Myths and Legends of Cheshire

HIGHWAYMEN OF CHESHIRE

2011-05-07T04:07:00.000-07:00

I have already written about Edward Higgins and Dick Turpin on my blog. But in this section, I will add more tales as I hear of them.

The first I will tell you about is John Proudlove and he was the last man to be hanged in Cheshire for Highway robbery.

THE MIDDLEWICH GANG

This gang was a ruthless band of thieves that had been terrorising the area during the 1820's. They didnt travel on horseback and shout "stand and deliever" but they attacked on lone country roads and rob you at force and they would also break into your home. They would follow on foot after they had watched you for a while.

The members of this gang were:- John Proudlove (age 25), John Leir (age 21), James Harrop (29), James Statham (age 26), John Bostock (age 33), James Walker, brothers Peter (age 28) and John Alcock (age 19) and Samuel Patterson.

John Proudlove was married with two children and his wife was pregant again. They lived in Sandbach and he was a shoemaker by trade. He had had a poor childhood but he had seemed to have made a good living and a respectable member of society but his past had been mard with the death of his father, his mother travelled with a horse and cart selling various goods and he had also witness his brother's death. John had only been about five or six years old when his brother, William, was hung at Chester for thieving.

John Leir was not married but he came from a good family. He was well educated. He worked for Messrs Bull and Co of Sandbach, as a silk weaver.

There seems to have been another member of this gang. Some say he was the leader and very violent but no one ever found out who he was and he was never caught (that we know).

John Proudlove was caught when he robbed a farmer on the Sandbach to Betchton road. And this was thought to have been his only crime until his trail. It was then, he was connected with the gang and other offences came to light, He was sentenced to be executed at Chester in 1829. James Harrop and James Statham had been drinking with John that night, when they singled out the farmer, Robert Moseley. It was Christmas Eve 1828. Both Jame's were sentenced to a death being recorded against them, which meant they were transported away and never to return to this country.

John Leir, John Bostock, James Walker, Peter and John Alcock, and Samuel Patterson were all charged with aggravated burglary. After they had broken into and robbed the home of Rev Bloor at Cross Lanes near Middlewich. They left him bably beaten and close to death. John Leir was found guilty and sentenced to death. Everyone else was found not guilty apart from Samuel Petterson. He too had been found guilty but I dont know his punishment.

John Leir and his friend John Proudlove were both hanged at Chester on Saturday 9th May 1829.

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GEORGE GROOM

He was a 32 year old labourer, married with five children, living in Alsager. George was found guilty of attacking James Kennerley. James (a disabled pensioner) was driving his horse and cart through the village of Odd Rode in Astbury at about 5am on the morning of 27th February 1822.

This was not George's one and only offence but it was his most brutal. He was convicted at the Spring Assizes in 1822 at Chester and executed on Saturday 4th May 1822.

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JOHN GREEN and THOMAS ALLMOND

John lived just outside Shavington with his wife, Elizabeth and five children. They lived with Elizabeth's sister, her husband, Thomas and their six children.

John Green and Thomas Allmond had been charged and tried for burglary. John was 34 years old and Thomas was 27 years old. Their victims were Samuel Dean, age 65 and his wife. They lived in an isolated cottage at Bridgemere. Just after midnight on the 16th May 1826, they were woken up by someone knocking their front door down. Two men were in their house and Samuel recognised John. Samuel and his wife were threatened and their house was ransacked.

John and Thomas made their escape but as they did, they left a trail of goods following them lying on the ground. A local constable, Samuel and some neighbours went to John's house and after finding more of Samuel's items, both John and Thomas were arrested.

John Green was found guilty and hung at Chester on the 26th August 1826. Thomas Allmond had been acquitted. It was said that John had threatened Thomas into helping him. John knew the area very well and could have attacked Samuel anytime travelling home. John also carried a pistol and he could have also been responsible for some smaller roadside hold ups but this was never proved.

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WILLIAM HEATH

William attacked a group of men returning home from a Nantwich Fair in 1841. He was charged with assult rather than robbery. He had stolen some money off one of the men he had hit but he ran of when they had shouted "murder". At his trail, William got two months hard labour.

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JOHN SMITH

John led a gang of about six men who around the 1590's, wreaked havoc around Haslington, Nr Crewe. They used swords, daggers and even canons.

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ROBERT SPONNE

In and around 1602, Robert was a notorious theif and general trouble maker. His area was Warmingham, Sandbach and Middlewich.

Everyone was scared of him, he would even fed his own cattle on other people's land.

Eventhough many of his band of men were caught and hung, Robert always escaped justice.

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HARRISON GANG

These highwaymen terrorised the area between the River Mersey and the River Severn (warrington and Shrewsbury). The members were:- two brothers - Thomas and Richard Harrison and John Norman (age 19 yrs).

Their reign of terror ran during the late 1660's. Thomas and Richard also stole horses and John would find safe houses for them.

In 1668, the gang were respinsible for stealing -
... 2 male horses and 1 mare from Mr Gill at Cuddington (these were later found abandoned on Bartington Heath)
... a mare stolen from John Massey from Bickerton
... a mare stolen from Mr Ashbrook from near Tattenhall
... a horse stolen from Mr Alderman from near Over

Thomas and Richard were nearly caught outside Whitchurch after negotiations with John Carnhill to exchange a stolen horse went wrong. But John was caught at Acton Bridge after trying to find a safe house.

PRIESTY FIELDS, CONGLETON

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Priesty Fields got its name from the legend that there wasnt a Priest to perform services at Congleton. The nearest Priest was based at nearby Astbury. He would walk along an ancient medieval pathway which ran across these fields between the Parish Church at Astbury and St Peter's Church in Congleton.

This pathway crosses Howty Brook. The bridge's foundations date from the 11th century. The brook was the town's source of drinking water until it became polluted.

The first photo is St Peter's Church and the second is the parish church at Astbury.

This area is the scene of my next two tales.

TREASURE AT PRIESTY FIELDS

A hoard of three and a half thousand silver coins were found not far from the bridge in April 1992. The coins were sealed in two ceramic pots and two ceramic wine flagons. The coins were made up of sixpences, shillings, half crowns and crowns These coins were from the reigns of Edward 6th, Philip and Mary, Elizabeth 1st, James 1st, Chearle 1st and Charles 2nd.

It is said, they belonged to a Royalist named John Walker. He died in 1672. He was a local business man as well as Mayor. The coins are now on show at Northwich Salt Museum.

But why did John Walker have to hide these coins and is there anymore still hidden? And why this place?

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MURDER AT PRIESTY FIELDS

I have already written a version of this story in "MURDER IN NORTHWICH", but since I had put that on my blog, I have heard about this version.

In November 1776, the people of Congleton were peparing for an annual fair. This is known as a hiring fair, this was the time when workers/labours who were seeking employment or a change in jobs would come and talk to employers at the fair. Once a bargin or terms had been made, it was sealed by the employer handing over a shilling and the new employee would start on the 1st January.

Anne Smith was a Ballad Singer. Two weeks before the fair, she was lodging in Congleton and earing a living singing ballards in public houses. She told the people where she was loding that she was going away but she would return before the fair.

Samuel Thorley was a Butcher's assistant and part time cattle slaughter and grave digger.

The two met in Astbury village on a wednesday afternoon, two days before the fair. For whatever reason, Mary agreed to go with Samuel to Priesty Fields. Once there, Samuel killed Mary. He cut up her body and disposed of most of it by nearby Howty Brook.

On Saturday morning, after the fair, Mr Newman Garside, a weaver, and a young boy who was helping him came across a terrible sight. They had taken Mr Garside's cows down to Priesty Fields to graze and they saw a cloak on the ground on the other side of the brook. When they went for a closer look, they had noticed that this cloak had blood on. The Police had been called and a search had started. This was when poor Mary's body was found in several pieces.

Samuel fell immediately into suspicion, he was arrested for Mary's murder and taken to Chester. He was found guilty and sentenced to hang. Such was the outcry in Congleton, that his body was brought back and he was hung at its western boundary line for everyone to see.

THE IMAGE HOUSE, BUNBURY

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This house dates from the early 1800's and was part of the Peckforton Estate. It is located on the Whitchurch road, near Bunbury Heath.

It was built by Seth Shone on common land, using an old law "SQUATTERS RIGHTS". This law stated that if you could build a house in twenty four hours and have smoke coming from its chimmey, the property became yours. Seth completed this and lived in the house until he was wrongly convicted of poaching. He was deported to Australia. He served eight years and then he returned home. Once home, he started carving stone faces, some say they were the faces of the people who wrongly accused and sentenced him..... the Bailiff, Judge, Gamekeeper and the Jury. He also carved a jackdaw and a fox.

Seth cursed all the stone faces. He also made a stone face which represented the Devil (so that the curse remained). These were then placed on the exterior of his house.

This house was featured in a book THE SHINY NIGHT by Beatrice Tunstall and it was know as the Clock Abbot.

Below the Peckforton Hills by the Peckforton Mere, there was another house with similar stone heads.

DICK TURPIN

2011-04-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

We have all read the books, seen the films and/or watched the t.v shows, showing this charater. I am sure we all remember the popular 1970's television series Dick Turpin starring Richard O'Sullivan or even the 1974 Carry on film, Carry on Dick starring Sid James and others.

But as with all historical events, legend and fact are often mixed together. Dick Turpin has been romanticised as a dashing and heroic highwayman but, as we will find out, he was in fact a violent criminal, fugitive and murderer. Not the gentleman highwayman at all.

Richard Turpin was born on the 21st September 1705 at (according to legend) The Spaniards Inn near Hampstead, Essex. Although according to parish records and notes made during his trial, he was born at The Blue Bell Inn, Hampstead. He was baptized on the 21st September 1706 and died on the 7th April 1739 in York.

His father was the licensee of The Blue Bell Inn (later the Rose and Crown). It is said that this is where Dick Turpin got invloved with the smugglers from the coast of East Anglia, as his father knew them.

By the age of 16, Turpin moved to the Whitechapel area of London and took an apprenticeship as a butcher.

Turpin was 23 when he married his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth Millington in 1728 and moved to Buckhurst Hill, Essex. Turpin opened his own butcher's shop. This would lead Turpin on his criminal path. Instead of paying suppliers for his stock, Turpin stole his stock. He was caught stealing two oxen and had to flee leaving behind his wife and business. He hid in the caves along the coast of East Anglia, perhapes mixing with the smugglers he had met as a child. He moved to Epping Forest some time later.

While hiding in the forest, he got involved with The Gregory Gang (otherwise known as The Essex Gang). They were about 20 in this group and they were famous for poaching the King's royal game. Poaching from the King was considered high treason. If caught you faced the gallows or worse, hung, drawn and quartered.

There were three ringleaders of the Gregory Gang, they were Samuel, Jasper and Jeremy Gregory (all brothers). The other gangmembers included:- Thomas Hadfield, Thomas Barnfield, Thomas Rowden, Mary Brazier, John Fielder, Herbert Haines, John Jones, James Parkinson, Joseph Rose, Ned Rust, William Saunders, Humphry Walker and John Wheeler.

The gang were involved in poaching and armed robbery. They would force themselves into usually isolated houses and terrorise the occupants until they got what they wanted.

By 1735, the London Evening Post regularly reported what Turpin and The Essex Gang were doing. Even King George 11 had offered a reward of £50 for their capture.

On 8th February 1735, the Read's Journal reported on the gang's last criminal activity. It is the best surviving account of the gang's activites. It is known as The Loughton Incident. " On Saturday night (1st Feb) last, five rogues entered the house of Widow Shelley at Loughton in Essex, having pistols, and threatened to murder the old lady, if she would not tell them where her money lay, which she obstinately refusing for some time, they threatened to lay her across the fire, if she did not instantly tell them, which she would not do. But her son being in the room, and threatened to be murdered, cried out, he would tell them if they would not murder his mother, and did, whereupon they went upstairs, and took near £100, a silver tankard, and other plate, and all manner of household goods."

"They afterwards went into the cellar and drank several bottles of ale and wine, and broiled some meat, ate the relicts of a filet of veal. While they were doing this, two of the gang went to Mr Turkles, a farmer, who rents one end of the widow's house, and robbed him of above £20, and then they all went off, taking two of the farmer's horses, to carry off their luggage, the horses were found on Sunday the following morning in Old Street."

This was the end of The Gregory Gang. Shortly after the Loughton incident, constables tracked them down whilst the gang were in a tavern in Westminster. Turpin and Thomas Hadfield escaped by jumping out of a window.

Most of the gang were captured and executed including the three brothers.

Turpin joined forces with another member of the gang who escaped and that was Thomas Rowden.

They changed their tactics from robbing isolated farmhouses to robbing stage coaches passing through Epping Forest. Now Turpin was a highwayman. He joined forces with Tom King. Tom was known as The Gentleman Highwayman. He was also known as Captain King. He was dashing and was kind and flattering to his victims. This proved to be a highly successful partnership.

They established a hide out at the remains of an Iron Age Fort, now known as Loughton Camp. From this area in Epping Forest, they could watch a certain road without being seen. They robbed just about everyone who travelled on it, even peddlars started to carry weapons for protection.

By the middle 1730's, the bounty on Turpin's head was just over £100.

By May 1735, Turpin had probably became a murderer. His first kill is said to be Thomas Morris on 4th May. Morris was a servant of Henry Thomson (one of the keeper's of Epping Forest). Morris accidentally came across Turpin at Fairmead Bottom, Near Laughton. Morris tried to capture Turpin so he could claim the reward but Turpin shot him.

Now I will tell you how Turpin found Black Bess. One night while riding on the London road on the way to met Tom King. He saw a beautiful black horse ridden by Mr Major. Turpin pointed a musket in his face and forced him to swop horses. Mr Majors informed the constables about his horse and named Turpin as the thief. The horse was traced to The Red Lion pub in Whitechapel (where Turpin had stabled it). Tom King went to collect the horse for Turpin but he was recognised and arrested. Turpin had been watching and opened fire on the constables. King broke free but it is said that Turpin shot him by mistake. Believing that he had killed his friend, Turpin fled on Black Bess. As King lay dying from his gunshot wound, he told the surviving constables the locations of their hideouts. Perhapes he was seeking revenge for Turpin shooting him.

It was at this time that Turpin was said to have rode Black Bess to York. We all know that this ride is nearlly impossible to have happened the way it is written in folklore but Turpin could have travelled this path, stopping at a tavern or two and it taken longer. Now it is well known that Turpin first rode into Lincolnshire following the Whitechapel skirmish, then to the Humber, into the Yorkshire town of Brough, near Hull, before making his first visit to York.

Turpin took up a new life in the North of England and called himself John Palmer. He bought barns and stables in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. He posed as a wealthy and respectable horse dealer. But what his customers didnt know was that he was dealing in stolen horses. John Palmer was caught and arrested in the early part of 1739. He was caught shooting his landlord's gamecock and threatening to shoot a bystander. He was living at The Ferry Inn at Brough, 12 miles from Hull at the time. He was found out regarding the horse stealing and tranferred to the dungeons of York's Debtor's Prison (now part of York Castle Museum).

From his cell, he wrote to his brother in law for help but the postage was payable by the recipient and Turpin's brother in law refused to pay the sixpence postage. The unread letter fell into the hands of John Smith, the village postmaster and schoolmaster. He recognised the handwriting and travelled to York to identify Palmer as Turpin. John Smith collected a £2oo reward.

On 22nd March 1739, Richard Turpin alias John Palmer, was convicted of being a horse rustler. But he was never convicted of being a highwayman.

On 7th April 1739, Dick Turpin rode through the streets of York, dressed in his new clothes and shoes, bowing to the crowds that lined the streets. At York Knavesmire (now the racecourse), he climbed to the scaffold and addressed the crowd for half an hour. Ironically, Turpin's hangman was Thomas Hadfield, once Turpins friend and former Gregory Gang. He was pardoned because he had agreed to be the hangman. Perhapes, this is why when Turpin found out and saw him, he threw himself off the ladder.

Turpin's body was buried at St George's Churchyard. His body was buried in quicklime so to destroy the remains quickly. A headstone in the churchyard commemorates him but it is not at the correct location. His remains have never been found.

But what has this to do with Cheshire. There are three pubs in Cheshire that have a long history of Dick Turpin. It is claimed that he stayed in .................................

THE HAWK INN, HASLINGTON, NR CREWE

THE SARACENS HEAD, WARBURTON, NR LYMM

THE KILTON, KNUTSFORD

CHESHIRE's FAIRY FOLK

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Like other area's of the British Isles, Cheshire has tales about fairies. Belief in these has wained over the years esp as more and more homes are built to house our growing population, old little villages are becoming more like towns. But there are still people out there that still believe or are just a little too scared not to carry on the tradition, just in case.

There are many areas across Cheshire that is supposed to house fairy folk. Many ancient burial mounds or tumulus are said to be guarded by these little people.

Another sign is a circle of grass that is both a different colour and texture to the rest of the area. These are known as a Fairy Ring. It is beleived that fairy's met here and hold dances. There are a couple of rules to follow if you fing one of these rings ------

---- Dont damage the area
--- Dont sit in this area, esp on May Eve, Midsummer's Eve and All Hallow's Eve because you could find yourself in the fairy realm, never to return.
--- always acknowldge them as you walk pass either by nodding your head or saying hello, bad luck will befall you if you dont.

