then, it wasn't long until the unfortunate girl was also afflicted with the virus.......
When the army chose to move on, the servant was still very ill and, therefore, was left behind. Sadly, instead of improving, the girl passed away... and it is her ghost that is said to haunt the location to this day. While it is often said that her apparition has been experienced, walking the upper floors of the property, looking for her long-gone Queen, it has to be noted that she appears to be very much a 'legendary' ghost and, while she is alleged to be there, actual 'first-hand experiences with' her sad spectre are either strangely unrecorded or perhaps just a matter of popular myth?
Situated on the opposite side of the churchyard to The Saracens Head is the beautiful 'Old Grammar School'. Possibly built, originally, as the priests house to St. Nicholas' Church, this lovely, little property also has an associated ghost story.....
Some years ago, I was contacted by a lady who - as a girl - had attended a function in the area with a friend. In exploring around the church, they had spotted the Grammar School and - 'as you do' - had, inquisitively, gone over to peep in at the windows...... As they squinted through the grimy glass, they became aware of a group of what appeared to be 'school children', dressed in period style, apparently staring right back at them!! Whatever the girls had see, they were not interested in exploring any more and... safe to say.... they quickly exited the scene!!
Once again, I am greatly indebted to my good friend, John Chance - of Ghostcallers UK - for allowing me to accompany him on his recent visit to this fascinating and historic area!! Many thanks matey!!
No comments:
Post a Comment