Transcript
Speaker: o
Speaker: Darkcast Network, bringing our indie podcasts out of the shadows.
Speaker: Witches, Warriors, Ghoulfriends Welcome to Spindleshanks's Shack My name is Spindleshanks McScrew Your guide for all things ghoulish in Yorkshire And it's my pleasure to haunt you through the airwaves I can see you, you know I've picked a lock and escaped the Jubilee clock To regale you with miserable tales of bygone days From what they call God's own country Spooking the locals is indeed what I do best, and you can book on to one of my Saturday ghost tours in Otley and Skipton.
Speaker: There I will regale you with grisly local tales you won't hear anywhere else. But for now, pull up a pew and lend me your ear.
Speaker: I have a story to tell you that you don't want to hear.
Speaker: If you grew up in Leeds, chances are you've heard of the Blue Lady. You might also have heard of the White Lady. Well, this is a story about their best mate, the Grey Lady.
Speaker: This tale takes place at the stunning East Riddlesdon Hall, a National Trust property in Keefley. It's noted as one of the most haunted houses in Britain.
Speaker: The history of the estate stretches back over 1400 years, with evidence of a dwelling here since the 7th century, long before the Normans arrived in England, and parts of a Saxon cross were discovered on the premises that are now displayed in the Great Hall.
Speaker: Those who work at East Riddlesdon Hall claim to have experienced countless unexplainable events and ghostly encounters. It's been said that not a month goes by without paranormal activity happening within the manor.
Speaker: The Grey Lady is the most infamous spirit at Riddleston Hall. She is said to roam the corridors of the house, but is most frequently seen in the Grey Lady's chamber, which used to be her bedroom.
Speaker: She is a regular presence, especially on school trips, and is often spotted by visitors. She's often encountered by children who don't realise the building is haunted.
Speaker: And some tour guides, oi oi, have recalled being asked by school groups about the lady in the corner, only to turn around and find nobody there.
Speaker: Another freaky find at Riddleston involves a 300-year-old baby's cradle, which rocks by itself every Christmas and New Year's Eve. Weird.
Speaker: If you listened to the previous Yorkshire Ghost Tale, you'll know that we love stories about infidelity around here. But it seems that this is why our dear Grey Lady met her fateful end.
Speaker: The tale comes from the mid-1600s, when Cromwell's men still marched, and loyalty to the wrong crown could see your head rolling in a basket.
Speaker: Sir Grey was a stern man, cold, hard and unmovable. He married our Grey Lady for her dowry, not her heart. While he busied himself with politics and piety, Ms Grey found solace in the arms of another.
Speaker: Who this was, exactly, is unclear. Could it have been the Blue Lady, who was said to have died in the fish pond, or the coachman who haunts the east wing of the manor and was dragged into the lake by one of his horses?
Speaker: Could it have been the Scottish merchant who haunts the building after having been murdered by a steward whilst sleeping? Whoever it was, there have been an awful lot of deaths at Riddleston, and many of them seem like accidents.
Speaker: Something to dwell on, perhaps.
Speaker: One winter's eve, Sir Grey returned early from a battle in York, murder coursing through his veins. A servant had whispered of his wife's adultery into his ear, and with cold conviction he waited for midnight to strike, before making his way up to her chamber, along with two stonemasons.
Speaker: They bricked her into her own bedroom as she slept. The morning rose and the poor lady awoke to complete darkness.
Speaker: Her windows blacked out with stone. They say she screamed for days, but no one came.
Speaker: She died of starvation and lost all colour, and so the Grey Lady came to be. As for her lover, perhaps they ended up in a pond, or a lake, or stabbed in the night by a steward.
Speaker: If you ever do find yourself at Riddleston Hall, be polite. Offer a quiet hello to the shadows. And if you see a grey figure watching you from the corner of your eye, don't look away, don't turn your back, and don't blink.
Speaker: She hates to be ignored. Or maybe offer her part of your packed lunch or something, she's probably still really hungry. My creepy companions, I have been Spindle Shanks McScrew.
Speaker: to hear more Yorkshire ghost stories and local legends, you can book on to the Otley or Skipton ghost tour at www.yorkshireghosttours.com.
Speaker: And I might plug our upcoming new ghost tour as well, which will be running in Leeds from late August. Keep an eye out for that one. It's going to be horrible. Thank you for listening.
Speaker: See you on the other side.
