From 6pm until around 8.15pm Adrian and myself greeted the intrepid Ghost Hunters at the gatehouse and told them where to park.

 

We all then gathered in the conference room (HQ) to give the first time Ghost Hunters the low-down on the priory and tell them how the nights investigation would be conducted. Three groups were picked, I was in group two with Adrian, Kate (sensitive), Maria (sensitive)and her two friends Lisa and Karen. Our first investigation was to be at the gatehouse.

 

 

 

 

I had conducted an investigation at the gatehouse in the past (as you would know if you have read my first report) but this time the place seemed different, for some reason I felt worried. The last time I was at the gatehouse it was dark but it didn’t bother me that much, this time I felt as though we were being watched and Adrian felt as thought we were being followed. While we were on the top level Kate was picking up on someone she later got the name Jacob, Maria picked up on the presence of a man that was once possibly a gardener at the Priory, she also kept feeling cold spots on her nose (this was easily ruled out due to the fact that the gatehouse was chilly). As we made our way to the first floor Adrian and myself took the stone stairs down and for some reason I had to get off them they felt unsafe not physically but mentally I thought that if I stayed on them something was going to happen. The last time I was there I felt fine on them so what had happened to the gatehouse or me to make me feel like this? Adrian used the dowsing rods to try and make contact but it didn’t pick up much, however I did manage to capture lots of orbs on night-vision floating around Adrian while he was using them.

 

 

We then made our way down to the ground floor (the gates them selves) it was here that Kate picked up on the fact that Jacob had fallen down the stone stairs to his death and this could be why I was feeling uneasy while walking down them. Kate also got the picture of a lady tending to Jacob as he lay on the floor, Kate picked up the name Hanna and believes this was the name of the lady. Interestingly enough Kate didn’t pick up on Jonathan (the spirit we discovered last time with Stacey). As we made our way back to the Priory for a well earned cup of tea Kate sensed that the big tree at the Priory had once been the scene of a hanging and one of the branches did in fact have a groove cut into it as if it was a rope burn.

 

 

The stone steps that saw the end of Jacob 

 

 

The Priory

 

 

The second part of our investigation was at the Priory it’s self we started in the children’s bedroom, the cradles in this room are supposed to rock by them selves so we set up motion sensors in the hope that we may catch something. This room made Kate feel upset and she also began to sing a lullaby so we had to leave it.

 

 

childrens room

 

The end room on the 1^st floor has been used for many things over the years, as we sat in the darkness Adrian was sure that we were not alone all though nothing strong could be picked up.

 

 

Adrian with his new best friend

 

We then made our way to the Priors room (aka Monks room) this was surprisingly quiet considering what has been picked up in this room in the past this room had a trigger object in it (a wooden cross) and later that evening it moved (only about 1cm but it moved!) lots of orbs were caught in this room on digital cameras but this could be due to lens flare from the windows… who knows.

 

 

 

We then went down stairs to the dining room I had the feeling of being watched again, this room had a strange atmosphere to it but not a lot was picked up so we moved to the room next door (music room).

 

Orb caught in the dining room

 

In the Music Room Kate and Maria felt the need to rush and sign some papers also someone being bullied not sure who was being bullied or what the papers were but they both felt it at the same time.

 

Orb caught in the music room

 

EMF readings were strong in this room and there were orbs galore. Kate and Maria could also smell incense, From here we went to the Entrance hall. While in the entrance hall Kate picked up on a man in the doorway and behind us, cold spots were recorded in this room and orbs caught on camera. We then had a break before venturing outside in the mist.

 

The Grounds

 

Sadly due to the mist and fog our digital cameras were useless outside so we couldn’t take any pictures. We walked around the grounds for about 40 minutes before sitting out the front by the well and entrance, the girls sat in the garden area while Adrian and myself sat by the front door. The girls reported hearing footsteps on gravel behind the hedgerow but behind the hedgerow was grass, (these footsteps were also heard by one of the other teams that night) and they said that someone was throwing stones at them. Adrian and I kept hearing what sounded like heavy thuds on the grass as if someone was jumping off a wall and landing on it. We had a look around the area but couldn’t see anybody, the noises and throwing carried on for about 15 minutes we then went inside for a well deserved brew.

