Mears Ashby Witch Ghost
In the sleepy Northamptonshire village of Mears Ashby, a centuries-old injustice is said to have spawned a restless spirit. Sarah Bradshaw, a local woman, was accused of witchcraft and thrown into the village pond. Miraculously, she sank to the bottom, proving her innocence, and was rescued just in time. But the trauma of the ordeal seems to have left an indelible mark on Sarah's spirit, which is now believed to haunt the area.
The incident is said to have taken place in the 17th or 18th century, a time when witch hunts were common in England. Sarah's ordeal was a brutal example of the hysteria and superstition that characterised this dark period in history. According to local legend, Sarah's ghost still roams the area, a protest against the draconian treatment she suffered. While there are no contemporary accounts of the haunting, the story has been passed down through generations, taking on a life of its own.
17th or 18th century witch hunts in England
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Nearby Haunted Places
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