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Dorothy Durant

, Botathan, Cornwall Unknown Stuart

Higher Broomfield, a rural field near Launceston in Cornwall, is home to a fascinating and somewhat unsettling ghost story. In January 1665, a young boy on his way to school encountered the same female ghost on several occasions as he crossed the field. The boy's repeated sightings left him ill, prompting him to share his experiences with his family. They in turn informed his teacher, John Ruddle, Vicar of Alternan, who accompanied the boy to the field and also witnessed the ghost. The vicar, along with other local people, identified the girl as Dorothy Durant. Interestingly, Dorothy seemed to be trying to communicate, but her words were too faint to be heard.

The story takes a remarkable turn when Vicar Ruddle conducted an exorcism, after which he was able to hear Dorothy's faint words. She warned of a great pestilence that would descend upon the land. This event, occurring in 1665, is particularly noteworthy given the historical context of the time. England was still reeling from the English Civil War, and the country would soon face the Great Plague of London in 1665-1666, one of the most devastating epidemics in English history. The haunting of Dorothy Durant, therefore, not only represents a personal tragedy but also possibly a supernatural warning of the impending disaster.

Historical Context

The haunting occurred during the Stuart period, a time of significant turmoil in England following the English Civil War.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Field
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
January 1665
Postcode Area
PL18

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