But if you wish to see the little people, it is said you can if you run around the ring nine times, clockwise, on a full moon.

Many areas in Cheshire have fairy glen's or fairy hills. Around Toot Hill in Macclesfield Forest, some farmers leave food out for the fairies before a field is ploughed or harvested.

In Ince, their local church is built on the site of a Norman Chapel but the local legend is that the original builders wanted the church built on the other side of the village. During the day, the builders worked hard but at night, the fairies would come and move the stones to where the church stands today. After some time, the builders agreed to build the church where the fairies wanted it.

There is a similar story at Bramall Hall at Stockport. About half a mile from the Hall, there is an area known as Crow Holt Wood or Fairiy Wood. This was where the hall was originally planned to be built. But again as the bilders worked during the day, the fairies removed the timbers and stones during the night. And this is why Bramall Hall is built in its present location.

ANIMALS

2011-02-26T08:03:00.000-08:00

What is Cheshire's most famous animal?

Of course, THE CHESHIRE CAT.

In this section, I will look at all animals, whether they are real or myth.

CATS

Lewis Carroll made this animal famous when he wrote about it in Alice's Adventure in Wonderland. The cat disappears leaving behind its grin. But what has a grinning cat got to do with Cheshire. I will list a few examples of where the saying could have come from and then let you deside -----

--- an unhappy sign painter trying to represent the lion of the Egerton family on boards outside a few inns. Very few people knew what a growling lion looked like and most painting from this time looked more like a large furry cat smiling.
--- the arms of the Earls of Chester (which is a wolf's head) has sometimes been mistaken for a grinning cat.
--- local Cheshire Cheese was commonly fashioned into various animal shapes years ago. One of these was a grinning cat.
--- the British Blue Cat are known for a smiling expression and these cats were popular in Cheshire.
--- one of the ancient Celtic tribes living in this area during the Roman occupation were called Cornovii, whose symbol was a cat. They were known as and Cheshire is still known by this "PEOPLE OF THE CAT".

--- there is a rock feature known as the Cat Stones, which are part of The Cloud. This area, it is said, that people came here from about the second century to worship the Moon Goddess. There are some carvings in stone on Bidston Hill, these show the Moon Goddess. She has a moon at her feet and the face of a cat. Did the same people who made the carvings also worship at The Cloud.

--- there is also something known as The Cheshire Smile or Cheshire Grin. This was a term once widely used in Cheshire as a form of death for poachers. They had their throats cut from ear to ear, hence the smile.

Cats have always been associated in legends.

In Egypt, a cat was so important that if you killed a cat, you were punished by death. If the family cat died, the entire family would shave off their eyebrows as a sign of mourning.

In Norse mythology, the chariot of the Goddess Freya (Goddess of beauty, love and fertility) is drawn by two large longhaired cats.

In Japan, a cat brings good luck. And in Czechoslovakia, the cat is also a symbol of fertility.

In Britain, as well as most of Europe, the cat esp a black cat, is associated with bad luck, witchcraft and black magic. During the Middle Ages, the cat was said to be a familar to a witch.

Did Cheshire stand alone from the rest of the country, in its legend of the Cat People, Cat Stones or is it just because of the countryside and farms, that cats have always survived in.

Whatever the reason, the Cheshire Cat is famous around the world.

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DOGS

Another animal known across the country and esp in Cheshire is The Black Dog.

They are either guardians of a churchyard or foretellers of doom and death. The most famous is the Black Dog of Barthomley, who haunts around the Church and Rectory. This could have come from the belief that if a black dog was buried in a new churchyard, it would then guard it against the Devil.

But what about the Hounds from Hell. These Black dogs collect the human souls for the Devil.
So whichever way we look at it, these dogs are associated with the death of a human, weather it is protecting it or collecting. I know I am in no rush to met one of these dogs.

I have come across a tale of a White Hound with a chain around its neck. He has been seen near the church at Bunbury. Not sure if this hound is the guardian or not.

There is another belief associated with dogs but this time you dont have to see them, just hear them. A dog can sense when its owner is ill or dying. This is due to the dog sensing the chemical changes in the human body. The dog sometimes howls when this is happening. But long before science found this out, people who heard a dog howling considered this as a death omen and it was said that the actual moment of death was thought to be marked by a dog howling three times. A case of science finally catching up with myth.

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WEREWOLF

This werewolf came from Longdendale, near the Cheshire/Staffordshire border. This tale is from around the time of King Henry II's reign.

The Abbott of Basingwerke was asked by the local people of the area for help against this evil creature that cursed this land for such a long time. The Abbott cursed the animal so it should remain in the condition it was at that time.

King Henry had heard about this creature and together with his son, Prince Henry, Lord Longdendale, Baron Ashton and other dignitories deceided to hunt down the creature. The hunting party set off nut the Prince became seperated and he was attacked by the werewolf. The Baron of Ashton came to his help and killed the beast.

News travelled fast and the village celebrated that they were finally rid of the creature. The body of the werewolf had been cut open and it is said that the heads of three babies fell out.

Later that day, a forester said he had seen the werewolf in the forest earlier that morning. It was screaming like a woman and trying to tear its own skin off.

Had the curse worked and when the werewolf had tried to change back into human form, it realised it couldnt.

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WHITE OWL

There is a legend associated with the churchyard at Old St Chads, Tushingham and a couple of other churchyards across Cheshire. The legend is that if anyone sees a white owl flying down the tower and lands in the churchyard, they or someone close to them will die.

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DRAGONS

These creatures are known not only throughout the country but the world. There are many tales in folklore and legends. These large creatures had long tails, huge wings, long necks, they could breath fire and were covered in scales. They lived in caves, forests or near lakes.

In folklore, they attacked isolated villages, killing humans and livestock. They were also associated with supernatural powers and to be able to speak.

The word DRAGON entered the English language in the early 13th century from the old French word, which in turn came from the Latin DRACONEM meaning HUGE SERPENT.

Dragons are commonly depicted as malevolent(evil) but there are a couple of exceptions like Y DDRAIG GOCH, the Red Dragon of Wales.

The Romans used the dragon as a symbol of fear. One of their military standards was a large dragon fixed to the end of a lance, its jaws were made of silver and the rest of its body made of coloured silk. It made a noise as the wind went through it jaws.

In Cheshire, we have our own Dragon tale, The Dragon from Moston. I have already written about this on my blog.

But there is another Dragon associated with this area. You may have heard of Leylines or Engry lines. Well we have these lines called Dragon Lines or Dragon Paths. These link abcient sites to one another. For example, there is a line running through Tattenhall, running from Lower Hall, Newton Hall, St Alban Tattenhall Church, Dragon Hall and then down to a Tumulus at Meadows Farm.

THE KNIGHTS GRANGE, WINSFORD

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This tale carrys on from my Vale Royal Abbey blog story.

This Grange was once owned by Vale Royal Abbey. It was one of their farms.

The Grange appears under this name for the first time in 1325/6, when the Abbots servants seized 50 pigs that were feeding in a local wood without permission. These pigs were taken to the Grange of Knytes. This was written in one of the abbots ledgers.

The name refers to the young men who worked on the farm. They normally lived in or near to the abbey but they didnt take their full vows. They were more labourers.

By the end of the Middle Ages, it was let as a working farm. It continued to be let until 1912 when it was sold by auction to raise money for Lord Delamere's trips to Kenya. It had been in this family since 1616 when Lady Mary Cholmondeley bought the Vale Royal estate. Lady Cholmondeley probably was responsible for the building of the brick mansion you see today. It is one of the oldest brick buildings in the country. It is also said that she loved this building and one of her favourites.

It went through the ownership of Tom Platt and then Edwin Hopley until Winsford UDC bought it in 1972. The old farmhouse is now a public house and land also forms a sports centre owned by Vale Royal Borough Council.

There is a legend of tunnels leading to the old Vale Royal Abbey and the ghost of Ida the nun has been seen here.

MURDER TALE

Albert Stanley was the landowner in 1903-04. His daughter was meeting a young man. Albert thought that this young man was not good enough for his daughter and he went after them. There was an accident (or was it) and Albert shot the young man dead. His daughter never forgave her father.

INVESTIGATION

I have conducted an investigation here and we did come across a few weird events.

--- I had a couple of stones thrown at me while I was on my own in the loft.
--- a fellow investigator saw a hooded clocked figure downstairs
--- we all got the feeling that we were being watched.

Other activity reported here are

--- Ida the nun has been seen sitting on a chair by the front door
--- tables and chairs heard moving across the stone floor
--- a woman seen upstairs (some say it is Lady Cholmondeley)
--- shadowery figures
--- pool balls move on their own

TROUBLE AT VALE ROYAL and a NUN'S GRAVE

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This Abbey was founded by King Edward I after a dream he had. The then, Prince of Wales, was in danger on board his ship on his return from The Holy Land. Praying that they would not become shipwrecked, he made a vow to convent of Cistercian Monks. Some time later, he was taken prisoner during the Baron's Wars and held at Hereford. The Monks from a nearby monastery of Dore would visit him and out of gratitude for their kindness, he fulfilled his vow.

During 1273, he removed the Monks from Dore to Dernhall where they stayed for a few years until he became King.

Building work began in the neighbouring area called Wetene-Hall-Wez and the King changed its name to Vale Royal.

The first stone was laid by King Edward and Queen Eleanor laid the second stone on the 6th August 1277. The monks lived in a small temporary building in Dernhall from 1281-1330, when they moved into their new, splendid mansion which cost £30,000.

These monks enjoyed many riches and privileges under a Royal Founder. They had the power of probation of criminals and even the power of life and death within the manors of Dernhall, Over and Weaverham.

Friction between the Monks and the local population and this lead to violent uprisings. Here are a few examples that happened:----
--- there was a law saying that no woman wa able to marry outside the manor without obtaining permission and paying a fee to the Abbot. Another payment had to be made once she became pregnant.
--- in 1320, John of Budworth (one of the Abbots servants) was attacked and killed in Darnhall. It is said that his head was used as a football by his attackers who were members of the Oldyngton Family.
--- Brother John Lewis was ambushed in Tarvin and this led to an open rebellion. His attackers were taken to Weaverham prison.
--- around 1311, the abbot and several monks were arrested and accused of harbouring a gang of bandits. They stayed inside the abbey and were later let off with no criminal action.
--- in 1336, a number of men went to Chester to plea for their freedom from the abbot. They were thrown in Over prison. This started a fight between the villagers (supported by the Venables family) and the abbey. Twelve of the villagers were taken to Stamford and ordered to surrender their goods and lands.
--- in 1340, the abbot was murdered by some locals including a member of the Venables family. In the same year, a number of men burnt down the abbots house in Chester.
--- by the end of the 14th century (1395-6) an inquest was held into the affairs and mismanagement of the abby and behaviour of the monks and abbot.
--- things didnt improve at Vale Royal, murder, rape, taking bribes and other criminal offences were reported.

By the time of the Dissolution, the incomes of Vale Royal and Combermere were considerable. In 1538, John Harewood, 21st abbot, handed over Vale Royal to the Crown. The abbey was knocked down and left in ruin.

The present building was built on the site of the abbey by Sir Thomas Holcroft. This later became the home of the Cholmondeley Family and later 1st Baron Delamere. The mansion is now divided into apartments.

THE CHOLMONDELEY/DELAMERE FAMILY

Lady Mary Cholmondeley bought the property in 1616 for £9,000. She was the widow of Sir Hugh Cholmondeley. In 1617, James I stayed here.

Part of the estate was destroyed during the civil war and the rebuild was carried out for Thomas Cholmondeley, later Ist Lord Delamere. He held the estate from 1779 until his death in 1855.

The family held the estate until 1947.

SECRET TUNNELS

There is a legend that a secret tunnel lead from the abbey to the nunnery at Winsford. The Monks and Nuns would use this to met in secret. Bodies of babies have said to have been found in this tunnel.

THE NUN'S GRAVE

This is all that remains of a grave and monument to a nun called Ida. It is thought the monument was erected by the Cholmondeley family to possibly add credence to the legend.

The stone circle of the nun's grave is situated near the supposed high alter of the former abbey church. The grave is composed of material from three sources:----
1/ a medieval cross head with four sculptured panels depicting the Crucifixion, the virgin and child, St Catherine and St Nicholas.
2/ a sandstone shaft possibly of the 17th century.
3/ a plinth made up from salvaged abbey masonry.

There are two slightly different versions of the legend of Ida.

First version is --- Ida was a young girl from Overton who was befriended by Peter, a canon of Norton Priory. He became Abbot of Vale Royal (an unlikely change of order. The only Peter who was abbot was the 5th abbot around 1320-1340. This Peter had many struggles with local villians). Ida entered the Convent of St Mary at Chester. The Abbot had to visit the city and while he was there, he was taken ill. Ida came to him and while she nursed him back to health, they fell in love. They realised that their vows prevented any relationship on earth but agreed to be buried in the same grave so they could spend eternity together.

Second version is --- Ida didnt know the abbot but she was sent to Vale Royal to nurse him. She stayed until he died and as a mark of her kindness the monument was built.

Human bones were found under the monument, they were said to be female. So it looks like Ida was buried alone. These bones are now said to be inside the libuary.

GHOSTLY SIGHTENINGS

--- Monks have been seen around the grounds
--- Ida has been seen by the monument and inside the house
--- music has been heard at the grave at midnight
--- chanting has been heard around the ground

THE END OF OULTON HALL

2011-02-25T23:24:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, this whole area is a racing circult, there is little evidence of the Hall and parklands that once stood here. Thousands of people come here to watch motor racing at weekends without ever knowing the history associated with this land. I too use to come here most weekends as a child. My grandfather, MR JACK THOMAS, helped run the bike racing. He was also known as MR OULTON. I would mix with all the bikers and watch the racing. I would also go and roam the whole area, knowing very little of the history I was walking on.

The Egerton Family were landowners for nearly 500 years and in the reign of Henry VII, they became Lords of the Manor. The family lived in a large Tudor house but this was destroyed by fire. So in 1715, John Egerton(1656-1731), began to rebuild his home.

During 1731, after inheriting this manor house, formal gardens and farmland from his uncle, John, his nephew Philip Egerton (1694-1766) began to build a brick wall to enclose the estate after he had enlarged it from 231 acres to 315 acres. After his death, his brother, John, took over and then succeeded by his son, Philip (1738-1786) in 1770.

Fashion changed and formal gardens were taken over by a landscaped garden surrounded by park land. Over the years, building work and improvements were made and the house containded a fine art collection.

But money was slowly running out and during the 1920's the Hall was leased to industrialist Mr F W Cooper. At 10am on Valentine's Day 1926, the family were having breakfast when the housemaid reported that the upper floors were on fire. By 10.30am the Tarporley Fire Brigade had arrived. You can imagine the scene, about 20 people were running in and out of the building trying to save the works of art and other people running for their lives, panic scenes.

Suddenly at 11.30am, the roof collapsed. Six people died either at the scene or later in hospital. The fire continued to burn for several days. The fire was reported in both the Telegraph and the Times. This fire had also been one of the first where more than one fire brigade worked together, three further brigades had to be called in, Chester City, Messrs Brunner Mond and Co and Winsford.

The ruin of the Hall remained standing until World War II, when they were hit by German bombs. General Patton was based here in the run up to the Normandy Landings. During this time, troops had used the estate but they left at the end of the war. The estate was covered in rubble, huts and a twelve foot roadway. It was returned to Sir Philip Grey Egerton in 1950.

It was at this time that two members of the Mid Cheshire Motor Club suggested that some of the roadway could be used for motor racing. And the rest as they say is history.

Very little of this great estate still exists today. The Entrance gates, lodges and screen designed by Joseph Turner in about 1775. In the grounds is a monument of 1846 to the memory of John Francis Egerton of the Bengal Horse Regiment, who died in India in 1846, designed by Scott and Moffatt. The stable block designed by Lewis Wyatt and a farm building has also survived. These are all Grade II listed buildings.

CIVIL WAR MASSACRE and the GHOSTS AT BARTHOMLEY, nr CREWE

2011-02-25T22:42:00.000-08:00

Barthomley is home to a few wonderful tales. Thers the ancient burial ground, a prince turned hermit, a massacre, a large black dog and a ghostly white lady. These are all located around the church and the White Lion public house.

In the Domesday Survey, Barthomley was listed as Bertemelev. The Church (St Bertoline) is situated on a mould, known as Barrow Hill, this is an ancient burial ground. The church is dedicated to an 8th century saint who performed a miracle here. He was an Mercian Prince turned hermit.

On December 23rd 1643, Royalist forces attacked a group of villagers. They ran and hid in the church tower. The Officer in charge of the troops, Major Connaught, ordered a fire to be made of wood and rushes at the foor of the tower. This smoked the villagers out. As these poor villages left the tower, twelve of them were slaughtered. Major Connaught was tried for murdering several people in the church. His trial focussed on the death of just one of these villagers --- JOHN FOWLER. It is said that the Major struck a battleaxe across the left side of John Fowler's head, a fatal blow. The Major was found guilty and he was hung at Boughton, Chester on the afternoon of Tuesday 17th October 1654. He went to the scaffold protesting his innocence.

