Sir Thomas Seckford manifests as an imposing tall figure in elaborate Tudor costume, complete with his distinctive steeple-crowned hat and ceremonial wand of office that symbolised his authority at Queen Elizabeth I's court. He is typically seen in the oldest parts of the building moving with purpose and dignity, though his demeanour reflects stern agitation over the posthumous betrayal of his charitable intentions. Witnesses report hearing his disembodied voice muttering specifically about money meant for the poor being stolen by wealthy men. The Remorseful Stepmother appears rarely as a visual apparition, instead manifesting through oppressive atmospheres of guilt and sorrow in the library and grand staircase. Her presence is marked by sudden temperature drops and overwhelming feelings of remorse that affect sensitive visitors. The most disturbing historical reports involved sounds of an infant or young child crying, particularly in library areas, until infant remains were discovered and properly buried during 20th-century renovations.