Monday 18th July 2022
Over the Summer period (so far), an old acquaintance of mine - the veteran 'paranormal investigator', Peter Crawley - has been making a most determined effort to investigate the magnificent ruins of Minster Lovell Hall, in Oxfordshire. For anyone who has read more than a couple of books on the paranormal heritage of Britain, I'm sure that the aforementioned site will be highly familiar, as it certainly ranks as one of the most famous (historically speaking) haunted locations on the map!
During one of his most recent visits, my good friend John Chance (of Midlands-based 'GhostcallersUK'), traveled down to Minster Lovell to meet with Peter, for a few hours, and get a look around the location for himself. He was so impressed by the site, he subsequently chose to visit again a couple of days ago (Sat. 16th July) and kindly invited me to go along with him for the journey...
The hall remains that you can see today were built around the middle of the 15th Century, though there were earlier structures on the same spot. One of the main 'paranormal associations' ascribed to the building is that it served as the location for the rather famous 'Mistletoe Bough Bride' legend. Of course, I have to use the words 'associations and ascribed' there, as the hall is only 'one of a number of' properties across the country that have actually been suggested as the source of this tale... For anyone not actually familiar with the story, it is said that, in centuries gone by, there was a grand, Yuletide, family wedding being held at the hall. The service over, celebrations were now in full swing... food and drink being consumed and party games played. Someone (it is sometimes said the bride herself makes the suggestion) declares that they should play 'hide and seek' and the beautiful, young bride is picked as the 'quarry' for the other guests. She runs away to hide... finally choosing a large, linen chest - in a remote part of the building - as her hideaway. Sadly, at this point, joy turns to tragedy, as the catch on the chest clicks shut, trapping the unfortunate girl within! The 'seekers' fail to hear her muffled cries and, despite a considerable search being launched, she is left to a lonely and tragic demise! Wracked with horror and mithered to madness by uncertainty, the young groom spends the following years in a constant, manic search for his beloved... until the fateful day someone finally discovered the chest and opens it... and the truth of the tragedy is revealed! (*In furtherance to the Minster Lovell claim to the 'M.B.B.' legend, the actual 'chest' said to feature in this particular version of the story is kept at Greys Court, Henley, Oxfordshire!)
Whatever the basis of the aforementioned legend, if any, of course, there is said to be the apparition of a young woman in white, sometimes seen around Minster Lovell Hall ruins. Tending to appear mainly in December, it is suggested that SHE is actually the shade of the unfortunate 'Mistletoe Bough Bride'?
One sighting of the ghost - which took place almost 30 yrs ago now - witnessed by two men. They had visited the ruins when they saw what they described as the figure of a very young woman or girl - they estimated around 14 to 16 yrs old - with long, dark hair and a garland of flowers on her head. The dress she wore was white, like a night dress, with a long, gold cord tied around her waist... As they watched, she moved across the Great Hall area and was seen to 'walk up a staircase that wasn't there any longer'! At a height of around 15 feet, she simply vanished...! (*The badly drawn, 'orange arrow' on the image immediately below shows the general location of the missing staircase. Clearly, when the property was in original condition, there would have been a stairway here).
Whatever the basis of the aforementioned legend, if any, of course, there is said to be the apparition of a young woman in white, sometimes seen around Minster Lovell Hall ruins. Tending to appear mainly in December, it is suggested that SHE is actually the shade of the unfortunate 'Mistletoe Bough Bride'?
One sighting of the ghost - which took place almost 30 yrs ago now - witnessed by two men. They had visited the ruins when they saw what they described as the figure of a very young woman or girl - they estimated around 14 to 16 yrs old - with long, dark hair and a garland of flowers on her head. The dress she wore was white, like a night dress, with a long, gold cord tied around her waist... As they watched, she moved across the Great Hall area and was seen to 'walk up a staircase that wasn't there any longer'! At a height of around 15 feet, she simply vanished...! (*The badly drawn, 'orange arrow' on the image immediately below shows the general location of the missing staircase. Clearly, when the property was in original condition, there would have been a stairway here).
