The Screaming Skull of Burton Agnes Hall
The skull legend of Burton Agnes Hall, near Driffield, in Yorkshire, goes back to the time of Elizabeth 1 when Sir Henry Griffith began the construction of the hall.
He lavished so much energy and care on the project that his three daughters soon got caught up with his enthusiasm.
Of the three, Anne was the most dedicated to the project which was finally completed in 1620 but tragically she was destined never to enjoy it.
Setting out one day to visit friends she was brutally attacked and robbed.
She was found still alive and taken back to her home at Burton Agnes Hall, where her sisters kept watch at her bedside.
Sometimes Anne spoke rationally about her regret at having to die and leave the house that they had all worked so hard to make perfect. At other times she wildly begged her sisters to keep her head safely on the premises so that part of her would remain there forever!
In order to calm her ravings the two women promised to fulfil her wish, though when Anne died her body was placed complete in the family vault.
They were soon reminded of their promise when a supernatural force burst into the hall one night.
The building trembled with thunderous noise; the crashing of doors slamming of their accord and the sound of groaning.
The local clergyman was called and when he learned of the promise made to Anne he said that if they wanted a peaceful life it should be honoured.
Anne’s coffin was then opened, her skull taken to the hall and the alarming noises stopped immediately.
Some years later a new maid was so upset when she came across the skull unexpectedly that she threw out of the window.
It landed in a passing cart and immediately the horse pulling it became paralysed with fear and refused to go on.
Only when the skull was returned to the hall did the horse start on its journey again.
Over the years any interference with the skull always produced alarming consequences, and so it remained in the hall, just as Anne Griffith had wished.
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Posted on Wed 24th Jun 2009 15:19:00