 

All three groups gathered upstairs at HQ and we shared our findings, we then voted on where to hold a séance most people voted for the Priory (no surprise there as the gatehouse and the grounds were very cold) we all made our way to the music room and sat in a big circle. Stacey picked up on the presence of a man behind us towards the corner of the room, she then went into a trance and the séance began.

 

S-(Stacey)

A-(Adrian)

P-(Paul)

 

A- if there is anyone who wishes to come forward and speak to us please make your self know. We don’t mean you any harm we just wish to learn.

 

(silence)

 

A- if there is any spirit that wishes to communicate let them please make them selves known.

 

(silence)

 

A- can I ask why you are here?

 

S- (mumble) get out

 

A- we will go eventually but we would like to know why you are still here.

 

S- I live her

 

A- ok I under stand it’s your house, can you tell me what year this was your house?

 

S- IS!

 

A- sorry IS your house?

 

S- (mumble)

 

A- sorry could you repeat that please

 

S- why?

 

A- because I did not quite hear you.

 

S- you shouldn’t be here got out.

 

A- we will leave when it’s our time to go

 

S- I’ll have you hanged!

 

A- we respect you so please respect us

 

S- you shouldn’t be here am I understood.

 

A- yes you are understood, this is not just your house any more… we have paid money, this is open to the public

 

S- I have not seen money

 

A- no nor would you as this is not your house any more

 

S- this is my house

 

A- I understand that this is you house and that you have great pride and respect for your house. However many years have past and it’s now the year 2004 AD

 

S- I know

 

A- then you would also know that this is not just your house.

 

S- this is all mine

 

A- ok this will always be your home however we have just as much right to be here as you do.

 

S- (camera flash) stop that light!

 

A- we do apologise about the bright light, does it hurt when the light gets flashed?

 

S- no

 

A- why don’t you like the light being flashed?

 

S- because I …(mumble, mumble)

 

A- ok we understand we will respect this. Is there anything you wish to tell us?

 

S- get out!

 

A- apart from that, anything else that you wish to inform us or enlighten us about your home?

 

S- Henry will come and take you to the tower

 

A- which Henry would this be?

 

S- our king

 

A- Henry the…?

 

S- do not mock my words

 

A- I do not mock your words

 

S- get out

 

A- and we will leave but not yet we have just as much right here as you do, who is king Henrys wife?

 

S- (mumble)

 

A- was the answer Mary?

 

S- no!

 

A- I do apologise sorry

 

S- Catherine

 

A- ah Catherine, can you tell me which Catherine this would be

 

S- which Catherine?

 

P- Catherine of Aragon or Catherine Parr?

 

S-  there is only one

 

A- ok I understand may I ask you about your house

 

S- no

 

A- it’s a very fine house

 

S- it’s not a house

 

A- ah, it’s a very fine Home or Estate

 

S- (mumble)

 

A- sorry forgive my ignorance, what did you say?

 

S- (mumble) one light

 

A-one night?

 

S- one light 

 

A- oh, one light

 

S- the one light

 

A- ah the one light at the other side of the room, that is to aid us so we can see

 

S- him

 

A- which one? The one who just stood up or the one that is still sitting?

 

S- the one sitting

 

A- the one in front our behind?

 

S- the one with no arms

 

A- the one with no arms?

 

(at this point I was worried as I was sat behind Stacey with the screen to my camera out giving off a “light” and I was wearing my body warmer which has “no arms”)

 

P- I’m wearing a T-shirt

 

A- sorry you have to forgive our ignorance

 

P- I’m am wearing a T-shirt if that helps

 

S- him

 

P- do you address me sir?

 

S- one light

 

A- Arron do you wanna just close that up (camera screen) is that better for you sir?

 

S- one bright light

 

A- can you turn your light off Gary

 

S- one portrait

 

A- one portrait?

 

S- bright light

 

P- may I ask is it your portrait that hangs on the wall in…

 

S- (butting in) picture

 

P- is that your picture? (pointing to the picture in the corner of a man with long brown curly hair/wig)

 

S- no

 

A- is their a picture in your fine home

 

S- (angry mumble)

 

A- ok, has the bright light disappeared now?

 

S- I can hear thee

 

A- and I can hear thee sir

 

S- I’m in the corner

 

A- there are many corners to this room

 

S- near the …(mumble)

 

P- are you in the corner near the picture?

 

S- make bright light

 

A- you wish us to make bright light there?

