Wow! Stories of ghosts and goblins and phantom sightings abound in Great Britain. There’s no shortage of cool places inhabited by chill-inducing specters, and though another grouping of monoliths in Wiltshire is generally more well-known (referring to Stonehenge, here) today we’re going to learn about Avebury. Or more specifically, the area partially surrounded by the Avebury Circle, a 5000-year-old placement of giant stones that once bordered an entire village! While the picture doesn’t do their immense size justice, of the 97 or 98 (accounts vary) original stones, several weighed in excess of 80,000 pounds. Each!
Similar to what occurred on Easter Island, many of these great stones were dismantled and intentionally toppled over time, with nearly 30 being resurrected during the 20th century. Tales of hauntings and boulders that cross the road at midnight and other nifty paranormal happenings are easy to come by in this part of England with two particular instances catching my attention.
The first concerns the ghost who haunts the Red Lion, a pub and inn completely contained within the stones that’s been in operation for over 200 years. Prior to its conversion as a coaching stop and hostelry, the building was a basic English farmhouse. And totally off-topic, but a fascinating tidbit of trivia — there are over 600 pubs named Red Lion,which currently sits at the #2 spot for popular tavern handles. (The Crown, appropriately enough, is the most common name, though I have a particular fondness for the irony displayed in The Honest Lawyer and The Jolly Taxpayer. :-) But I digress…so back to our ghost…
Florrie, who was brutally murdered by her husband for infidelity, has a reputation for “scratching” those she doesn’t take a shine to when they stop by to wet their whistle or stay the night. Can you blame her? Her dear husband mangled her body and stuffed her down a well on the premises. (The top of the well has been covered with glass and is currently being used as a cocktail table). Drinks anyone?
One Red Lion visitor was researching a documentary and after only five minutes in a private room, she ran out screaming. Florrie had “touched” her neck, the action resulting in red marks down the lady’s back. Sounds like a scratch to me!
Stay tuned – next month, I’ll share a delightful tale about the phantom medieval fair I unearthed and the authoress who reported it. (She’s proved fascinating herself!).
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Larissa Lyons thinks brownies should be an official food group and prays nightly for a house fairy to appear–one who’ll keep the house clean.
While she waits, you can read about her penchant for Roaring Rogues and sexy cowboys at her website, and her attempts at healthy baking at her blog, Larissa’s Lair.
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