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Lisle's Ghostly Soldiers

Michael Wood and M5 motorway, North Nibley, Gloucestershire Apparition Medieval

Deep in the Gloucestershire countryside, near the village of North Nibley, lies a woodland with a dark and bloody history. This is the site of the Battle of Nibley Green, a 16th-century clash between the armies of Thomas Talbot, 2nd Viscount Lisle, and William Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley. It's said that Lisle's men were buried in a mass grave here, and that their restless spirits still roam the woodland. Locals claim that an eerie silence falls over the woods, with not a bird to be heard singing. And they say that's not the only strange thing about this place.

Historical records confirm that the Battle of Nibley Green took place in 1472, and it was a decisive defeat for Lisle's forces. Over 500 years later, in the 1980s, a driver travelling along the nearby M5 motorway reported seeing ghostly soldiers fighting on the embankment. This sighting sparked a flurry of interest in the haunted woodland, with many people visiting the site in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the phantom fighters. While there's no concrete evidence to prove the existence of ghosts, the story of Lisle's soldiers has become an integral part of local folklore.

Historical Context

The Battle of Nibley Green was a real historical event, fought in 1472 between the forces of Thomas Talbot and William Berkeley.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Woodland
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Single Witness
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
1980s
Postcode Area
GL11

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