 

P- (Paul points a torch towards the picture) can you see that light sir

 

(at this point we decide to turn the lights on above some of the pictures to try and find out which one is our spirit)

 

A- are you the man on the horse or feeding the horse or in the window? (pointing at a different picture)

 

S- you do not believe me?

 

A- no it’s not that I don’t believe you sir, I want you to identify your self in that picture

 

P- we see a picture of a gentleman I the corner a big gentleman in the corner, is that you sir?

 

S- make bright light and you will see me

 

P- I’m not sure we have a light bright enough to see you with

 

S- make picture portrait, make bright light and you will see

 

A- are you the gentleman in the next room?

 

(at that point Stuart makes his way towards the dining room light switch, in this room is an Almost Haunted motion sensor. Stuart claims he stepped over the beam but some how it is triggered, was he being followed?)

 

P- dose your picture hang in the dinning room?

 

A- do you wear a medallion a round your neck sir? Do you have a beard sir?

 

P- are you still with us there sir?

 

S- lights out!

 

P- is that where your portrait hangs in the room that had the lights on?

 

S- get out

 

A- very well sir we shall be leaving but not yet, may I thank you for your help your understanding and your courtesy and bid you good night

 

S- you will leave now

 

A- I will leave yes sir but you must…

 

S- not you!

 

P- me sir?

 

S- no

 

A- me sir?

 

S- no

 

P- who do you address sir?

 

S- that man (at this point Stuart is in the dining room alone with a torch, could this be who the spirit is addressing?)

 

P- do you wish to talk further with us sir or would you like to leave?

 

A- for us to depart sir you must depart first

 

At this point Adrian brought Stacey out of her trance and the séance ended for now.

 

So what did we learn from this séance well…

 

 

Thomas Sackville 1536-1608

 

At the time we believed the spirit we picked up on was Thomas Sackville Earl of Dorset, Barron of Buckhurst, Lord High Treasurer of England, Chancellor of the university of Oxford and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter. The spirit spoke of Henry and him being married to Catherine this could be Henry the VIII who was married to Catherine of Aragon until 1533. Thomas Sackville was Lord High Treasurer of England at around 1517 onwards (or so we thought) and this would explain why the spirit knew of only one Catherine but only if Thomas died before 1533.

 

But this is not true!!!! after some research we found that Thomas Sackville was born 1536 died 1608 so could not of been Catherine of Aragon or Katherine Howard because Katherine Howard was married to Henry the VIII 1540-1542 making Thomas Sackville 5 or 6 years old, Katherine Parr was married to Henry 1543-1547 making Sackville 11 years old when Henry died. so who were we talking to? Thomas Sackville bought the Priory in 1601 at the age of 65, 54 years after Henry VIII's death so if it was Sackville why did he say that Henry was king? maybe the spirit was right and that we just don't know who he is yet could it have been Henry VII? if so we can't find records that pin point one soul owner at that time.

 

After a break we then gathered for the second séance…the second séance was similar to the first. the spirit was present and he got a bit cheesed off with us because we didn’t call him “my lord” (at this point we still thought we were talking to Thomas Sackville), he kept telling us to get out as usual and he called Adrian a peasant. the spirit was also keen to find out why people referred o him as a “ghost” Adrian and Paul explained to the spirit that he was dead, the spirit seemed a little shocked. Soon after this the séance ended.

 

Halloween at Michelham Priory was a very eventful evening, this time round I seemed to pick up more negative energy than the first visit. Maybe the spirit was talking to me during the 1^st séance, maybe it was me he wanted out?… we’ll have to wait until next time to find out.

 

Arron- W.S.P.I.

 

**EXTRA**(added 10/11/04)

 

After a lot of research we have discovered that the spirit was most likely to be Thomas Cromwell (1485-1540) King Henry the VIII gave Michelham Priory to Cromwell in 1537 where he stayed until 1540 when Henry had Cromwell executed on 28^th July, the very same day Henry Married Katherine Howard.

 

 

Thomas Cromwell 1485-1540

1531 - member of the privy council
1532 - Master of Court of Wards and Master of Jewel House
1533 - Chancellor of the Exchequer
1534 - King's Secretary and Master of the Rolls
1535 - Vicar-General
1536 - Lord Privy Seal and Baron Cromwell of Oakham
1537 - Knight of the Garter and Dean of Wells
1539 - Lord Great Chamberlain
1540 - created Earl of Essex (later killed by Henry)