The LADY IN WHITE is said to haunt the church field and around the church. Who is she and why does she stay here? The white lady or sometimes known as grey lady is associated with the loss of a loved one either a husband, lover or a child. There is a story that she belonged to one of the large families in the area. When she died, there was no room in the churchyard, so land by the old rectory was quickly comsumated by the vicar and she was buried there. But surely, if she came from a large important family, she would have already have a family plot. Perhapes she had been a loved family servant?

Another sightening is a large black hound. This roams the old rectory drive (where the village hall is today) and around the churchyard. This hound was beleived to be a portent of evil or the hound of hell. These hounds of hell are said to forsee death and collect the souls of the person near to death. This hound could also be a Graveyard ghost. This spirit is beleived to have special abilities. It is normally the first body to be buried in a churchyard and it then would return to guard the area against the Devil. There are many black dog sightenings across the country, that roam churchyards and near churches. Perhapes these faithful dogs are still guarding the final resting places of the people buried here.

THE WHITE LION

This inn dates from 1614. It is one of the original inns in Cheshire. Originally belonging to Sir Randulph Crewe, whose family emblem, the silver lion, gave the pub its name.

The Manor Polls show that the Parish Clerks lived and sold ale here as early as the 16th Century and an old lease referred to this pub as The Clerk's Cottage. It was also used by the Court Leet and Court Baron of John Crewe and rents were collected from here.

There have been a few reported paranormal events in this pub including ------
--- an old farmer wearing a beige smock, he had a round face and a beard seen standing on top of the stairs. He spoke and said "is this yours"
--- smoke rings have been seen upstairs
--- people have been touched
--- tapping and knocking sounds
--- doors open and close, also lock on their own
--- shadows seen
--- a man has been seen sitting at one of the tables in the pub, only to disappear
--- a man hung himself in the pub and he has been felt

INVESTIGATION

My group investigated this area and the pub. Apart from a few "orbs", we found nothing outside.

Inside the pub, we caught this photo of a mist, one member had her leg tickled and we did get a strange reaction to a pendulum experiment.

THE BATTLE OF NANTWICH, 1644

2011-02-25T21:43:00.000-08:00

King Charles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland had been an unpopulare King. He had dissolved Parliament in 1629 and for the next eleven years, he had ruled alone. He was married to a Roman Catholic (which dis pleased many people including the Puritans). He raised taxes and was generally thought of as beening un fair.

In 1639, King Charles attempted to reform the Scottish Church and this lead to conflict between Scotland and England. This later became known as The Bishops Wars. To fund this war, King Charles had to call back Parliament. As you can imagine, Parliament were not going to support the King and this Scottish/English War only lasted till 1640 and it was the start of the King's downfall.

Parliament took control of most of the English Army but King Charles had some supporters. So both sides started recruiting and during the summer of 1642, King Charles set up his headquarters at Nottingham.

A series of battles took place, the first being at Edgehill and soon spread nationwide. It reached Cheshire in 1643. The war had families against their own fathers and sons, brothers against brothers.

Nantwich had been the only town in Cheshire to go against King Charles and sided with the Parliamentarians. Nantwich had had a few skirmishes between the two forces but by the end of 1643, Nantwich was besisged by Lord Byron's Royalist Army.

Sir William Brereton was the Parliamentary leader in Cheshire, sent re inforcements to help fortify Nantwich. Imagine the scene for the ordinary people of Nanwich. The town was defended by 2,000 men. Their headquarters were at The Lamb Hotel, a beatiful mansion house, which was surrounded by earthern walls to help withstand the canon balls. The town itself was surrounded by walls 4 meters high and 3 meters thick. Guards kept watch at the end of every street. The people of Nantwich lived in fear. Not only was there more people to fed and find them somewhere to live but they would be attacked from time to time.

By December The Royalist army had set up camp at Acton. They were now 5,000 strong and Lord Byron had set up a large canon at Dorfold Hall, forever pointing at Nantwich. When that was fired, the noice of the thundering canon ball heading towards the town wold have struck fear into th people's hearts. They would have seen it flying through the air and then panic as they ran away from it. Houses and barns were set alight and women and children had to carry water from the river to try and put the flames out.

The towns defences held but Sir William Brereton knew it was only a matter of time and he needed help. He sent for Thomas Fairfax. He came with an extra 3,000 men from over the Pennines.

Thomas Fairfax came through Delamere Forest on January 24th 1644. He met with a couple of small skirmishes but nothing serious. He set up his camp at Tilstone, just outside Tarporley.

On the morning of Thursday 25th January, the Parliamentary army with all its ammunition, soliders and provisions marched towards Nantwich on what is now the A51, Nantwich to Chester road. They met a small group of Royalist soldiers. Bur they were no match for the Parliamentary army and 30 prisoners were taken.

The scene was now set for The Battle of Nantwich. Half the Royalist Army was based at Acton. The other half (cavalry led by Sir John Byron) had been left marooned on the otherside of the River Weaver because of a sudden thaw during the night.

One half of the Royalist army attacked the Parliamentary army coming into the area from the rear. The Parliamentary army from Nanwich closed in on the other half of the Royalist army. The battle only lasted for an hour and a half (half past three till five pm)

Victory went to the Parliamentary army. Nearly 2,000 prisoners were taken including 120 women who carried and used long knives. Many prisoners were held at Acton Church and 188 Civil war casualties lie in the churchyard, this site is now grassed over. Some bones have been found recently under the church floor. These have now been given a formal re burial in the church grounds.

The site of the battle is known as DEAD MAN'S FIELD and ghostly phenomena around the church and this field has been reported. It is claimed that the sounds of a battle can still be heard. Ghostly soldiers screaming, shouting and fighting eachother. There has also been sightenings of a civil was soilder walking around Nantwich town.

Nantwich celebrates this battle every year. Its called HOLLY HOLY DAY, on the saturday nearest to the 25th January. There is a full day's programme of events including a re enactment of the battle by the Sealed Knot Society.

I went for a walk around Acton Church and Dead Mans Field and hear is my report.

I only spent a couple of hours in this area. It was a cold and foggy day. It wasnt hard to inagine the fear and emotion felt by every man and woman that day. As I was walking around the site with the fog rolling across the fields, it was so easy to inagine a solider walking up to me. In fact, I was getting the feeling of being watched but that was more my imagination than anything else. Nothing happened to me that day but I will return on the day of the battle.

WITCHCRAFT IN CHESHIRE

2011-02-25T20:30:00.000-08:00

We have all heard the tales of The Pendle Witches and Salam Witch Trails. But what started the hysteria and did Cheshire have its own so called witches?

It was during the Middle Ages, when it all began in this country and continued until the 1700's. But it was only in the 1950's that the Witchcraft Act was finally abolished by Parliament. Between 1450 and 1750, more than 100,000 people (mainly women) in Europe and America were prosecuted for witchcraft.

During the reign of James I (James VI of Scotland) around 70,000 so called witches were either imprisoned, tortured, flogged, drowned or hung. He beleived in the occult and personally led witch hunts in Scotland. He signed the Witchcraft Act in 1604 and this started the hysteria in hunting witches.

People like Matthew Hopkins (self named Witch Finder General) was responsible for the condemnations and executions of around 200 alleged witches, nearly as many as all the other English Witch Hunters together. He used this to make his money. For 14 months, he charged £25 to cleanse a town of witches. He had a code called a Devils List. He made his victims suffer, according to his code, he would lock them in an isolated cell, they were humiliated by being stripped naked, starved and deprived of sleep. They were also made to walk up and down barefoot on a cold stone floor for hours. After days of this, most oeople confessed to being a witch.

Most Witch Hunters looked for marks on the person's body including blemishes (today these we know as birthmarks, scars etc) and it was said that women had three teats. These were called Devil's marks.

Most female witches were old hags living on their own on the edge of the village. They were mostly widowed, some too ugly to have ever married or just unpopular with the rest of the villagers. Most had a pet ie cat, dog, bird or any animal living in the woodland. They were wise in herbs, nature and living off the land.

Once you were found guilty of being a witch, one of the punishments was drowning. You were tied up and thrown into the water. The problem was if you survived and floated, you were guilty but if you sank and drowned, you were then classed as innocence. Witches were also hung but in England and Wales, they were never burnt at the stake.

A book published around 1486 was called MALLEUS MALEFICARUM. It was written by Heinrich Kramer and Jakob Sprenger. It was known as The Witchfinders Bible. The book contained the folklore surrounding black magic, an affirmation of the existence of witches, detailed description of witchcraft and a users guide to torturing confessions out of a reluctand victim.

Some of Cheshire's most famous alleged witches include:----

BRIDGET BOSTOCK
whom I have written about already in my blog, she came from Coppenhall, Crewe.

ALICE CAWLEY
Alice was known as The Old Witch of Kelsall. She lived during the 19th century. There is a tale that she kept a live toad under her bed. She was a little eccentric but well liked.

MARY WITTON
Mary lived near Northwich around the late 19th century. She had nine children and people went to her with all sorts of aches and pains. Mary would write rhymes and charms on pieces of brown paper and sold them as cures. The sick person had to say their magis rhyme before a full moon and they would be cured. She too must have been well liked.

ELLEN BEECH
Ellen lived near Macclesfield during the 1600's. She was tired and hung in October 1656 at Chester for practising certain arts.

ANNE OSBASTON
Anne also lived near Macclesfield and she too was hung in October 1656 for practising certain arts. Both ELLEN and MARY were blamed for some of the villagers of Rainow falling ill and dying.

ANNE THORNTON
She lived in Eaton near Chester and she was hung after being found guilty of witchcraft.

MARY BAGULEY
Mary lived in Wildboarclough. She was charged of killing Robert Hall at Wincle through magic. She was brought to trail on April 26th 1675 at Chester. She was found guilty and hung.

MARY WORTHINGTON
Mary lived in Stockport around 1873. People claimed she was a witch because she could manipulate people. She frightened people into giving her money. If they refused, she claimed to cast an evil eye over them.

NELLIE LONGARM

2011-02-25T06:20:00.000-08:00

This is a children's story based on folklore in the village of Wybunbury. She is used to warn children of the dangers of Wybunbury Moss. The tale was probably started because of the duckweed that grew in the water, it could wrap itself around the leg of an adult or a child's body and pull them under.

Other areas in Cheshire and Shropshire have their own Nellie. This water spirit have been given the names GINNY GREENTEETH, JEANNIE GREENTEETH, WICKED JENNY and PEG O NELL.

Jenny and other names are known generally around Britain. She is a river hag, sometimes described as an ugly, old woman. Some have green skin with long hair and sharp teeth. They all live in dangerous, watery places. Adults use this tale to warn children about the dangers of playing by such places.

MAY DAY IN CHESHIRE

2011-02-12T05:52:00.000-08:00

May Day to the ancients was called CALAN MAI. This tradition was to ensure fertility in men, women, animals and crops. It was sacred to the Barbs and Druids who worshipped the oak and to them it was called BELTAINE. And for this reason, people danced around a Yew or Oak tree or a wooden pole.

Many Yew trees in churchyards today are sometimes older than the church, like this one at Astbury. It shows that these were holy places and probably used in such May Day celebrations before Christianity.

May Day celebrations were a cause for the village to cause a little mischief and full of sexual innuendos. It was a time for letting off steam.

Just like carol singing, songs were performed by groups of people, door to door. In our area, they were called Cheshire Soul Gangs.

Another tradition in Cheshire on May Day was the time when May Birchers made their calls. This was not always enjoyed by some people. The group of villagers who made up the May Birchers would tore of branches off trees and place them above doors. These branches were said to match the characteristics of the households -ie- a broom for a groom and a plum for someone who was glum.

It was also known as Wedding Day and in Cheshire villages, grains of coloured sand would be thrown on the floor as the couple walked. This tradition was again for the fertility of the couple.

May Day was also the time when Beltaine Fires were lit. These were gaint bonfires (see my section on Beltaine Fires/Goodly Fires).

Knutsford celebrate May Day in great style. The tradition has not died out here, as it has done in most of the rest of the country. The May Day procession with Morris Men and the whole spirit of this time of year, is kept alive at the Festival.

ROBIN HOOD

2011-02-12T04:57:00.000-08:00

This popular figure from English Folklore is tradually based in Yorkshire and Nottingham. But Cheshire does have a claim on him or at least the myth as well.

Many people have tried to find out if this is a figure made up of folklore and different charators or a real person. The story we have all been brought up with is, this man who was not only a great swordsman but a skilled archer as well. He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. His love was Maid Marion. He had a band of brave followers which included Friar Tuck, Little John and Will Scarlet. They lived in Nottingham Forest away from their enemy, The Sherrif of Nottingham. In most tv shows and films, Robin Hood and his merry men are dressed in Lincoln green clothes. Of course, some storylines have changed over the years, some have him as always being an outlaw but some has him portrayed as an aristocrat wrongfully dispossed of his lands and made into an outlaw by a bad sherriff.

Other people have tried to find him as a real person. In fact there is a grave at Kirkless Priory near Mirfield in West Yorkshire, that many claim is the grave of Robin Hood.

The Robin Hood story all starts with a ballard, Robin Hood and the Monk. These ballads are usually attributed by scholars to the 13th or 14th century but sometimes earlier. There were also Robin Hood games which played an important part of the late Medieval May Day Festivities throughout the country.

The possible real people behind the legend include ROGER GODBERD. His nickname was Robin Hood and he served under Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester. In 1265, Godberd was outlawed for fighting against King Henry 111 in the Battle of Evesham. In October 1267, Godberd settled in Sherwood Forest and he had 100 men to call upon if he needed help. He was caught in 1272, in the grounds of Rufford Abbey by Reginald de Grey, the Sherriff of Nottinham's men and he was taken to Nottingham Castle. He escaped. But Godberd was finally caught sometime after 1270 and his trail took place at the Tower of London. He was pardoned by Edward 1, when the King returned from the 8th Crusade. Godberd returned to his farm and lived there until his death. But another verision is that Godberd died in Newgate Prison in 1276.

Another possible real person is called Robin Hood. He is written about by a monk around 1460 and he writes about this outlaw and his accomplices living in Sherwood and travelling to other areas of England.

And the last real person I will mention was suggested by Joseph Hunter (1783 - 1861), an antiquarian and Unitarian Minister. He identified the outlaw Robyn Hode recorded as employed by Edward 11 in 1323 during the King's progress through Lancashire. This Robin lived in Wakefield with his wife Matilda. He had also fought against the King but was pardoned by him in 1323 and taken into his service.

I like to think of Robin Hood as a nickname and this was then turned into a single charactor into the ballards and into English Folklore. Since 1262, the name Robin Hood had been used as a general name for outlaws in Berkshire and after in other parts of the country, where the surname ROBEHOD was applied to a man after he had been outlawed.

There are many mythological creatures that could explain the begining of this legend. One of Robin Hood's origins could come from a pagan legend that Robin defended the unspoiled land not touched by the towns/villages set aside a plot of woodland which was to be left alone. This then belonged to THE GOODFELLOW, THE GOODMAN or ROBIN GOODFELLOW. He was a fairy or mischievous nature sprite. Family names can be found dating back to this time ---- MORRISES or MORRISONS desend from Morris dancers, also called Marians morrice men. Marriages which took place in these area's were performed by Shamons (possibly symbolized by Friar Tuck). Any children from such marriages were considered children of the forest God (Robin) and their name would br ROBINSON. The surname HOOD, HUDE and HODE is a name associated with woodland.

In Cheshire, The Green man was a popular myth simular to Robin Goodfellow. He is represented with oak leaves and other vegetation around him. He is also known by other names, JACK IN THE GREEN and ROBIN HOOD. The Green Man and his merrymaking men worshipped the Mother Earth (Marion).

There was a ballad entitled THE MERRY GESTE. It was dedicated to The Earl of Chester, Will Scarlet was born and bred in MAXFELTE TOWN (Macclesfield), the Royal hunting forest (Delamere) and it also mentions how Robin and Will were great bowmen.

Cheshire men were famous esp with the longbow. Their bows were made of Yew and it is said that only the wood from a Cheshire churchyard was used.

So can Cheshire lay claim to Robin Hood, or at least part of the myth?
Was he a real person or a myth?

I will leave this decission up to you.

THE GREEN MAN

2011-02-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

Cheshire is full of magic and mystery, even today. Local legends and tales from the past still have an important role in the lives of people here. The Green Man is not just from this area but all over the world as well. His normal image is that of a male face with leaves and foliage for his hair and beard. Some show twigs coming out of his mouth. As the Green Man can appear in different images,
the three most common are these ..........................

THE FOLIATE HEAD ....... covered in green leaves as if he is peering through the leaves

THE DISGORGING HEAD .... spewing vegetation out from his mouth

THE BLOODSUCKER HEAD ... sprouts vegetation from all facial orifices

The Green Man's head appears in many churches, chapels, abbeys, cathedrals, pub names and now a days in art form, such as wooden carvings, metal work and stained glass.

