Skip to main content

Malekin of Dagworth Hall

The house of Sir Osberni de Bradewelle, Dagworth, Suffolk Fairy Medieval

In the sleepy Suffolk village of Dagworth, a most unusual haunting has been documented at the house of Sir Osberni de Bradewelle. This medieval residence, now long gone, was once home to a mischievous entity known as Malekin, a fairy who would converse with the family in a voice like that of a one-year-old child. Malekin's antics included sharing people's secrets and humouring the householders in both English and Latin. While he could be heard and felt by the family, he only appeared once, manifesting as a child dressed in a white tunic to a woman who had agreed not to try and touch him.

Dating back to the 12th century, this haunting is said to have occurred between 1189 and 1199. According to accounts, Malekin claimed to have been born in Lavenham and left in a field by his mother. He also possessed a magical hat that made him invisible. The fact that Malekin could communicate with the family in Latin suggests a level of intelligence and cunning beyond that of a typical household pet or spirit. While his intentions appear to have been benign, Malekin's presence remains a fascinating example of the complex and often inexplicable nature of paranormal activity.

Historical Context

Medieval Suffolk, 12th century

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Private Residence
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
No Public Access
Date / Era
1189-1199
Postcode Area
IP19

Nearby Haunted Places

Apparition 1.7 mi

The Haughley Dwarf Ghost

Railway line running past church, Haughley

The railway line running past Haughley church in Suffolk is said to be haunted by a rather unusual spectre - a small man dressed in clothing from two hundred years ago. A woman travelling by train along this line reported watching in amazement as this tiny figure emerged briefly from the floor of the carriage before sinking back down into the unknown. The encounter took place sometime in the twentieth century, leaving us to wonder about the story behind this diminutive ghost.

Railway line Georgian
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.1 mi

The One Legged Priest Haunting

House in village; exact location not known, Ashill

In the quiet village of Ashill, Suffolk, a most peculiar haunting has been reported at a house that, remarkably, still captures the imagination of locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike. The year was 1974 when this curious case drew media attention. It began with a standard call to the police: a burglar alarm had been triggered at a house in the village. Officers arrived to find not the usual signs of forced entry or fleeing culprits but something far more inexplicable. A set of footprints, markedly one-legged, led investigators on a merry chase only to vanish into a wall, leaving more questions than answers.

Private Residence Unknown
Read Full Story
Fairy 2.4 mi

Stowmarket's Merry Little Folk

Tavern Street, Stowmarket

Tavern Street in Stowmarket has a whimsical secret. At night, when the street is quiet, tiny people have been spotted frolicking and dancing along the pavement. These little folk seem to appear out of nowhere, their joyful singing and laughter filling the air. They are quick to vanish, however, as soon as they become aware of being watched. It's as if they're shy, mischievous creatures, playing a game of hide and seek with the living.

Street Unknown
Read Full Story
Shuck 2.5 mi

Shuck with Monk's Body and Dog's Head

Clopton Hall, Stowmarket

Clopton Hall stands tall in the Suffolk countryside, its ancient stones bearing witness to a most unusual legend. A shuck, a type of ghostly hound, is said to roam the halls, but this is no ordinary shuck. According to local lore, St Felix, a 7th-century saint, instructed a monk and a dog to guard a hidden hoard of gold, and over time, the two entities merged into a single, bizarre presence - a monk's body with a dog's head.

Historic Country House Medieval
Read Full Story
Post-Mortem Apparition 2.5 mi

Pauper's Graveyard Phantom Runner

Pauper's Graveyard, Stowmarket

Deep in the heart of Stowmarket, Suffolk, lies the Pauper's Graveyard, a place shrouded in mystery and eerie legends. It's here that a rather unusual ghostly apparition has been spotted - a whitish figure running over brambles. The sighting was first reported in the 1970s and then again in July 2018 by a woman leaving the graveyard. She described seeing a fast-moving figure disappear into the undergrowth. What makes this ghostly encounter all the more poignant is that the entity is believed to be one of the poor souls buried in the nearby graveyard.

Abandoned Cemetery Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.5 mi

The Young Girl of Stowmarket

Old Churchyard, Stowmarket

In the quiet town of Stowmarket, Suffolk, there's a haunting that has left residents and visitors alike with a chill. The Old Churchyard on Bury Road is said to be home to a young girl with a poignant presence. In April 2004, a witness took a shortcut through the churchyard after dropping her daughter off at school. As she walked, she noticed a young girl with plaited hair and wearing a red Victorian-style dress standing by a grave. The encounter lasted just a few moments, but the image stuck with the witness. Fast forward to 2014, and a concerned member of the public reported seeing the same entity, suggesting that this ghostly girl may still be wandering the churchyard.

Churchyard Victorian
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near The house of Sir Osberni de Bradewelle