Phantom of Sonning Palace
In the sleepy Berkshire village of Sonning, a haunting has been reported on summer evenings for centuries. The site of the former Bishop's Palace, now a field, is said to be home to the ghost of Queen Isabella, wife of King Richard II. This phantom grey woman drifts across the field, her presence accompanied by the eerie sound of ghostly music emerging from the ground. It's said that George III's organist, who lived nearby, may have been the last person to witness this spectral apparition, back in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century.
Historical records confirm that the Bishop's Palace in Sonning was indeed a significant location during the medieval period. Queen Isabella of Valois, the second wife of Richard II, was a French princess who married the king in 1396. Her life was marked by turmoil and ultimately ended in tragedy. The reported sightings of her ghostly form, accompanied by ethereal music, have become an integral part of local folklore. While the palace itself no longer stands, the field where it once existed remains a site of paranormal interest, attracting those drawn to the mysteries of English hauntings.
Medieval period, 14th century
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
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Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Site of Bishop's Palace
Great Fosters Hotel
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