Other names known for the Green Man include JACK IN THE GREEN, JOHN BARLEYCORN, THE GREEN KNIGHT, ROBIN GOODFELLOW, HERNE THE HUNTER and ROBIN HOOD (I will talk about him in another section).

The Green Man is a fertility symbol. He is the spirit of nature, rebirth and good over bad. He is closely associated with Mother Nature as the Celtic tribes (and many others) beleived that all life emerged from her. This goddess was later called BRIDGET or BRIGHIT. She later became Christianised as MARY (this name is a derivation of MARIAN and made into the form of a maid or virgin). The Green man is sometimes associated with a band of male followers called MERRYMAKING MEN, now Morris Dancers.

Can we see a pattern, two important figures, male and female, and a band of male followers. How many times have we come across this during our history wether its religous or folklore.

Please read two other sections in my blog which are also associated with the Green Man
--- Robin Hood
--- May Day

MURDER IN NORTHWICH

2011-02-11T06:35:00.000-08:00

This tale involves a couple who should have been looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together but their wedding plans ended with the death of the bride to be.

Mary Pemberton was a 19 year old chamber maid from Leftwich Old Hall and Samuel Thorley was a local farm labourer. They had met at the annual Witton Wakes and had been goinig out with eachother for 18 months.

The couple were planning a spring wedding in 1777 and then they were going to rent a small cottage from Samuel's employer, Mr Ted Leather.

One Sunday evening, Mary had not returned back to Old Leftwich Hall and her employers thought she had been caught up in the thunder storm and she had stayed at her aunty's house in Northwich. But by the following day, they went to her aunty's house and then found out that her boyfriend, Samuel, hadnt reported for work either. People started to think that the couple had eloped to Gretna Green and as the couple were both well respected in the area, no body thought anyelse but that they had gone to get married and they would return a few days later.

But six days later, a gruesome discovery was made. Mary's body was found in a willow bed on land belonging to Mr George Gorst. A search was started for Samuel. A couple of people reported that they had seen Mary and Samuel arguing by these willow beds a few days before.

Ten days later, Samuel walked into Chester Castle looking tired, dirty and unkempt. He told them he had walked from Northwich and had been living rough in Delamere Forest. He admitted to killing Mary. He explained that they had quarrelled over wedding plans and in a fit of temper he had strangled her.

Samuel's trail took place at Chester and he was hung on April 10th, 1777. His corpse was then gibbeted.

This murder shocked the town because both Mary and Samuel were so well thought of. A local ballad of Samuel was later sung by girls in Northwich.

Little remains today to reming us of the murder. Leftwich Old Hall was demolished and a farm house was built on its site but ghost stories and reports of strange happenings fill this area.
More tales to come.

Since writing this tale, I have come across another version. I have included this other version in my PRIESTY FIELDS section.

THE HANKELOW MURDER

2011-01-25T05:30:00.001-08:00

This tale is about the brutal murder of wealthy farmer George Morrey on 11th April 1812.

We all know about Lady Chatterley and her lover. Well this is the real life version and based in Cheshire.

George's wife, Edith Morrey and their servant, John Lomas, had been having an affair for quite some time. Edith enjoyed the lifestyle her husband gave her but she still required the attentions of a younger man.

Edith found out she was pregant and one theory was that her husband may not have been able to have children and when he found out she was with child. He may have tried to send her away and treathened divorce. Edith may have even thought of killing her husband before he found out about the baby and planned to live with her lover. Maybe John had heard the couple rowing and this murder had not been planned. He may have thought he hwas protecting his loved one and things got out of control.

Whatever happened, on April 11th 1812, George was found on his bedroom floor, his throat had been slashed with a razor and his head almost decapitated by an axe.

John Lomas confessed to the murder but also told police that Edith had stood holding a candle telling him what to do.

After being arrested, Edith attempted to cut her own throat but she was saved by the local surgeon.

They were both found guilty and sentenced to hang. But Edith's date with the hangman was postponed for four months until the birth of her son.

After their executions at Chester, both lovers had their bodies used in the interests of medical science and Edith's body was put on public view but minus her heart.

Over the years, some people had sympathy for John as many felt he had been seduced by such a wicked lady and perhapes he was protecting his unborn child. But no sympathy for Edith.

SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT

2011-01-23T17:33:00.000-08:00

SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT

This tale was written during the 14th century by an unknown author. It is written in a North West Midland dialect of Middle English, which mixes the dialet from North Wales and English Border. It is for this reason that as I briefy tell you the tale, I will also include the areas from my local area that seem to be the locations in the tale as many experts have agreed with, even though most areas are not named in the poem.

The tale starts in Camelot just after Christmas while King Arthur and his court are feasting and exchanging gifts. A large Green Knight entered the hall and set a challenge. The challenge was if someone could strike him once with his own axe, they would face eachother again one year and a day later. Sir Gawain (Arthur's youngest knight) accepts the challenge.

Gawain severed the Green Knight's Head clean off and thinking that was the end of the matter and wondering why someone would walk into the hall and demand such a challenge, he walks away. But the Green Knight stood up and instead off dying, he walked over to where his head was lying on the floor, he picked it up and placed it back on his neck as though nothing had happened. He told Gawain to met him at The Green Chapel on New Years Day the following year. And with that, he left.

Gawain thought no more about this meeting until the time of the meeting approached. Gawain set off on his journey. He crossed the river at Llangollen and went north to Holywell. He passed St Winifred's Well, through to the Wirral and then down to finally he came across a beautiful castle high on a hill.

It is claimed that this is Beeston Castle. The Lord of the castle, Bertilak de Hautdesert, and his wife welcomed Gawain and invited him to rest at the castle. Gawain explained his quest and Bertilak told him he had plenty of time as the Green Chapel was only a couple of days journey away. So Gawain agreed to stay three days.

Before going hunting the following day, Bertilak proposes a bargin to Gawain. He said that he will give Gawain whatever he catches, on the condition that Gawain gave him what he had gained during the day. Gawain accepts and Bertilak leaves. Later that day, Lady de Hautdesert enters Gawain's bedroom to seduce him. But Gawain refused and just gives in to a single kiss on the cheek. When Bertilak returned, he gave Gawain the deer he had killed and Gawain gave him a kiss on the cheek. The next day, the same happened and the exchange was a boar for two kisses. On the third day, Gawain accepts a green silk girdle from her Lady which she told him it would keep him from all physical harm. They exchanged three kisses. That evening, Bertilak returns with a fox, which he exchanged for three kisses but Gawain kept the girdle without telling him.

The next day, Gawain leaves the castle and heads towards the Green Chapel. This is said to be located in Lud's Church, Staffordshire. He crossed The Roaches and across the valley by the ruins of an abbey (Dieulacres Abbey).

As Gawain approaches the Green Chapel, the Green Knight appears at the top of the cliffe. Gawain is wearing the green girdle and offers his neck. The knight tries three times to chop off his head. 1st time Gawain ducks out of the way, 2nd the knight misses and 3rd the knight catches Gawain with a small cut on his neck. The Green Knight then reveals himself as Bertilak. He explains that this entire challenge was the idea of Morgan le Fay (Arthur sister).

As I said earlier, many of the areas I have named are thought to be the places in the poem. I will now list these places and give a little more information on them. Why dont you read the poem and see if you agree with me about these locations and if you dont agree, let me know which areas you think are in the poem and why.

LLANGOLLEN

This town is situated in Denbighshire, by the River Dee and on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains.

It takes its name from Saint Collen. He was a 6th century monk who founded a church beside the river. There are links to King Arthur --- FFYNNON ARTHUR (Arthur's Well) and CROES GWENHWYFAR (Guinnivere's Cross). Dinas Bryn Castle is thought to have housed the Holy Grail for a while. This castle is an ancient hilltop fort which still shows the remains of the walled castle built in the Middle Ages.

Llangollen was an important coaching stop for the mail coach on the old mail route along the A5 London to Holywell road. Other transport was the Ellesmere Canal which ran to Hurleston Junction (nr Nantwich). This is now known as the Llangollen Canal.

And the Llangollen Railway is now a great tourist attraction. It was opened on the 2nd June 1862, closed for passengers on 18th January 1965, closed for goods in April 1968 but it re opened on 13th September 1975.

The annual Eisteddfod Folk Music Festival is held here lasting a week.

Nearby is Valle Crucis Abbey, this is a former Cistercian Monastery built in the 13th century.

Llangollen is also home to Plas Newydd. This was originally a small cottage when the Ladies of Llangollen moved in during 1780. Between 1798 and 1814, Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby conducted their restoration and rebuilding work. They lived together for almost 50 years. It is said that only men can see their ghosts on Christmas Eve.

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ST WINIFRED'S WELL

St Winifred's well and chapel has been visited by people for 1300 years wishing to be healed or for their faith.

This place began with a legend. In AD 660, this area was a number of huts centered around a church. Winefride was a young lady who was the daughter of a local prince. Caradoc, the son of another prince, was very taken with Winefride. He asked her to marry him but she refursed. Caradoc would not leave her alone and she tried to hide in the church. Caradoc found her and angry that she wouldnt marry him, he attacked her and chopped of her head.

Winiefride's head rolled away from her body and where it stopped, a spring with healing powers appeared. Winefride's Uncle Brena, placed her head next to her body and prayed over her. She rose again and placed her head back on her neck. She became a nun and then Abbess.
Winefride died about 20 years later.

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BEESTON CASTLE

This area is listed in the Domesday Book as BUISTAN in Broxton Hundred. It was held by WULFWY and the lands were owned by ROBERT, son of Hugh. The settlement became known as Bestan in 1282.

Overlooking the village is Beeston Castle. This castle is probably built on an Iron Age Fort and the remains of early settlements dating back to 800 BC have been discovered here.

The castle was built 1225 by Ranulf Blundeville, Earl of Chester, as part of his Welsh border defences. In 1237, the castle passed to Henry lll and it was used as a prison during his battles with the Welsh. Edward l improved the castle and by the time of his murder at Berkeley Castle in 1327, Beeston Castle was nearly complete. The castle was partially destroyed by the Parliamentarians during the Civil War.

As well as being associated with Bertilak, another interesting story involving the castle is of course the gold and treasure hidden within it. This tale is covered in my blog.

There are a few ghost sightening associated with this castle.

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DIEULACRES ABBEY

This Cistercian abbey was founded by white monks near to a ford across the River Dee at Poulton, near Chester. They had been sent there by the Earl of Chester for two reasons. First because they were safe away from the Welsh and second because the Earl had had a dream about this area.

Monks were among the few who could read and write and because of this, many beleive it is a monk who wrote Sir Gawain's story. It is of course in the right location and there is another story from the right time that associated with the abbey.

In 1379, the Abbot of Dieulacres was involved in a terrible deed where a local man was beheaded on the moors by the abbey.

This photo is located to where the abbey once stood, there is a farm here now,

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THE ROACHES

This is named from the French --- LES ROCHES - meaning the rocks.

It is a rocky ridge above Leek, Staffs and is popular with hikers and rock climbers. It is made up of coarse sandstone.

In clear weather you can see all Cheshire and Snowdon in Wales.

It is of course, near to Lud's church.

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LUD's CHURCH (the green chapel).

This area is allegedly named after Walter de Ludauk, leader of the local Lallards (15th century religious leaders who secretly worshipped here).

This deep chasm is over 100m long, 18m deep, overgrown and covered in moss. Only on Midsummers Day does sunlight penetrate deep into this chasm, which adds to its magic and mystery.

If you beleive in local legends, Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and Bonny Prince Charlie are all said to have hidden from the authorities here.

DELAMERE FOREST

2011-01-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

DELAMERE FOREST

The present day forest is far smaller than what it use to be. It is what is left of two grest forests -- MARA and MONDRUM. They originally extended from the Mersey to Nantwich.

This map shows Delamere Forest between 1277 - 1536.

F= Frodsham, T= Tarporley, U= Utkinton,

VR- Vale Royal Abbey, W= Weaverton.

This area used to have three lakes (Meres) called HATCHMERE, OAKMERE and LINMERE (which has been since drained). Also inside this area is Hunger Hill which is one of the oldest parts of the forest, Eddisbury Hill which has a large Iron Age Hill Fort at the top. This fort was partly destroyed, perhapees by the Romans but rebuilt by the Anglo Saxons in AD914. In Oakmere, there are earthworks of an ancient settlement.

This whole area was once the exclusive hunting ground of the Earls of Chester and the Royal Family.

In 1812, what was left of the medieval forest was offically deforested by Parliament. The Crown retained some land (which was leased out and farmed as Crown property). The rest was allocated to private owners. Some of the Crown's land was reserved under the Surveyor of Woods and Forest (now the Forestry Commission) and planted with conifers. Also during this year, the new parish of Delamere was created by an Act of Parliament which received the Royal Assent on the 9th June 1812.

In 1819, the parish was divided into four :- KINGSWOOD, EDDISBURY, OAKMERE and DELAMERE.

In 1856, a further act was passed authorising the cultivation for farm land in parts of Delamere.

The main route through Delamere was the Roman road leading from Chester to Manchester. A secondary track was also the path of a Roman road to Middlewich, this later became the A54. Of course there was many other tracks that ran throughout the forest, these have now been forgotton or used as footpaths but years ago these such areas were the haunts for highwaymen. They were ideal as the cover of the forest gave them an easy escape route. It is said that this is how THIEVES MOSS gained its name. So did GALLOWSCLOUGH get its name from having a gallow here for a while?

Delamere has also been long associated with Gypsies and travelling people staying here for a while during their search for work or just passing through. During the early part of 1815, a woman came to live in the forest. She had travelled from Germany and this is the legend of her.

THE WOMAN WHO LIVED IN DELAMERE FOREST

Maria Hollingsworth claimed to be the daughter of a Lutheran Clergyman of Leuwarden in West Friesland, where she had been born in 1765. She had married an English soldier of the 22nd Regiment and under the command of Lord Cathcart, they travelled through Germany. Her husband died in 1814, leaving her with two children. Maria came to England with her daughter after obtaining a small pension from Queen Charlotte, leaving her son to finish his apprenticive as a carpenter in Hanover.

Maria obtained permission to live in the forest. She found two whale ribs on a bank near Oakmere (Philip Egerton of Oulton had left these here). She used them to build a rough hut. This hut is said to have measured 8ft by 10ft and 5ft high. She lived of the land and taught her daughter and childred from the neighbourhood to read and write in English, French and German.

In 1820, Maria received a letter from her son saying he was joining them. Marai and her daughter waited everyday on a raised area overlooking the road her son ould have travelled on.

After a while, Maria saw a man whom she beleived to be her son. But this man is said to have stopped and asked for directions to Maria's home from another man of bad character who lived in a cottage nearby. The next day, Maria and her daughter saw the neighbour and his son carrying a large, heavy sack and throwing it out into the mere. But it didnt sink, so they took it out and disappeared behind their cottage carrying spades. Maria tried to follow them but lost them. Maria went to the authorities the following morning believing her son had been murdered. Mr Wilbraham of Delamere House tried to help Maria but the mystery was never solved.

Another traveller came after claiming to be her son and Maria accepted him, but it is said, without any enthusiasm.

During 1832, Maria was nominated to fill a vacancy in one of the Dutch Almshouses in London and she left quickly leaving behind her daughter and "son".

It is said that the ghost of a young man and an old woman are amoung the spirits that roam the forest.

CIVIL WAR

Another ghostly tale associated with the forest is that of fighting Roundheads and Royalists from the Civil War.

Delamere Forest saw one fairly small skirmish on January 24th 1644. In a chance meeting of the Parliamentarians lead by Thomas Fairfax and the Royalist army lead by Lord Byron. The Parliamentarions were leading to Tilston Heath from Manchester before moving onto Nantwich. The Royalist army had sent a patrol out and after this meeting they lost about 30 men as prisoners. The skirmish is said to have taken place near the A49 near Nunsmere.

But this would not have been the only skirmish in the forest. Romans, Saxons and Welsh have all been in this area over time, so including the Civil War, probably many a life would have been lost here.

Other paranormal sightenings have included strange lights, a woman in white and a large black dog.

THE CONGLETON CANNIBAL

2010-12-31T12:50:00.000-08:00

On Saturday 23rd November 1776, Newman Garside, William Barrett (aged 13 years) and another boy, were walking Newman's cows near Astbury.

They crossed the wooden footbridge to Priesty Fields and they saw a woman's blue clock in the water. This clock had blood on it.

They called two more men over, Humphrey Newton and John Beswick. With their help and after a quick search, they found more items of clothing and a womans small bag.

Then Beswick made a horrible discovery, he discovered a womans right arm severed at the elbow and a leg cut off at the knee. Shortly after, they found another arm and leg.

The two boys were sent to get the parish constable, while the men continued the search and found a woman's breast and a clump of bowls. The boys returned with Parish Constable John Martin and some locals.

The womans remains were taken to a nearby stable overnight. The following day, the victim was identified as 22 year old Ann Smith, a ballad singer. They buried her in Astbury churchyard the same day.

