Amy Robsart's Tragic Fall
Cumnor Place in Oxfordshire is said to be haunted by the shade of Amy Robsart, a woman whose life was cut short in a tragic and suspicious circumstances. The story goes that Amy was pushed or perhaps she jumped down the staircase, breaking her neck in the process. This event is believed to have occurred on the orders of her husband, Robert Dudley, who was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. The staircase where Amy met her demise is said to be the location of her ghostly apparition.
Historically, Amy Robsart's death in 1560 was a scandalous affair. Her husband, Robert Dudley, was accused of having her killed to marry his mistress, Elizabeth I. Although he was never charged, the rumour of his involvement has endured. The house where Amy died was demolished in 1810, but that hasn't stopped reports of paranormal activity. Some claim to have seen Amy's ghost on the site of the former staircase, reliving the moment of her tragic fall. While there are no surviving accounts from the time, the legend of Amy Robsart has become an integral part of English ghost folklore.
Tudor period, 16th century
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Nearby Haunted Places
Madam Dudley's Restless Spirit
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