Archbishop Laud's Ghostly Apparition
St John's College in Oxford is home to a rather unsettling ghostly presence - that of Archbishop William Laud. His spirit is said to roam the college grounds, reliving the gruesome fate that befell him in 1645 when he was beheaded in London. What's particularly chilling about Laud's haunting is the manner in which he manifests - his ghost is known to pull his head from his neck and roll it at any unfortunate witnesses. It's a sight that's sure to send shivers down the spine of even the most seasoned paranormal enthusiast.
The story of Archbishop Laud's demise is a tragic one. After being executed in London, his body was returned to St John's College in 1663, where he had served as the college's president. It's said that Laud's ghost drifts about 20mm above the ground, which has worn down over the years since his death. This eerie phenomenon has been observed by multiple witnesses, lending credibility to the notion that Laud's spirit still lingers in the college. His legacy as a prominent figure in Oxford's history only adds to the mystique surrounding his ghostly apparition.
Archbishop Laud was a prominent figure in the Church of England during the English Civil War.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Keble College Ghostly Figure
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College in Oxford has a reputation for being one of the most haunted colleges in the city. In early March 1936, a Canadian student had a rather unsettling experience while walking down a corridor. The student spotted a ghostly figure with a cap covering its face, huddled at the end of the corridor. Initially, the witness kept quiet about the encounter, but it wasnt until others came forward claiming they had seen the phantom figure on or near a staircase that the story began to spread. The apparition was thought to be a man who had been expelled from the college four years prior to the sighting.
Mother in Black Apparition
Trinity College, Oxford
Trinity College in Oxford is home to one of the city's most intriguing ghost stories. In 1959, the verger was making his nightly patrol of the grounds when he caught a glimpse of a woman in black. She was a post-mortem manifestation, appearing to her son only once, but on this occasion, she was seen by the verger. The details of her story are shrouded in mystery, but her presence has left a lasting impression on those who have encountered her.
Wadham College White Monk
Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College in Oxford is home to a rather intriguing ghostly presence, known as the White Monk. This spectral figure has been making its presence known for many years, with reports of strange noises and sightings dating back to the 1960s. On 28 December 1968, a night porter at the chapel doors caught a glimpse of the ghostly monk, adding to the long-standing reputation of this Oxford institution as a hub of paranormal activity.
The White Nun of Oxford Playhouse
Oxford Playhouse, Oxford
Oxford Playhouse, a beautiful theatre with a rich history, is said to be haunted by the psychical remains of a nunnery that once stood on the site. This energy manifests in the form of a white figure, known as the White Nun, who floats around the building with a thin veil covering her face. The apparition was reportedly seen in the 1970s, leaving many to wonder about the connection between the nunnery's past and the theatre's present.
Exeter College Ghost
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College, one of Oxford's oldest and most prestigious institutions, is home to a rather intriguing ghost. The spectre of John Crocker, a former member of the college, is said to haunt the area around the chapel where his tomb is located. Dressed in a bright yellow jacket and brown breeches, John's ghostly apparition has been spotted by numerous people over the years. The exact date and time of these sightings are unknown, but one thing is certain - John seems to be quite at home in his afterlife, strolling through the college grounds as if he were still very much alive.
The Vanishing Professor of Jesus College
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College in Oxford is home to a rather curious case of a vanishing professor. In 1910, two students claimed to have seen one of their teachers, Mr Jenner, walking around the college grounds at night, between the chapel and dining hall. What's remarkable about this sighting is that Mr Jenner seemed to vanish into thin air, disappearing through a brick wall. It's a bizarre incident that has left many questions unanswered.