By night fall, Samuel Thorley was arrested for her murder. He was well known in the Congleton area as a homeless, simple minded man in his early fifties. He has worked for a local butcher, hacking animal carcasses into chunks and also a gravedigger at Ashbury church. He was a big man with a vile temper. He had been lodging with an elderly widow, Hannah Oakes, near to the murder site. She told a local Weaver, Thomas Cordwell, that she had seen Samuel eating a lump of meat. Samuel had said it was pork. Some of this meat was still at her home.

Charles Reade, a local surgeon, confirmed to an inquest jury, that he had examined this meat and was able to established that this was the human flesh of a woman.

Samuel Thorley was locked up in Congleton Old Town Hall and then transferred to Chester Prison.

On Thursday 3rd April 1777, Samuel was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged at Boughton. He was executed on Thursday 10th April 1777 and then a month later on 11th May, Samuel's body was suspended from a gibbet on West Heath (which was near to Priesty Fields).

Samuel Thorley showed no remorse for killing Ann Smith but why had he killed her? And why eat some of her?

TRADEDY AT OVER, WINSFORD

2010-04-05T06:57:00.000-07:00

FIRE AT THE MILL

On Wednesday October 28th 1874, the skies above Over were ablaze as a fire broke out at a Cotton Mill. Flames leapt hundreds of feet into the evening sky.

The fire started about 5pm but by the time volunteer fireman arrived, this large mill (180 feet long, 90 feet wide and six storeys high) was almost destroyed.

Over Cotton Mill was a spinning and doubling mill, built five years earlier and was owned by Messrs Abraham Haigh and Sons. Head of the family firm was Mr James Haigh of Over Hall. More than 300 people worked at the mill, many having moved from Lancashire to work here.

The fire started in the spinning room on the fourth floor. A spark caused by friction from the machinery. There had not been any appliances to fight the fire in the mill, no prearranged fire drill or buckets of water kept by the machinery. These simple things like a bucket of water next to the spinners may have stopped the spread of the fire. No Health and Safety in then days.

Most people escaped with no injures but, as you can imagine, some people were burnt or suffered smoke injures. In total eight people did lose their lives.

Five workers had been found 12 hours after the fire started. The grim discovery of their charred remains were made by two Tarporley firemen. The other three victims died infront of the watching crowd.

Harriet Whitehurst and her three month old son had been trapped on the fourth floor with her daughter, Margaret, who was 13 years. They had first tried to escape down the staircase but had been overcome by the fumes. Knowing they were stuck, Mrs Whitehurst looked out of the fourth floor window and saw a large water tank below. She shouted to her daughter to jump and she landed safety in the water. Leaning out of the window with her baby in her hands, she let him go but before she could tell if her son had landed in the water, she too jumped. Sadley Harriet and her son, Thomas, crashed to the pavement in front of the stunned onlookers.

A few minutes later, the crowd watched as another woman burned to death, caught by her clothing on a rail 60 feet above them.

An Coroner's inquest was held at a local pub, The Wheatsheaf on Friday October 30th 1874. The verdict was accidental death on all the victims but the coroner, Mr Churton, said that it would had been wise for the mill owner, Mr James Haigh, to have kept a small portable engine on the premises.

The victims were buried in a common grave at St John's Church, Over. They were ....
HARRIET WHITEHURST .......... age 34 and her three month old son, THOMAS, of Factory st
MARTHA ANNE GOULDING .... age 15 of Factory st
MIRIAM WHITEHURST ............ age 23 of Factory st
CATHERINE MOUNTFIELD ..... age 17 of Over Lane Terrace
ELLEN FLETCHER ...................... age 18 of John st
ELIZA HINDLEY .......................... age 16
JOHN TIMPERLEY ...................... a married man of Factory st

Over the years, stories have grown regarding the site of the mill. Tales of screams heard and the smell of burning have been reported. Dark figures have also been reported. The figure of a woman has been seen, perhapes Harriet is looking for her son.

SAUGHALL'S GIBBET MILL

2010-04-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

This story happened in 1750 but according to Burdett's map of the country dated 1777, this mill was described as a New Mill, was this beacuse it had taken 27 years to build this mill, I dont think so, or had a new mill been built on the site of an earlier mill. Whatever the reason, Saughall Mill had been given the nickname "THE GIBBET MILL" from the tale I am about to tell you.

On August 29th 1750, four Irish harvesters were travelling back to Ireland through Parkgate, just three miles from Chester. The men got involved in a row and three of them attacked and murdered the foruth. They robbed him of his money and clothes and threw his body in a ditch.

We know they went drinking after this but this is where the tale changes.

One version claims hey were drinking in The Swinging Gate in Saughall and murdered a woman. Another version says they went drinking in The Old Greyhound in Shotwick.

Whichever version is correct, they were caught and during their trail, one man told on the other two and gave evidence against them. The trail ended on September 8th. Because one of the men gave evidence, the other two murderers were found guilty and hanged at Boughton on September 22nd.

Their bodies were brought back to Saughall and they were hung up in irons on a gibbet made from ash. This was postitioned at the junction of Parkgate road and a path which runs to the north of the present mill. Their bodies were exhibited as a warning.

The mill was grinding corn until 1926 and after fell into ruin. The mill was restored and is now a private house.

Over the years, rumours are told of shadowery figures are seen. Are these the lost souls who felt the cold irons as they hung from the gibbet or just people's imagination.

A VAMPIRE IN CHESHIRE

2010-04-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

We all know the dark, gothic and sometimes romantic tales of Vampires. So many books and films. The most famous of course is Dracula by Bram Stoker, written in 1897. But vampires have been reported throughout the world, from the ancient Egyptians into present day.

There are two types of vampires, those that feed off blood and those who draws off the life energy of their victim, both leaving the victims physically ill and mentally exhausted. So a so called vampire attack does not have to have the tell tale small puncture marks on their victim's neck. The symptoms of an attack are identical to a condition called ME (MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS). This can happen totally out of the blue and causes headaches, weakness, muscular pain, fatigue and sometimes fever and sickness.

In 1970, a 19year old girl from Winsford started suffering with these systoms. The doctor first diagonsed flu but the girl returned a week later. She was very pale and lethargic. She also had a number of purple marks on her neck and breasts. The doctor now thought the girl had glandular fever. The girl was not getting any better and her mum took her back to the doctors and told him that her daughter had started to have screaming fits and weird nightmares after midnight. The doctor referred her to a psychiatrist.

The girl told the psychiatrist about her nightmares --- after midnight, she would feel a cold sinister presence in her room. A young man, dressed in black would appear at the foot of her bed. The girl was asked to describe this man and she claimed it was a man called Lazzlo. He was living in her neighbourhood.

The man in question was Lazzlo Ordog. A 23year old Hungarian art student. He was over 6ft tall, olive skin, black slicked back hair and dark brown eyes.

A couple of months later, another girl was sent to the same psychiatrist. She had similar symptoms and the same story. She even described he same man.

The police couldn't do anything, so the psychiatrist deceided to go and see Lazzlo himself. Lazzlo was renting a room and was using it as a studio as well. There were water colours on easles, most unfinished. Two of these stood out to the psychiatrist as they looked like the two girls in his care. Lazzlo claimed all his paintings were from his imagination.

The psychiatrist told Lazzlo why he was there. Lazzlo started to act weird and asked the psychiatrist if he believed the girls. At this point, the psychiatrist felt uneasy and mumbled "I dont know". He left.

When he returned home, the psychiatrist found his cat dead on the doorstep. He called the vet and no cause of death could be found. The next night, while he watched tv, the mirror above the fireplace cracked in half. After he went to bed, he saw a man's silhouette standing at the top of his stairs. A short while later, his fiancee woke up choking. She said it felt like a pair of powerful cold hands were throttling her.

The psychiatrist thought about the vampire myths and even though he thought he might be going mad, he went into town and bought 2 bibles and 3 crucifixes. He gave a bible and crucifix to each girl and he wore the other cruifix. That night he heard a males voice whisper in his ear --- "I WILL BREAK YOUR NECK ONE DAY" But no one was there.

For a few eeks, they all wore their crucifix's and the girls kept their bibles in their bedrooms. All enjoyed restful sleep and the girls were soon feeling better. The psychiatrist decieded to pay another visit to Lazzlo but his landlord said he had moved out one night without leaving a forwarding address.

Had this been a vampire attack or was it more likly a case of hysteria, autosuggestion or coincidence.
Where did Lazzlo go?
Had he been an indocent victim caught up in the story because he looked different?

Just over twenty years later in October 1991, in the very house the first girl lived in, a haunting was reported.

A young woman claimed she saw a man dressed in black at 4am one morning. He was floating close to the ceiling above her bed with his arms stretched out. She hid under her bedclothes. She was terrified but found the courage to look. The figure had gone.

Had Lazzlo been back for one last time?

The Great Fire of Nantwich

2010-02-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

We have all heard about The Great Fire of London. But a little closer to home, in Nantwich, it suffered a simular fate.

On the 10th December 1583, a large part of Nantwich was destroyed in flames. It started at 4.15am in the kitchen of Mr Nicholas Brown in High Street. He was brewing ale and set fire to his kitchen. As you can imagine, the fire soon spread.

During the next 15hours, 600 buildings were destroyed. This included homes, outbuildings, shops, inns and stables.

The people of Nantwich ran back and forth from the river fetching water in little leather buckets. They formed a human chain from the river and into the town. Some people tried to pull the burning thatch off the roofs. But most people paniced. Many died, some from getting caught up in the mass panic in the streets, some were burnt to death trying to retrieve their belongings, others died trying to rescue neighbours or friends.

You can imagine the scene, the fire leaping from building to building, smoke and ash everywhere, the sreams of the dying lying on the floor, other people shouting for help and animals let out to save them.

The first recorded death from the fire was Mrs Anne Lovatt. She was part of the human chain fetching water. The wall of a partly burnt building fell on her. She was flattened and burnt to death.

Flames and crashing down buildings were not the only hazzards to watch out for that day. The Landlord of The Bear Inn did keep four bears in his cellar. He kept these for the terrible entertainment of bear baiting. These poor animals were kept on chains and teased by dogs. The landlord released these bears during the fire. These confused and terrified bears ran loose through the town. If the people of Nantwich didnt have enough to deal with, they now had four enormous bears running around and attacking people. A young woman called Maggie Duckworth came across these animals. She ran off screaming and her burnt corpse was found a couple of days later.

Another victim of the fire was an elderly widow named Alice Blagge.

This is known as The Queens Aid house and has a plaque informing us of what Queen Elizabeth did for the town.

Queen Elizabeth 1st heard about the fire and sent £1,000 to help with the rebuilding of the town. She also gave permission for wood to be taken out of Delamere Forest.

The weirdist part of this tale is that on Monday 9th December 1583, every cat in Nantwich left the town in a mass exodus. A few months later, they returned.
Was this a strange case of animals sensing the disaster before it happened?

Churches Mansion is one of the few buildings that survived the fire.

Ghostly Nun in Willaston, Nr Nantwich

2010-02-27T07:06:00.000-08:00

Cheshire is full of ghostly sightings of nuns and monks. I will cover the locals Abbeys and Nunnery's in Cheshire later in my blog. But this next tale is a little strange.

In the small hours of October 15th 1987, two women were travelling from Winsford into Crewe. They were travelling on the A530 road. They saw a woman dressed in black standing in a layby next to a Volkswagen beetle car. The girls felt sorry for this lady and believing she had broken down, pulled up next to her.

Once next to her, the girls realised that this woman was dressed as an nun. She looked elderly. The girl's offered the nun a lift. The nun agreed and said she wanted to be dropped off by a slip road before Willaston.

The girls tried to start a conversation with the nun, as they travelled but the nun wasn't the talking type. The girls were even starting to think if this woman was in fact a real nun, afterall it isn't everyday you see a nun dressed in the black robe you always think of. Was she in fancy dress?

All of a sudden, the nun suddenly declared that "there was a terrible storm on the way. It is going to cause terrible damage and kill people".

The two girls looked at eachother, then one of them asked the nun if they were near her turn off yet. As she turned round, she couldnt believe her eyes. The nun had disappeared. The only trace of her left behind was a faint smell if incense.

The girls arrived at their friend's house in Crewe and told her of the strange encounter with the nun and the terrible storm she told them about.

The next day, the girl's telephoned the police about their experience and to report the abandoned Volkswagen beetle on the hard shoulder of the A530. As you can imagine, the police were rather amused with the story but did promise to send someone to look for the car. Nothing was found and no one had been towed.

Later that day, the worst storm to hit Britain for two centuries hit our shores. It killed 19 people and caused £1.5 billion worth of damage. Do you remember Michael Fish told the whole country that there would be no storm and the weather would be calm.

Who was the nun?
How did she know about the storm?
Where was she going and where had she come from?

The Horned Woman of Sauhall, Nr Chester.

2010-02-26T15:30:00.000-08:00

The photo above was taken of Mrs Mary Davies in 1668 aged 72 years. And yes, you are seeing hornes growing out of her head.

Mary had lived all her life in Saughall. She married Henry Davies and they lived on a farm. Henry unfortually died and Mary practiced the business of a midwife.

Mary started getting headaches, swelling and soreness in her head. This was put down to wearing a tight hat for so long. This continued for five more years until she noticed two lumps either side of her head. These grew into horns. These fell off and Mr Huson, minister of Shotwick kept them. But two more grew back. An English Lord had one of these horns and gave them to a French King. A third pair grew back and these were given to Sir Willoughby Aston. Now this all started when Mary was sixty years old and over the next twelve years, Mary grew up to four pairs of horns. When the fourth pair grew, Mary was taken to Charing Cross Hospital at London.

At the age of 72 years, Mary's fourth pair of horns came off and were preserved in the Ashmolean and British Museums. She also had thre portraits done. These were kept at Doddington Hall and two at The British Museum.

In London, Mary caused quite a sensation and she is Saughall's most famous inhabitant.

I do not have any details about how, when and where Mary died. If anyone knows, please let me know.

Murder Lane, Hough, Nr Crewe

2010-02-26T14:10:00.001-08:00

This country lane in the Hough is known locally as Murder Lane but it is called Back Lane. As you might have guessed, it was the scene of a murder and the ghost of a gentleman without his head is said to walk down this lane.

This gentleman's name was Richard Davies senior. He was a 50 year old and father to eight children. His job was a tailor, draper, property owner and part time bookmaker.
A picture was painted of a quick-tempered and violent husband. He beat his wife and children.

On Saturday January 25th 1890, Mary Davies (wife) and two of her sons - Richard (18yrs) and Arthur (6yrs) were at home, when George (16yrs) came running into the house. He told his mother that two men had attacked both him and his father while they were travelling home on their pony and trap. Mary sent for John (her married son) and he brought his neighbour back with him. With George and Richard, they went to find their father.

The body of Richard Davies snr, lay in a pool of blood under a hedge, a quarter of a mile from his home. John told George to get the village blacksmith and Richard to get the police. After Richard reported to the police, he went to his sister's home. She lived in Crewe, over the families tailoring and drapery business with another brother, Frederick (10yrs) and Richard Davies's father,

Richard returned to the murder scene just before the police. Inspector Alfred Oldham informed Superintendent Jesse Leah, Head of the Nantwich Division of Cheshire Police. He arrived at 4am and took control. The police did not beleive the brothers story and Richard and George were both charged with the murder of their father. It was then that they turned on eachother. On Thursday January 30th 1890, they were charged with murder.

The inquest started at The White Hart Inn (next door to the Davies house). Dr Frank Matthews, the Nantwich surgeon who carried out the post mortem, told the coroner that he had found 10 seperate head wounds. The skull had been fractured in 6 places, anyone of them would have caused death. The inquest jury returned a verdict that Richard Davies had been murdered by person or persons unknown.

George and Richard Davies after entering pleas of Not Guilty, were formally committed for trail at Chester.

During the trail, the jury heard about how Richard Davies snr beat his wife and children. How he mistreated them and his hot and cruel temper. They also heard how Richard (son) left the house unseen and hid in Back Lane until the pony and trap with his father and brother came to him.

The jury was also told that the murder weapon had been a lather's hammer (one was missing from the shop).

The two brother's were found guilty even though not one member of the jury could tell who had killed their father.

Numerous petitions were sent to The Home Secretary. It is claimed that over 50,000 signatures signed these petitions including Churchmen, MPs and members of the press.

No one will ever know what really happened. Richard Davies died on the scaffold on Tuesday April 8th 1890. But George was given a 20yr prison sentance. Was that because he was younger?
On Saturday April 1st 1905, George was released from Parkhurst Prison after serving 15yrs. He never returned home.

The Battle of Nantwich

2010-02-26T11:32:00.000-08:00

THE BATTLE OF NANTWICH ----- 1644
Acton and Nantwich, Cheshire

It was a cold and foggy afternoon when my friend Kath and I thought we would retrace the footsteps of these brave Civil War soliders. We started out track around Acton Church. It was like a scene from an old horror film with the fog rolling over the gravestones. It was easy to imagine the horror from the battle, as so many were buried here and the church did hold prisoners for a short time.

Next to the church is The Star public house and Dorfold Hall. This area was The Royalist stronghold. Their headquarters were either at the church or the hall. But we know most (if not all) the Generals and Leaders stayed at the Hall and The Battle of Nantwich could have been planned from The Star.

