GHOSTS, FOLKTALES AND LEGENDS OF HAPPING (just for fun).

The beach at Bacton is reputedly haunted by a monk from Bromholme Priory who when walking along the beach came across girl washed up by a storm who died in his arms. The monk subsequently died of a broken heart (1).

In 1223, Bromholme Priory acquired a cross reputedly made from the true cross. Its fame rapidly spread and numerous miracles started to occur. In 1313 King Edward II visited Bromholme to see the cross himself (5).

St Benet's Abbey at Holme is reputedly haunted by a monk who betrayed the Abbey to the Normans on condition that he was made Abbot. However, when the Normans gained entry they hanged the monk on the gatehouse as a traitor (1).

An unspecified Old Manuscript details that during the time when the Bishops of Norwich occupied their Palace at Ludham, there was a hideous monster. Some said that it was like an enormous lizard but others said that it had wings, huge teeth and covered in scales so it was a dragon. The monster lurked after dark, searching for a victim and made a burrow at the back of the Carpenter's Arms (?) in the Street. However, one afternoon it left its burrow and a villager blocked up the entrance with a large stone. Not being able to return to its lair, the beast was last seen around the gatehouse of St Benet's Abbey where it entered the vaults (?) (6).

There is a reputed underground passage at Hickling Priory where a mad monk appears holding a quill and parchment having been driven insane by adding up the accounts (1).

The ghosts of dancing monks at Ingham Priory were reputably as a result of their bones being disturbed during the Dissolution of the monasteries (1).

THE MONKS DANCE - A LEGEND OF INGHAM PRIORY (2).

Hickling Broad is reputedly haunted by John Sadler, a young drummer and soldier who fell through ice on the Broad on his way to see his lover (3).

In Happisburgh, at a place called 'Well Corner' (?), there is a reputed ghost of a smuggler from Sea Palling who was killed by his fellow smugglers and dumped down the well (4).

There is a legend that the tower of Stalham church originally had a peel of bells but that the belfry fell and the bells were sold to Dutch merchants. However, as the merchants sailed from Happisburgh to Holland the vessel sank. It is said that before a storm, the solemn tolling of Stalham bells can still be heard (7).

According to legend, the ghost of Sir Berney Brograve can be seen as he rides forth to roam his desolate domain, through the gatehouse of Waxham Hall (8).

References:

1. Meeres F, 'Not of this world - Norfolk's Monastic Houses', 2001, Rigby Print: 130.

2. Meeres F, 'Not of this world - Norfolk's Monastic Houses', 2001, Rigby Print: 136.

3. Dixon G, 'Folktales and legends of Norfolk', 1987, Minimax Books: 21.

4. Dixon G, 'Folktales and legends of Norfolk', 1987, Minimax Books: 36.

5. Page W, ' A History of the county of Norfolk (VCH - volume II)', 1906, London: 361.

6. Ludham church guide printed by the friends of Saint Catherine, 1996: 7.

7. Stalham church guide.

8. Davison C & Pestell R, 'Wild Waxham', 2004, Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust: 41.

RETURN TO MAIN MENU