The men instantly went over to investigate the spot concerned, but, apart from a cold chill where the staircase would have begun, there was nothing to account for what they'd seen!? They later admitted that they felt privileged to have witnessed such a sight! (And rightly so, of course!)
Yet another 'ghost' associated with the hall - and tying in another legend of grim, lonely death - is that of a mounted knight, in full armour. I have emphasised the word ghost in inverted commas here, as the experience - if true - might not actually be 'ghostly' as such... but an example of a time-slip, perhaps?
In early 1983, a group of American women were staying in Witney (2 miles distant) overnight and chose to take a look at Minster Lovell. Upon visiting what they'd expected to be a ruin, however, they were amazed to find themselves looking at a magnificent, old mansion house instead!? They describe seeing doors, stained and plain-glass windows and a roof (all of which the ruin certainly doesn't have!) While admiring the site, they suddenly became aware of - in the nearby courtyard - a large horse being led by an old man in smock and leggings. Sitting atop the mount was a long-haired man, wearing a breastplate and chain mail armour, carrying a visored helmet. They reported that the horse was clearly mud spattered and covered in lather... and the feeling they got from animal and rider was complete exhaustion.
Yet another 'ghost' associated with the hall - and tying in another legend of grim, lonely death - is that of a mounted knight, in full armour. I have emphasised the word ghost in inverted commas here, as the experience - if true - might not actually be 'ghostly' as such... but an example of a time-slip, perhaps?
In early 1983, a group of American women were staying in Witney (2 miles distant) overnight and chose to take a look at Minster Lovell. Upon visiting what they'd expected to be a ruin, however, they were amazed to find themselves looking at a magnificent, old mansion house instead!? They describe seeing doors, stained and plain-glass windows and a roof (all of which the ruin certainly doesn't have!) While admiring the site, they suddenly became aware of - in the nearby courtyard - a large horse being led by an old man in smock and leggings. Sitting atop the mount was a long-haired man, wearing a breastplate and chain mail armour, carrying a visored helmet. They reported that the horse was clearly mud spattered and covered in lather... and the feeling they got from animal and rider was complete exhaustion.
As they watched this bewildering, little procession, the figures moved from left to right... and simply vanished from sight through a wall in the complex!
One of the sites former owners - Lord Francis Lovell - was forced to go into hiding after the 'Battle Of Stoke' (in 1487), when the forces that he supported were defeated. Local legend has it that he took refuge in a 'secret chamber' at Minster Lovell Hall, relying on one of his most trusted retainers to bring him food and drink. Unfortunately, it is said that the servant suddenly took ill and died almost immediately... meaning that his master was left to an horrific and solitary death, somewhere in the bowels of the building!? It is said that, in 1708, renovation work being carried out at the site revealed this long-lost chamber...!?
One of the sites former owners - Lord Francis Lovell - was forced to go into hiding after the 'Battle Of Stoke' (in 1487), when the forces that he supported were defeated. Local legend has it that he took refuge in a 'secret chamber' at Minster Lovell Hall, relying on one of his most trusted retainers to bring him food and drink. Unfortunately, it is said that the servant suddenly took ill and died almost immediately... meaning that his master was left to an horrific and solitary death, somewhere in the bowels of the building!? It is said that, in 1708, renovation work being carried out at the site revealed this long-lost chamber...!?
Ghosts aside, the little village of Minster Lovell itself appears to have come straight from the pages of a 'Beautiful Britain' calendar... although, situated in the stunning Cotswolds, I guess this is something most would already expect, basically!? Lol! The hall ruins - edged on one side by the pretty River Windrush and St. Kenelm's Church on the other - is a particularly peaceful and charming location to spend a few hours. I'd imagine the area might possibly take on a slightly different aspect after nightfall, perhaps, but it's certainly one of the most charming locations I recall visiting and somewhere that I'd love to investigate personally, at some point...
As with any such adventure, I'd like to extend a massive 'THANK YOU!' to John Chance for his unfaltering kindness! VERY much appreciated indeed matey, I assure you!
As with any such adventure, I'd like to extend a massive 'THANK YOU!' to John Chance for his unfaltering kindness! VERY much appreciated indeed matey, I assure you!
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