As we walked round and headed across the road to the battle site, it was getting easyer to picture what the battle could have looked like. In fact, I was half expecting a solider to walk out in front of me, coming out of the fog.

We walked to an area known as Dead Mans Field. I am sure you can imagine why.
Many people have claimed to see and hear the battle continue, as if the souls are still fighting.

THE BATTLE
Nantwich had been the only town in Cheshire to go against King Charles 1 and sided with the Parliamentarians.

The Civil War had started because King Charles 1 (1600-49) had dissolved Parliament in 1629 and for the next eleven years, he had ruled alone. This had not been popular and by 1642 Civil War spread across the country. The war lasted from 1642-1646. The Parliamentarians (roundheads) under Sir Thomas Fairfax (1612-71) and then Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) finally defeated the Royalist (Cavaliers). In 1649, King Charles was executed in Whitehall, London.

Nantwich had had a few skirmishes between the two forces but by the end of 1643, Nantwich was besieged again by Lord Byran's Royalist army.

King Charles had been fighting in Ireland but peace had been arranged, so his troops could join the few that were left fighting the Royalist cause in this country. They landed at Chester and went to join Lord Byran's troops.

Nantwich was defended by 2,000 men led by William Brereton but the Royalist army was now 5,000 strong. Knowing he wouldnt have enough men, William Brereton sent for Thomas Fairfax. He came from over the Pennines with 3,000 men. Before reaching Acton, Thomas Fairfax met with a couple of small skirmishs, one in Delamere Forest on the day before the battle.

Thomas Fairfax set up his quarters on January 24th at Tilstone, just outside Tarporley and then headed towards Acton, meeting with another small skirmish at Barbridge on the morning of the battle. He set up his council of war at Hurleston, just outside Acton.

Lord Byran heard of Thomas Fairfax's approach with extra troops and left his headquarters at Dorfold Hall and met his other leaders at Acton Church and assembled his army on a hill. His artillery and infantry were sent across the frozen River Weaver. But this was his downfall, as a sudden thaw caused the frozen river to thaw and his army was cut in half.

The Parliamentarians, led by William Brereton left their camp (Hack Green Nuclear Bunker now stands in this area) and their headquarters, for the other leaders were at The Crown and Lamb Hotels and attacked the Royalist infantry. Thomas Fairfax attacked the front and his infantry held back the Royalist horsemen.

The Royalist army were attaked from both sides and they soon surrendered. In fact, the battle only lasted one and a half hours. 1500 prisoners were taken by the Parliamentarians and held at Acton church. Bullet holes can still be seen in the church and this has been linked to the shooting of Captain Steele. I will tell you about this later.

Lord Byron escaped but with only his cavalry.

Nowadays, this event is celabrated eachyear by a re-enactment of the battle by the Sealed Knot actors. They dress in full costume and carry long pikes, muskets and use cannons.
It is a great attraction and a fun day out.

But wondering on the batterfield itself, you are humbled as you remember the dead and what a pityful site the area must have looked.

Captain Steele
Thomas Steele was a reluctant solider and was a cheese dealer by trade.

He held Beeston Castle for Parliament until 13th December 1643 when Captain Sandford and only eight infantrymen with muskets, climbed up to the castle at night. Steele had plenty of men to defend the castle but he surrendered. It is said he entertained Sandford and his men to dinner.

Thomas Steele left the castle and travelled to Nantwich to inform the forces that Beeston had fallen. When the townsfolk found out, he was condemed to be shot. He died in Tynker's Croft behind Acton church. After being shot by two musketeers, one shot him in the belly and the other in the throat. His body was immediately put in a coffin and buried in the churchyard.

This had given the Royalist a stronghold and the castle remained in their control for a year before the main attack on Nantwich.
Captain Sandford was killed in the attack on Nantwich.
What had happened that night. Had Thomas Steele just had enough and gave in or did Captain Sandford tricked Thomas into believing that he had more troops than he had.

There have been many sightenings over the years. We have Civil war soliders walking around the town and of course many people beleive that the battle still takes place on the blood soaked fields. The sound of cannons, muskets and clashing pikes, also the screams and shouts of the fighting and dying men.

THE DRAGON OF MIDDLEWICH

2010-01-29T06:22:00.000-08:00

Moston is a small hamlet just outside Middlewich, Cheshire. The whole area is steeped in a legend about a Dragon.

Middlewich Parish Church has a screen in the Venables Chapel showing the story I am about to tell you. The Venable family commemorated this event in their coat of arms.

Around the beginning of the 12th century, this area of Cheshire was under attack by a fierce dragon. Many people had died either by being attacked by the dragon or by trying to kill it.

Thomas Venables, son of Sir Thomas Venables, first cousin of William the Conqueror, stood up to rid the lane of this dragon.

He faced the dragon alone. He went to where the dragon lived, which was in the swamps of Bache Pool(Dragon's Pool/Lake) at Moston. A road now runs through this area called Dragon's Lane.

He saw the dragon and just as the dragon was going to eat a child, Thomas shot an arrow through its eye. He then finished the dragon off with his sword.

THE MURDER OF MARY MALPAS

2010-01-29T05:34:00.000-08:00

The year is 1835 and we pay a visit to just outside Nantwich, Cheshire.

This tale is about the murder of a 15yr old girl and perhapes the wrong man accused of her murder.

On June 28th 1835, Mary Malpas was murdered, in Chapel Field, Hunsterton, Nr Nantwich.
She is buried in St Margaret's Churchyard, Betley. Her gravestone names the man whom it is beleived to have murdered her. His name was Thomas Bagguley. He was a happily married man with eight children. He was well liked and aged about 50yrs old.
The day after the murder, Thomas was found hanging. It was assumed that he had committed suicide and therefore he must have murdered Mary.
Thomas was buried at Wynbunbury Churchyard at midnight on the 1st July 1835 (This is what happened to people who committed suicide at that time,but some vicars still wouldnt let a suicide into their churchyard to be buried). This can lead you to think that perhapes Thomas was so well liked and even that some people did not beleive that he could kill anyone, that he had been allowed to be buried in the churchyard.

Mary Malpas's gravestone reads

THIS STONE
IS ERECTED BY SUBSCRIPTION
TO THE MEMORY OF
MARY MALPAS
THE BELOVED DAUGHTER OF
JOHN AND ANNE MALPAS
WHO AT THE EARLY AGE OF 15 YEARS
AND 10 MONTHS
WAS ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 28TH 1835
MOST BASELLY AND CRUELLY MURDERED
IN CHAPEL FIELDS, HUNSTERESTON
BY THOMAS BAGGULEY
AN ELDERLY MARRIED MAN
HE ESCAPED THE PUNISHMENT OF
THE LAW, BY ADDING HIS OWN
DEATH TO THAT OF HIS
INNOCENT VICTIM.

LONE WAS THE PLACE AND DARK THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
WHICH GAVE SWEET MARY TO THE RUFFIAN'S POWER
STEDFAST IN FAITH AND STRONG IN VIRTUE'S MIGHT
SHE FELL A MARTYR O THAT AWEFUL NIGHT
NOW SAFE FROM SIN AND HARM. SHE RESTS SECURE
AMONG THE BLESSED WHO IN HEART ARE PURE.

Mary was a domestic in the service of Mr Henry Davison at Doddington Park, Nr Nantwich. Thomas was a labourer here as well.

Thomas had been home all night but at 9.30pm, his wife went to bed and he was going to follow her. She called him a few times after and he said he would be up shortly. His son saw him at 11pm and also heard his mum calling him. By 2am, Thomas had left the house.

At 1am, that same Monday morning, Mary knocked on Mrs Davison's bedroom door and asked if she had permission to leave the house and go to her parent's house as her mum was dying. Mrs Davison never asked how Mary knew about her mum but let her go. Mary locked the door and took the key with her.

Mary's body was discovered a couple of hours later in Chapel Fields, just a short distance from the Davison house by two labours named Simeon Davies and Ralph Latham. She was lying on her back, her clothes pulled above her knees, her bonnet torn and sighns of a violent struggle.

Thomas's body was found hanging in the farms cow shippon by John Shuker. John went for help and Simeon Davies and Ralph Latham helped cut down the body. All three men told police that Thomas had a pocket full of keys including Mr Davison's front door key.

Did Thomas really have that key on him or was it placed there after his death.

The coroner concluded that Thomas had climbed up a ladder and knocked on Mary's bedroom window and wrongfully told her about her mother. He had then attacked Mary in the field and strangled her. He then could not live with the guilt and killed himself. The coroner and jury found a verdict of wilful murder against Thomas.

I find this hard to believe.
Mary could have planned to met anyone that night, perhapes she had a lover and they planned to run away together but someone else found out and waited for the two to met. Perhapes Mary was going to met her lover to tell him that she was going to have his baby and he killed her.
Thomas could just have been taking a walk as he could not sleep. He might have walked this way as it would have been nearing his time to start work in a couple of hours. He could have heard Mary and her lover rowing and even perhapes seen her murder. This could mean that Mary's murder could also be Thomas's murder. He could quite easily have killed Thomas and made it look like a suicide and put Mary's key in Thomas's pocket.

I dont think we will ever know the truth.
If there is anyone who has more information, please let me know.

Doddington Cottage, nr Bridgemere, Nantwich is said to have a ghost. This male ghost is said to be Thomas.

Hannah Wright

2009-08-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

The year was 1791. Times were hard and many children and adults lived in Workhouses. These poor people wouldhave had no where else to go. They would have been the lowest of the low.

People ended up in workhouses for different reasons. A lot of women ended up there because their husband may hae died and the house in which they lived may have been part of his job (ie gamekeeper). Landlords would evict the woman and children and replace them with the next employe and their families, sometimes within a week of the death. The woman would have to leave on very short notice and she would only be able to leave with anything she could carry. How would you feel to be suddenly be kicked out of your home with such short notice with nowhere else to go. Some children would be sent to the workhouse by their mothers while they found work and somewhere else to live. If times were hard, children were sent to the workhouse by both parents if they could not afford to feed them anymore. Even whole families would enter these workhouses when they couldnt afford a place to live or find work.

These large buildings were mostly full of diease and dirty. Meals were poor. A bed was something you dreamt about. Families were split up, men, women and children lived in seperate parts of the building. Many people were used as slaves in the local town and this was perhapes the case in this story.

This was poor Hannah's fate. She was twenty years old and she worked in the town's cotton mill. She would then return to the workhouse. She would have worked twelve hours or more each day or night. She may have worked there from an early age or been brought in from another area against her will.

But at the later part of 1790, Hannah disappeared and no one knew if she had runaway or something had happened to her. She would not have been a healthy lady and we do know she had small pox.

On January 18th, 1791, a notice was placed about Hannah. It read : A FEW MONTHS AGO, FROM THE COTTON MANUFACTORY IN NANTWICH, IN THE COUNTY OF CHESTER ... HANNAH WRIGHT, AN INDENTURED APPRENTICE TO RALPH FOGG, AGED ABOUT TWENTY YEARS, TALL IN PERSON AND RATHER LUSTY, OF A LIGHT COMPLEXION, AND VERY MUCH PITTED WITH THE SMALL-POX. IT IS PRESUMED SHE IS WORKING IN SOME COTTON MANUFACTORY AS A JENNY SPINNER. ANY PERSON GIVING INFORMATION WHERE THE SAID HANNAH WRIGHT MAY BE FOUND, SHALL RECEIVE A REWARD OF TEN GUINEAS BY APPLYING TO THE SAID MANUFACTORY, OR TO RALPH FOGG, COTTON MERCHANT IN MANCHESTER. IT IS EXPECTED THAT NO PERSON WILL RETAIN THE SAID APPRENTICE IN HIS SERVICE AFTER THIS NOTICE.

JANUARY 18, 1791

What happened to Hannah Wright and why offer a reward for her?

Maybe we will never find out but I would like to think she ended up with a better life.

The Ghostly Fire.

2009-08-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

This next tale comes from the west of Nantwich, near to the Shropshire Union Canal.

On a foggy evening in December 1959. A man from Wrexham was visiting a family member in Acton. His cousin lived on a farm a mile away and so he decieded to walk over there and see him.

As he walked down a lane, he saw a farmhouse/cottage on fire. Worried that it could be his cousin's house, he ran towards it. As he reached the property, he saw a woman wearing a shawl. She screamed at him "my baby is in there. Please save him". He fought his way through the smoke and flames but had to leave the property. He emerged out of the smoke only to find that the woman had gone. He passed out and when he came to, a short time later, he found himself in an open field. No flames, smoke or burnt out building to be seen. The fog had also cleared.

He made his way to his cousin's house but by this time it was 3am.

The following day, this gentleman and his cousin were enjoying a pint in a local pub, they were talking about what had happened and were overheard by the landlady. She told them that over a hundred years ago, a cottage had burnt down killing the baby son of a farmer. The mother had tried to save her baby. The farmer was not at home because he had been visiting his mistress. In fact, many suspected hat he had started the fire to kill his wife and the baby. The farmer claimed that the baby was not his. The landlady also told them that many other people had seen the phantom fire while crossing the field where the cottage had stood.

I will look into this tale and find out as much info as I can. I will try and find the exact position of the cottage and send in my team for a paranormal investigation.

The murder of Marie Bradshaw.

2009-08-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

This is a sad tale from not so long ago. There may be a few people who remember this happening or know about the people involved. If so, if they know anything about this, please get in contact with me.

This murder/love story comes from Crewe.

George and Marie Bradshaw lived in Bury,Lancs and had been married since 1948. They had two children, a boy and girl. But George had many affairs and by the middle of 1953, their marriage was in trouble.

It was around this time that Marie started her affair with Milton Taylor ( a farm labour).

By January 1954, George and Marie had had a fight and George left. He returned home a few days later, only to find Marie and Milton in bed together. Of course a row broke out and this time Marie left with Milton. She left her children behind and went to live with Milton in a flat in Underwood Lane, Crewe.

On the 20th February 1954, George found out where they lived and went to plea for his wife to return home. He went to the flat only to find that they had gone out but he was told that they had gone for a walk in Queen's Park.

He found them in the park and pleaded with his wife to go back home with him. She told him that she was expecting Milton's baby and that the only way she would return home to him was in a box. This would prove to be so true. If only she had known, would she had returned home to her children. George left them both in the park and returned home to Bury.

That night, Marie and Milton packed up their belongings at the flat and caught the last bus to Nantwich. WHY? Did they fear that George would return? They must have feared something cause they left without having anywhere else to go. They spent that night in an isolated farm hut just off the Middlewich road. We dont know what happened in that hut but it was Marie's last night alive.

About 10am, the following day, Milton ran to an agricultural hostel in Park road, Nantwich and told a local farm worker John Lee Mann that he had killed Marie. Milton was upset and crying. He showed John his blooded hands and cried " Im in trouble, I have killed Marie, I strangled her". He explained that he strangled her with his tie. But where did the blood come from? He even told John what time he had killed Marie, about 8.30am that morning.

John Mann took him to Nantwich Police Station. Sergant T.S.Shone and Inspector H.A.Murray went to find Marie's body and returned at 4.30pm. They charged Milton with murder.

The trail started on 2nd June 1954 at Chester. Milton pleaded not guilty because hid counsel Edmund Davies QC claimed that Milton was not in his correct state of mind.

Milton was found guilty and he was hung at Walton Prison, Liverpool on 29th June 1954.

Marie's body was returned to her husband and so that her statement that she screamed out to her husband in Queen's Park on their last meeting came true. She returned in a coffin.

There is a ghost story of a white lady around the park and these spectre's are associated with sorrow and loss of a loved one esp a child. Does Marie still visit her last place of happiness and moarn the loss of her unborn child and the two children she left behind.

William Hope and the Crewe Circle of Spirit Photographers.

2009-07-08T12:39:00.001-07:00

William Hope is famous for photographing spirits and forming the Crewe Circle.

He was born in Crewe during 1863 and died in Salford hospital on March 8th 1933. As a young man, he worked as a carpenter.

He first noticed his talent for photographing spirits when he and a friend of his, were taking photo's of eachother. One of the photo's that Hope had taken, showed an extra person behind his friend. It was claimed that it was his friends dead sister.

Soon after this, a group of six people formed The Crewe Circle of Spirit Photographers. William was in charge and it was for the purpose of taking spirit photo's.

At first, they worked in secret, in fear of being suspected of witchcraft. But when Archbishop Thomas Colley joined the group. They made their work public.

By 1922, William Hope had moved to London and had established himself as a propessional medium. It was at this time that The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) became interested in him and his photo's. They sent a young Harry Price to investigate William Hope. Harry Price of course, was to later become famous as one of Britain's leading paranormal investigators.

During Prices investigations, he claimed to find evidence of fraud in Hope's work. He claimed that Hope messed with the photos plates. But many people didnt believe him and supported William Hope. One of the biggest supporter of William Hope and The Crewe Circle was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Throughout William Hope's career, he had his supporters and disbelievers. When he died. he left behind the biggest mystery. Was he a fraud or were his photos true.

The building in Crewe where William Hope took his photos is long gone and is now replaced by Argos. People who work here have reported hearing footsteps, thuds, voices and other noices coming from upstairs when that part of the building is empty.

