Wild Edric Ghostly Hound
The rolling hills around Church Stretton in Shropshire are said to be haunted by the ghostly apparition of a large hound, known as Wild Edric. This spectral creature is described as having eyes that glow red like hot coals, striking fear into the hearts of those who claim to have seen it. According to local legend, Wild Edric is a manifestation of a local hero and protector of Britain, who has been watching over the area for centuries.
Historical records suggest that Wild Edric was a real person, a local leader who fought against the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. Over time, his legend has evolved into a ghostly hound said to roam the hills around Church Stretton. The type of ghostly apparition known as a Shuck, Wild Edric is often associated with protection and warning. While there are no recorded dates or times for the sightings, the hound is said to appear to those who are out alone at night, serving as a harbinger of doom or a guardian of the local community.
Medieval legend and folklore
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Nearby Haunted Places
The Falling Girl of Halzer Hill
Halzer Hill, Church Stretton
Halzer Hill, a site of eerie legend in Church Stretton, Shropshire, is home to a haunting that has left locals and visitors alike with a chill down their spines. Deep within an old, abandoned copper mine, a tragic accident claimed the life of a young girl who fell to her death down an open shaft. It's said that her blood-curdling screams still echo through the mine's tunnels, a heartbreaking reminder of the fatal accident that took her life. The mine, now a hotspot for paranormal activity, attracts those drawn to the unexplained and the eerie atmosphere that pervades this site of sorrow.
Major Smalman's Ghostly Escape
Area around Wilderhope Manor, Church Stretton
Wilderhope Manor, nestled in the rolling hills of Shropshire, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Major Smalman, a diehard Royalist who lived there during the English Civil War. His home was once besieged by Roundheads, and it's said that Smalman managed to escape on horseback. Locals claim that his ghost can still be seen galloping away from the building, reliving that desperate bid for freedom. But that's not all - the manor is also reportedly haunted by the shade of a young girl who smiles at any witnesses before screaming horribly.
The Rustling Woman of Copper Hole
Area once known as Copper Hole, Church Stretton
Deep in the Shropshire countryside, near the village of Church Stretton, lies the area once known as Copper Hole. It's a spot where the ordinary and the unexplained seem to intersect. In 1882, a man walking from Church Stretton towards Hope Bowdler reported a most unsettling encounter. As he strolled along the road, he noticed a woman moving slowly behind him. He stopped to let her catch up, expecting her to draw level, but despite appearing to walk, she never closed the gap. The rustling of her dress was audible, yet there were no footsteps to be heard. This eerie scenario played out several times, with the man pausing to allow the woman to catch up, only for her to remain at a distance.
Legendary Arrow Haunting
Robin Hood's Butts, Church Stretton
Robin Hood's Butts, a series of ancient round barrows, stands quietly in the Shropshire countryside. This unassuming spot is steeped in legend, for it's said that the outlaw Robin Hood himself once stood here, firing an arrow at Ludlow church, several kilometres away. The story goes that his aim was off, and the arrow missed the steeple, embedding deep into the roof instead. It's a tale that's been passed down through the ages, leaving behind a haunting that's as intriguing as it is little-known.
Hyssington Church Bull Exorcism
Hyssington church, Hyssington
Hyssington Church in Shropshire is home to a rather unusual ghost story. A ghostly bull, said to be the animalistic manifestation of an evil squire, was once believed to haunt a local farmhouse. The locals were so afraid of this phantom creature that a group of brave clergymen decided to take matters into their own hands. They lured the bull into the church, where they performed a fierce exorcism. The ritual was said to have been so intense that it cracked the church wall, but did it really banish the spirit or just relocate it?
The Devil's Nightly Undoing
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St Peter's Church in Worfield, Shropshire, has a rather unusual tale attached to its construction. It seems the Devil wasn't too keen on the church being built on a nearby hill, so he spent every night undoing the day's work and moving the materials to the site where the church now stands. This nocturnal interference continued until the church was finally built in its current location. The story doesn't specify exactly when this happened, but it's a fascinating example of how local legend can shape the history of a building.