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Napier's Ghostly Procession

Banbury Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire Apparition Pre-Victorian

Banbury Road in Oxford is home to a rather gruesome ghost story. Napier, a man found guilty of heinous crimes, was executed and his body cut into segments that were scattered around the city boundaries. His ghost has been searching for his missing head ever since, and it's said that he travels along this very road, piecing together his body parts but still unable to find that final piece.

The story of Napier's execution dates back to a time when punishment for crimes was often brutal. His body was divided and scattered, a common practice to deter others from committing similar crimes. What's remarkable is that his ghostly form has apparently reassembled all but one part of his body - his head. Locals and travellers have reported sightings of Napier's ghostly procession, a haunting reminder of his tragic end.

Historical Context

Medieval crime and punishment

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Road
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Unknown
Postcode Area
OX1

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