This is a photo taken by William Hope in 1919. It claims to show Mr and Mrs Gibson and their deceased son.

This is William Hope and a friend, taken in 1922.

This is the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Supernormal Pictures includung Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Crewe's link to the Titanic

2009-06-24T12:29:00.001-07:00

The country went into shock when the news of the Titanic hit the press.
On 15th April 1912, this giant passenger liner sunk after hitting an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean.

Many died but among them was a gentleman from Crewe.

Edward Dodd lived in Crewe all his life and after finishing his apprenticeship in the Railway Works. He signed up with The Whits Star line. He joined the Titanic as Junior 3rd Engineer.

He died at the age of 38yrs and left no descendants and had not married.

There is a plaque in Christ Church in memory of him.
It reads - IN MEMORY OF EDWARD CHARLES DODD, JUNIOR 3rd ENGINEER, WHO PERISHED BY THE FOUNDERING OF THE STEAMSHIP TITANIC IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, APRIL 1912.
THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY THE BRETHEN OF THE FREEMASON'S LODGE, FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES NO 979 CREWE>

Edward's body was never found and I wonder if perhaps he returns to Crewe as one of the ghostly shadows that is occasionly spotted in Crewe town at night.

Bridget Bostock, White Witch of Coppenhall

2009-06-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

Nearly every village can tell a tale of an elderly woman, living on their own, perhapes with a pet(like a cat). They were either liked or scared by the rest of the villagers.

Bridget Bostock was well liked and it was alleged she was able to cure all kinds of illnesses and wounds by prayer and her saliva glands. She was a healer and she would lick the wounds of the people who came to her.

Almost everything about her is shrouded in mystery. No one has ever established her official birth or death dates. But some do say she was born during the 17th century and died towards the middle of the 18th century.

She became famous for her healing powers. So famous in fact, that in 1748, the national press carried articles about her exploits. She became a nationwide figure.

At the height of her fame, she had a doorkeeper(like today's doorman) and she was seeing 5 or 6 clients at a time.

She sounds a lovely lady and I am at present trying to find out more information about her. She was a typical old woman, living on her own, who knew about herbs and healing.

Don Kinson's Oak

2009-06-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

This legend comes from Coppenhall which is the oldest part of Crewe.

The legend starts with a young man from Crewe, who died at sea during The First World War. His name was Wood (sorry no first name).

After hearing of her son's death, his mother was found drowned in a horse trough adjacent to a tree which was known as Don Kinson's Oak. I dont know if her drowning was a tragic accident or suicide.

Following her death, a raven was seen perched on the rim of the same trough.

People believed that it was the spirit of Mrs Wood. A local grocer didn't believe this and publicly let it known. But soon after he too was found dead in the same trough.

The raven continued to be seen in this area until Canon Reed, then Vicar of Coppenhall's St Michael's church heard about this and called in the Bishop of Chester. They performed an exorcism and the raven wasn't seen again.

It is said that this particular oak is no longer at the site but there are still a few oak trees in the fields of that part of Coppenhall, so perhapes it is still there. The tree was said to be west of Oak Tree Farm, off the junction of Groby road and Warmingham road. This is where a public footpath enters the field.

As of yet, I haven't found out why this tree was called Don Kinson's Oak. If anyone knows, please let me know.

Murder at Tilstone Fearnall

2009-06-24T07:39:00.001-07:00

This tale is something of a legend in Tilstone Fearnall at Alpraham, nr Tarporley. In fact many people still believe that the wrong man was hanged. Is this a murder mystery that to this day has never been fully investigated?
I will let you read and draw your own conclusions.
We travel from Cheshire to New Orleans.

The murder of John Bebbington.

During the early hours of Friday 17th April 1857, Thomas Chesters was walking to work. He had taken a short cut across a wheatfield on the grounds of Tilstone Lodge Estate belonging to Edward Corbett.

He saw a body lying in a ditch with a loaded shotgun beside him and he recgonised him as John Bebbington (gamekeeper). Thomas ran to his employer, John Sheen(tenant farmer). They both moved John Bebbeington's body to the nearby house of Mr Hall.

John Sheen then went to inform the Lord of the Manor, Edward Corbett, a senior local police officer and the surgeon John Croxton-Foulkes of Bunbury.
The surgeon examined the body and found he had a large gunshot wound on his leftside.

The following day, John Croxton-Foulkes conducted a full post mortem and found that the gunshot had passed through John Bebbington's left lung and shattered his heart causing instant death.

About 9am, Superintendent Francis McDermott, Constable John Kearns and John Sheen went back to the scene of the murder. They found some clean partridge feathers, some wadding from shotgun cartridges and two sets of footpints. They compared the game keeper's boots and matched one set of prints to him. They followed the other set and they led to Sandy Lane, Alpraham, to the cottage of 47yr old John Blagg. He was a shoemaker and poacher. He was charged with the murder of John Bebbington. They also took away his shotgun and boots.

John Blagg was held in Tarporley lock up overnight before going to Chester Castle.
He claimed he was not guilty.

The trail took place on Friday 7th August 1857 at Chester. From day one, a picture was painted of someone who (as a poacher) hated the gamekeeper.

During the trail, Lord of Alpraham Manor, James Tollemache, ordered the eviction of John Blagg's wife and 4yr old child from their home.
The villagers didnt like John Blagg but cared about how his family were being treated. They told Lord Tollemache that no one would testify against John Blagg and they would threaten anyone who did. Lord Tollemache's responce was harsh, he would evict any of his tenants who didnt obey him.

John Blagg claimed he was innocent and that he had loaned his boots to Henry Edwin Jones, on the day before the muder. Mrs Blagg confirmed this. The police had spoken to Mr Jones but let him go. She claimed the police were only interested in her husband because he was so disliked in the village. She even showed the police the other pair of boots her husband had been wearing.

The trail only lasted 10 hours and John Blagg was found guilty. His execution was set for Friday 28th August 1857.

Immediately after the trail, Thomas Jones (defence solicitor) and Andrew Johnson of Tarporley drew up a petition and sent it to the Home Secretary asking for a reprieve. But the appeal had been doomed to fail as (it was claimed) that Lord Tollemache had already spoken to the Home Secretary and so there was no way John Blagg would ever be set free.

During his time in prison, John Blagg talked to The Deputy Sheriff of Cheshire, Richard Bordessa. Richard Bordessa thought that John Blagg was innocent but John Blagg was hung on Friday 28th August 1857.

Now everything went forgotton for 30yrs. Then a Liverpool Merchant, James Sawers went to New Orleans. It was there that he heard of a startling confession made to the Rector of St Paul's, New Orleans by Henry Edwin Jones, on his deathbed. He had emigrated to Canada after the murder and died there.
He confessed that he had a personnel grudge against John Bebbington.
He had borrowed his boots, murdered him and left the footprints so that John Blagg would get the blame.

Was the wrong man hung?
Did the authorities just blame John Blagg and go for him because he was disliked?
Why did someone else claimed they had done the murder, if they had not?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANOTHER MURDER AT TILSTONE LODGE

After reading my tale regarding this murder, I was contacted regarding another murder some 17 years earlier.

Thomas Henshall was murdered in 1840 and he too was the Gamekeeper at the Lodge. Thomas was also shot in his left side and found in a ditch on the ground of the Lodge. His body had been taken away by the police and his body had been laid out by Sarah Sheen.

Shoemaker, John Elson, was the first suspect but it was Thomas Brooks who was tried for the murder. Thomas was found innocent and no one else was arrested or tried for the murder.

Is it possible that two murders could happen in the same way and at the same place, 17 years apart?

William Buckley

2009-06-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

This story does extend out of Cheshire (just a little). It goes all the way to Australia but I have included it in my blog because William was a local lad and its a great tale.

William Buckley was born in the late 18th century. He was the son of a Macclesfield farmer. He was a tall man standing at 6ft 5ins. He volunteered for The King's Own Regiment of Foot. He was said to be plucky and brave.
Unfortunaly, William fell in with a bad crowd. He was tried at Chatham accused of attempting to murder The Duke of Kent.
He was found guilty. He was initially put to work on fortifications at Woolwich.
At the age of 23yrs, he was transported to Port Phillip in New South Wales. He travelled on board The Calcutta. He was to labour as a mechanic.
I wonder what had been going through his mind at this point. He had been such a good solider, then the trouble, getting use to goal life and now travelling to another country. In fact, I dont know if he had even been guilty in the first place.

William did not take to this new life and planned his escape early on. With three comrades, they made their escape. One of his friends was shot and killed straight away. William never wanted to be a captive again and when his two friends returned to the settlement, William continued through the wild bush. Days passed but even without food and water, he continued.
Almost dead, he collapsed by the grave of an aborigine chief. The chief's widow visited the grave and was convinced that her husband had returned from the grave in the form of this giant white man.
There was great rejoicing at the village and William was made chief. They were said to be wild and they practised cannablism. Wise move on his part he stayed.
William stayed with the tribe for 32yrs.

In 1835, William was found by the founders of Melbourne. It is said that he only spoke a few words of English but he soon learnt this again.

After the authorities found out who he was, they granted him a free pardon and he acted as interpreter between the natives and the settlers for several years.

Buckley Falls, in Australia, is named after him and three miles from Geelong is a cave which is where he lived.

The clever Friar who outwitted the Devil

2009-06-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

This legend takes place in Over. This is an old area in Winsford.

From the 13th century, Over parish was under the jurisdiction of Vale Royal Abbey but for some reason the Devil held a grudge against the monks.

The Devil snatched Over church away, he tore the church from its foundations and flew off with it in his arms. When the monks found out what had happened, they started to pray. A few of them rushed to the Abbey bells, to warn others as to what had happened. The Devil was scared of the holy music and suddenly dropped the church.

The monks watched in horror as their beloved church fell out of the sky. So they prayed to St Chad, to whom the church was dedicated. The church landed safely on the spot where it is now. This is supposly a mile from its former site.
The Devil was of course not happy about this and wanted revenge.

As he wondered how this would happen, he saw a Franciscan monk from Vale Royal Abbey. He was sitting by an old stone cross eating some bread and cheese (imagine Friar Tuck from the Robin Hood legends). Ahhh, thought the Devil, I can trick this monk into giving me his soul.
The monk heard a voice calling to him, "Hows your appetite?"
The monk smiled as he knew it was the Devil. He replied "Promise me whatever I want and my soul will be yours".
"Done" said the Devil and thought this was going to be easy. "I grant you three wishes"
The monk listed his wishes. He wanted good food and wine for the rest of his life. His second wish was for perfect health and good company. His third wish was for one dozen hay bales picked by the Devil from Marton Sands and nowhere else.
The Devil agreed but little did he know that hardly a blade of grass grew here but of course the monk did.

The monk lived a good life and it is said to this day, the Devil is still searching for his hay bales.

Tilstone Fearnall

2009-06-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

This beautiful small village near Beeston Castle, has two wonderful ghost stories.
I have yet to pay a visit here but I will soon and take photos and find out more information.
The area is full of history and of course is assosicated with The Civil war, Romans and so much more. I will add more history and tales as I go along.

The Water Mill.

Along the Shropshire Union Canal by Tilstone Lock, there is an old ruined disused water mill.
At some point during 1811 - 1816, the locals broke into this mill and smashed everything.
They hung the miller, his wife and son.

At this moment in time, no evidence can be found to prove a triple murder took place. I will continue to try and trace all names associated with the mill.

But it has been reported that strange things have happened around the mill and some say it is haunted by the miller and his family. Lights have been seen, voices have been heard like screams and strange figures have been seen.
If this is a true tale, why would a family be killed in such a way?

The tall monk.

As you enter Tilstone Fearnall on the main Nantwich - Chester road, there is a dip in the road. At the end of Rookery Lane, there is an area known as Haunted Hollow.

This area is said to have a rather tall ghost. It is a 10ft monk. It is hard to believe about the size of this spirit but there have been regualy sightenings of a monk in this area but of a more normal height.
It is relevant to add that a Saxon Abbey had been close by. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book. A later Benedictine Abbey was founded on the same site in 1093 by Hugh Lupus and dissolved in 1540. This is now Chester Cathedral. But I will write more about Chester Cathedral when I write about other Abby's and religious sites in this area later on.

Information about Cheshire's customs

2009-03-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

Church Porch Watch.

This took place on St Mark's Eve(24th April) but sometimes on New Years Eve, Midsummers Eve, Halloween or Christmas Eve depending from which part of the area you came from. It involved the village seer, ie wise people or witches holding a vigil at the Church door between 11pm and 1am.

The seers would then claim to see the spectral outlines of those who would die in the following year.

Crossroads

Criminals and suicides were buried here, as it is said that when the spirit rose at night, it would get confused and not know which way to go. This ment any bad person who had been buried there, could not return to the village.

It is said because of all this bad engery buried here, Demonic spirits could be raised at crossroads.

Midnight was not a time to be walking past crossroads, as you would probably see the ghosts of the dead buried here.

Corpse ways

These were also known as; Church ways, Burial paths, Church paths, Coffin paths and Lyke(old english word for corpse) ways.

Some of these paths were direct from village, church and graveyard. Some would wonder in and around the village and also join other churches from other areas.

Many have now disappeared from memory but can still be found on old tithe maps under such names as Churchway Field.

A traditional way to carry a corpse was feet first, so the soul could not see where it had come from and so stopping it returning to haunt the village.

Corpse ways are said to be very haunted.
As you may see, people were very scared of the dead and made every attempt to make sure that the dead stayed where they were supposed to and not return.

Fairy paths

These were simular to corpse ways and it was said that fairies did use corpse ways. Fairies would fly between the ragwort plants, found along these paths.

To obstruct a fairy path, brought you bad luck, illness, death or poltergeist activity. Which ties in with these paths being haunted.

Beltaine Fires

Beltaine is a fertily festival which is why it is celabrated on May Day(May 1st - Spring). It comes from the Irish Gaelic Bealtaine meaning Bel-fire (the fire of Bel, Celtic God of Light).

Other spellings include - Beltain, Beal-tine, Beltan, Baltein and Bel-tein.

In Cheshire, this time of year is very important as this has always been an agricultural area and the seasons ran the lives of the people living here.

These Beltaine of Goodly fires started in this area as a celebration of the Druids. They were lit at the turn of all four seasons (but more well known on May Day). These fires marked the progress of the sun.

These large bonfires were built on high land and odd ones on the Cheshire Plain. There are a number of places we know these fires were - The Edge at Congleton, Pennine ridges around Macclesfield, hills of Peckforton and Beeston, Mowcop, Alderley Edge and into Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Nantwich was one flat town that had its own Beltaine fire. These name only a few.

It was said that on the eve of these fires being lit, dragons fought eachother, demons would steal babies and the doorway to fairyland would open.

The fires would be lit during a great ceremony with included human and animal sacrifices.

In some areas animals were passed through the flames to cleanse them. Perhapes this is where the idea came from where people and animals jump through lit hoops as a trick.

The custom of lighting these fires lasted well into the 18th century.

What a wonderful sight these fires would have looked across the countryside.

Jack the Ripper

2008-12-02T14:24:00.002-08:00

JACK THE RIPPER

Everyone knows the story about this man who kiled prostitutes in Whitechapel and surrounding areas in London. The dates vary from about 1885 - 1892ish.
The Ripper myth has grown over the years but there is a connection with this area.
In fact there are two, one from Liverpool and one from Lymm.

BESSIE AND GEORGE CHAPMAN

George Chapman was born as Severin Antoniovich Klosowki in a Polish village of Nargornak on December 14th, 1865. He trained as a Surgeon and completed his studies in Warsaw. He moved to London during the early part of 1887.
After two marriages, fake marriages and many women he lived with, George(as he was known now) met Bessie Taylor. But little did she know that some women in his past had died. They married(another bogus marriage) and ran a pub, The Prince of Wales in Barthalomew Square.
Bessie soon became ill, some say from the beatings she took at the hands of George.
They moved out of London but came back in 1901 and leased The Monument Tavern.
Bessie grew worse and on Valentine's Day 1901, she died. Cause of death had been exhaustion from vomiting and diarrhoea.
George tried to kill another"wife" soon after but was arrested by Inspector Godley on October 25th 1901.

But where is the Cheshire connection?

Bessie was the daughter of Cheshire farmer, Thomas and Betsy Taylor.
Her body was brought back to Lymm and buried in a hillside cemetery with her family. The gravestone had her surname removed and re done so there is no reference to her husband.

During George's trail, Bessie's body was exhumed and it was found to contain large amounts of metallic antimony in her body.
George was charged with three counts of murder. He was hung at Wondsworth prison on April 7th, 1093.

Inspector Abberline had always believed that George Chapman was Jack the Ripper.

George Chapman must have visited Cheshire, so over 100 years ago did we have Jack the Ripper walking amongst us?

JAMES MAYBRICK (Oct 25th, 1838 - May 11th, 1889)

My second story comes from just outside Cheshire, from Liverpool.
James Maybrick was born in Liverpool and was a cotton merchant.
He travelled to America regularly and in 1871 he settled in Norfolk, America to establish an office there. In 1874, he contracted Malaria which was treated with drugs containing arsenic. This resulted in him becoming addicted to this drug for the rest of his life.
In March 1880, James returned to Liverpool and during this six day trip, he met Florence Elizabeth Chandler. He was 42 and she was 18. They married in St James Church, Piccadilly, London and then moved to James's family home Battlecrease House, Aigburth, Liverpool. They had two children, a son and daughter. It was an unhappy marriage and they both had affairs. James also travelled a lot through work.
James's health deteriorated in April 1889 and he died on May 11th 1889.
An inquest was held and found that he had died of arsenic poisoning. Suspicion fell on Florence and she was found guilty but as I have already said, James had become addicted to arsenic. So could he have overdosed himself?

In 1992, The Ripper Diary appeared and it claimed to have belonged to James Maybrick. It takes credit for killing the 5 Ripper victims and 2 more.

Did Jack the Ripper come from Liverpool?

King Arthur.

2008-11-12T09:59:00.000-08:00

King Arthur and The Knights of The Round Table.

The Arthurian Legend runs the full lenght of the country.
I will cover the Cheshire area but there are so many interesting tales connecting King Arthur, his knights, Guinevere, Merlin and The Holy Grail from Wales and Shropshire. That I will continue the story to cover these areas as well.
King Arthur's Knights were the best of the best. They were fair and of the highest honour. They followed a strict code which included .----
- Never take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods.
- Never lay down arms.
- Defend the weak and good.
- Give one's life for your country, King and Lord.
- Fight for the safety of your country.
- Never break your faith.
- Grant hospitality to anyone in need.

No one can agree on how many knights King Arthur had. They range from 13 to 1,000. I have listed the names that crop up time and time again.
- King Arthur
- Sir Galahad
- Sir Lancelot du Lac
- Sir Gawain
- Sir Percivale
- Sir Lionell
- Sir Tristram de Lyones
- Sir Gareth
- Sir Bedivere
- Sir Bleoberis
- Sir Lucan
- Sir Palomedes
- Sir Lamorak
- Sir Bors de Ganis
- Sir Safer
- Sir Pelleas
- Sir Kay
- Sir Dagonet
- Sir Alymere
- Sir Mordred
King Arthur not only had the country's best men at his side but his wife, Guinevere and his wizard, Merlin.

Mythical weapons and treasures are also associated with Arthur, like his sword Excalibur.
These were called The Thirteen Treasures of Britain.

DYRNWYN
The blade of this sword would burst into flames in the hands of a noble man but nothing would happen in the hands of the unworthly.
THE HAMPER OF GWYDDNO GARANHIR
Whatever food was placed in it, it would increase 100 fold next time it was opened.
HORN OF BRAN GALED
This served whatever drink you wanted.
CHARIOT OF MORGAN MWYNVAR
This transported its owner anywhere they wanted to go, very quickly.
HALTER OF CLYNO EIDDYN
Tie this halter up and wish for any horse you want. This would appear the next day in the halter.
KNIFE OF LLAWFRONEDD FARCHAWG
This would carve for 24 men at a meal.
CAULDRON OF DIWRNACH THE GIANT
This only boiled water for a brave man.
WHETSTONE OF TUDWAL TUDGLYD
If a brave man used this to sharpen his sword, it would kill any man it was used on.
COAT OF PADARN RED COAT
This would only it a nobleman
CROCK OF RHYGENYDD
This cooked only the food you liked best.
DISH OF RHYGENYDD
This served the food you liked best.
GWYDDBWLL BOARD OF GWENDDOLAU
This gold chess board with silver pieces, would play by themselves when set up.
MANTLE OF ARTHUR
Whoever wore this cloak, turned invisible.
You may of heard of slightly different versions of each of these and by different names. Items like these appear throughout history.

Now we will move onto the area's associated with Arthur.

CHESHIRE.

Alderley Edge.
This is where Merlin lived and watched over Arthur and his knights while they slept nearby.

Wincle.
Lud's church is where Sir Gawain killed The Green Knight.

WALES.

Llyn Llydaw, Snowdonia.
King Arthur and his knights sleep here in a secret cave. Excalibur lies in the waters nearby.

CASTELL DINAS BRAN, LLANGOLLEN.
Resting place for the Holy Grail.

BASHERTON POOLS, PEMBROKE.
These lakes are said to be home to the Lady of the Lake who gave Arthur his sword.

CRAIG-Y-DDINAS, PONT NEDD FECHAN.
These caves are another resting place of King Arthur.

NANTEOS HOUSE, ABERYSTWYTH.
This house is said to have housed The Holy Grail hidden there by Arthur.

BARDSEY ISLAND
Merlin is said to have hidden the 13 treasures of Britain here, in a glass tower.

CAERLEON.
One of the sites for Camelot and Arthur sleeps nearby.

BRYN MYRDDIN, CARMARTHEN.
Known as Merlin's Hill. Merlin is kept prisoner under this hill. It is also known as Merlin's place of birth.

CEFYN BRYN.
Arthur is said to appear in full armour when its a full moon and emerge from under a stone (known as Arthur's stone) and walks toward Llandrhidian.

DINAS EMRYS.
A lord wanted to build a tower. When building started on Vortigern's Tower, it collapsed. He asked the Druid's why this happened and they told him to sacrifice a boy. A young lad was bought but this lad said that the tower fell because two dragons fought beneath the ground in a stone chest. This lad grew up to become Merlin.

ANGLESEY.
Arthur sleeps in a cave on the coast. This is also said to have been Avalon.

SHROPSHIRE.

OSWESTRY.
A nearby hillfort is said to have been owned by Guinevere's father, Gogyrfan.

THE WREKIN.
The fort of Cuneglasus (Arthur's son).

MUCH WENLOCK PRIORY, MUCH WENLOCK.
King Arthur's Crown Jewels are hidden here.

CAER CARADOC, NR CHURCH STRETTON.
The 13 treasures of Braitian are hidden here and it is also said to be Avalon.

MITCHELL's FOLD STONE CIRCLE.
Arthur is said to have drawn his sword from the stone here.

WHITTINGTON CASTLE.
This castle was build by Pain Perevil, who was married to Lynette the granddaughter of the Welsh Baren Cadfarch (a direct descendant of Owain Ddantgwyn, Arthur).
It is also a hiding place of The Holy Grail, which was hidden in the Chapel.

HAWKSTONE PARK.
This place has ben linked with The Holy Grail.

Information on Arthur and some of the key people in his legend.

Arthur
.Son of Uther Pendragon and Ugraine of Cornwall
.Married Guinevere
.He led the defence of Britain against the Saxons in the early 6th century
.Pagon
.He creats an Authurian Empire by conquesting Ireland, Orkney Islands, Norway, Denmark and France
.Whilst defending the Roman Emperor Lucius Tiberius in France, he hears that his bastard son, Mordred(whom he had left in charge of Britain) had told everyone that he had died, married Guinevere and seized his throne. He returns and finds out that Guinevere had also had an affair with Lancelot. He fights his final battle with Mordred. Mordred is killed by Arthur but Modred mortally woundes Arthur and he is taken to the Island of Avalon to die
.Arthur passed his crown to Constantine

Guinevere
.Daughter of Leodegrance of Cameliard
.married Arthur
.had an affair with Lancelot
.put on trail for treason, found guilty, put to the stake but rescused by Garth

Lancelot
.Son of Ban of Benwick and raised by The Lady of the Lake
.He was loved by Elaine of Astolat but he didnt love her and she died of a broken heart. Before she died she tricked him into sleeping with her and from that Galahad was born
.Lancelot loved Guinevere

Modred
.Arthur's bastard son by his half sister Morgause(wife of King Lot)
.Traitor to his father
.kill's Arthur

Galahad
.Son of Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic(or Astolat)
.Best known for achieving the quest for the Holy Grail

Gawain
.Son of King Lot of Orkney and Morgause(Arthur's half sister)
.Mordred's half brother, Arthur's nephew
.Fights the Green Knight

Gareth
.Son of King Lot and Morgause
.Modred's brother, Arthur's nephew
.He was killed by Lancelot when he rescuses Guinevere from the stake

Kay
.Hot tempered and sharp tongued
.not liked by the rest by loyal to Arthur

Tristram
.Nephew to King Mark of Cornwall
.He fell in love with Isolt(King Mark's bride and Queen). They had an affair

Perceval
.one of The Grail Knights

Gentleman Higgins, The Highwayman.

2008-10-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

This gentleman was of good birth and took up residence in Knutsford, Cheshire around 1756. What he had done before and where he was born is uncertain. But what we do know is in 1754, he was convicted of housebreaking in Worcester and sentenced to transportation for seven years. Shortly after he arrived in Boston,America. He stole a large amount of money from a house of a rich merchant and bought himself a passage back to England. This happened within a few months of being in the country. He lived in Manchester first, then moved to Knutsford. He bought 19 Gaskell Avenue. Then met Katherine.
Edward Higgins married Katherine Birtles on 21st April 1757.
He lead people to think he was a member of the gentry and rode hounds with them and even owned several horses. He claimed that he had property in various areas.
Edward and Katherine had five children.

But this was not his true career. He was in fact a burglar. He used his charm and charactor to make friends with higher class people. Edward and his wife would dine with their neighbours and friends. He hunted, fished and shot with them. This enabled him to be fimiliar with the layout of their homes, so that he could come back later and take their personnel things at a later date.

Edward was also a highwayman. He rode the road between Knutsford and Chester. He told his wife that he was out collecting rent from the various properties.

Time was starting to catch up on our gentlman highwayman. He rode out on one of his rent collections but went to Carmarthen. He was caught after breaking into a house and was identified as an escaped prisoner. He was sentenced to death. He tried to get out of it by handing over a fake offical pardon. But this did not work and the authorities realsied that it was a forgery. Edward must have loved his wife and children because after being sentenced to death, he wrote " I beg you will have compassion on my poor disconsolate widow and fatherless infants, as undoudtedly you will hear my widow upbraided with my past misconduct. I beg you will vindicate her as not being guilty of knowing about my villany".

Edward Higgins died on the gallows at Carmarthen on 7th November 1767.
There is a plaque on his house explaining who he was.

Some say that in the dead of night, Edward Higgins can still be seen riding his horse through the streets of Knutsford still searching for a house to pay a visit to or off on one of his highway visits. Is he still looking for coaches to stop?

Gold in Beeston Castle

2008-10-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

Beeston Castle is over 700 years old. It was built in the 13th century by Ranulf de Blundeville, 6th Earl of Chester. It was first used in anger during the Civil War. It was garrisoned by 300 Parliamentarian force. It was taken in 1643 by a Royalist captain and only 8 men who scaled the walls and opened the gates. The Royalists held it until 1645.
In the 18th century, much of the castles stonework was used to build causeways in Cheshire and the hill was heavily quarried.
It has been protected by English Heritage since 1959.

But there is a tale that there is a secret store of gold and treasure hidden deep under the castle.
This fortune was placed there by King Richard ll. It was his personnal fortune of 100,000 marks in gold coins and 100,000 marks in other precious objects. There is a document from the 16th century which suggests that some of the priceless artifacts included a gold quadrant in a leather case, a white helmet of St George, white hart brooches, cups and jewellery.

The story is that Richard ll stored his treasure in Beeston Castle before leaving from Chester to Ireland in 1399 (the year of his death) and he hid the treasure in the well. This well is 360ft deep and has a number of passages leading off it.
When Richard ll returned from Ireland, he was taken prisoner and thrown in goal at Flint Castle by the forces of Henry Bolinbroke, the Duke of Lancaster (later Henry lV).
The garrison at Beeston surrendered and Henry stole the treasure.

Many people have tried to find the treasure and see if it is still at Beeston. But as yet nobody has. There has been at least two attempts into the well in 1842 and 1935. What seemed to be three possible passageways were found at 339ft and it is believed that a forth passage is at 350ft.

So, is it possible that the treasure could still be there, hiden away in the lower passage or has it been stolen years before.
Could it be possible that there was no treasure at Beeston and the story was told as a ploy so the real hiding place for the treasure would stay hidden.

The Devil in Winsford.

2008-10-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

The Devil has been very busy in Winsford. I am not saying that the people off this area are bad, far from it. Read these two tales and you will understand what I mean.

Over Church.

Over is a small district in Winsford and the church was ubder the control of Vale Royal Abby. The story is that the church was taken from the Abbey and carried off by the Devil. The monks prayed and cursed but failed to stop him. Suddenly, the Abbey bells pealed and the Devil was forced to drop the church as he was scared by holy music. The Abbot and his monks called upton St Chad (to whom the church was dedicated) to save the building and so it landed safely on the spot it is now.

The Franciscan Friar- Father Francis.

Imagine a Friar Tuck of Robin Hood stories. This Friar enjoyed his food and wine.
As he was eating his bread and cheese by the River Weaver, a voice called out
"Hows your appetite?"
It was the Devil and he wanted the friar's soul.
"Promise me whatever I want and it's yours" said the friar.
"Done" said the devil.
So the friar said his three wishes. He wanted good food and wine for the rest of his life. Perfect health and good company. His last wish was that the devil had to pick one dozen hay bands from Marton Sands and nowhere else. For he knew that no grass grew there.
The story goes that the frair got his wishes and he lived a good and happy life but the devil is still searching for his hay. His soul had been saved.

The Wizard of Alderley Edge.

2008-10-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

This area is steeped in history about King Arthur and the Wizard, Merlin.
King Arthur and his army is said to sleep in a cave beneath the sandstone cliffs, waiting for England to need him again.
This area also has a well with a carving of a bearded face above it and the words "Drink of this and take thy fill, For the water falls by the wizard's will. The date of this carving is unknown.

The local legend is that in the late 17th century, a farmer was on his way from Mobberley to Macclesfield Fair to sell a fine white mare. As he crossed the sandstone cliffe called Alderley Edge, he came accross an old man with a long white beard and strange clothes.
This man asked if he could buy the horse but the farmer refused. The old man smiled and said "Do as you please but you wont sell your horse at Macclesfield and this evening you will sell the horse to me".
The farmer went to Macclesfield but could not sell his horse. He returned back the way he came and was greeted by the same old man in the same place. The old man said "Follow me" and lead him to a large rock. The old man touched the rock with his staff and two large iron gates appeared and he lead the farmer and his horse into the cave.
Inside the farmer saw sleeping knights and their white horses. The old man gave the farmer a pile of gold and explained that one of the knights did not have a horse. The old man said
"Thrice England shall be lost, thrice won.
Twixt dawn of day and setting sun.
Then dabbled wings shall ravens toss
Croaking over bloodstained Headless Cross".
In short, when England needed there most brave soliders, King Arthur and his man would wake.
The farmer left the cave and ran out. He turned round but all he could see was the rock, no gates or men.

The Headlless Woman, Duddon, Nr Tarporley.

2008-10-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

This is not a tale of just Grace Trigg. But I have found two headless woman who roam this area.
Both ladies are from the same time period - Civil War (1643 - 1644).
The second lady is Dorothy. I beleive both of their stories have over time been mixed up and poor Dorothy has been forgotton.

Dorothy's story.

Dorothy was accidentally decapitated by her father as he tried to save her from a group of drunken roundheads in the village of Duddon. Her headless body is said to roam aimlessly around the village and even roams upto The Headless Woman pub. So is Dorothy seen in the pub and not Grace.

Grace Triggs story.

Grace Trigg was either a maid or a family member of Squire Joseph Hockenhall at Hockenhall Hall, Tarporley.
The Squire( a Royalist) had been warned that a patrol of Roundheads were on their way to arrest him, so he fled with his wife, children and most of his servants after hiding his families treasure.
He left Grace to look after the hall, thinking as a woman she would not be harmed.
But Grace was attacked and she tried to escape. She fled down to what is now called The Roman Bridges. These three bridges are on a footpath by the hall. It is said that it was on the middle bridge that Grace was attacked again. She was beaten and kicked cause she would not tell them where the Squire, his family and the treasure was. Her head was chopped off and her body was thrown into the stream. It is said that her body was carried off by one of the soliders.
Her body was found months or even a few years later and because nobody could tell who this body was, she was buried without a proper buriel and that is why she still walks the area. She is seen with and without her head but could be where the two tales are mixed up.

Why did she head towards the bridges if she needed help. There is only the odd farm about and it would have been better to have headed towards town.
Another version of this tale is that she had gone to the bridges, after the family had fled, to see her lover. She was a Royalist and he was a Roundhead. This romance had been found out and she had been murdered beacause of it.

In Tarvin, there is a house called The Tudar House. This black and white building is on the outskirts of the village. There is a ghost of a Calaviler solider (Royalist) who use to live in this building. He walks about this building and looks out of the windows. His name is said to be Charles, late 30s to early 40s.
This man had been Graces's bodyguard at the hall. But could have also been a cousion or uncle. A canonball flew through the window and killed him when he shouldn't have even been in the building, he should have been looking after Grace. It is said that the ghost of Grace watches this replay and smilies because he had failed to protect her.

So which lady is the true headless woman of Tarporley or could it be a mixture of both. Both ladies are from the same time and around the same age - mid to late 20's.

Its an interesting tale and if anyone has anymore information on this, please let me know.