NEWSTEAD ABBEY NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

ALEX LOCKWOOD · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 238 Location: UNITED KINGDOM

My sister, myself, and a friend went on a candle-lit 'ghost walk' at Newstead at Halloween last year. The guides told us about their experiences and those of visitors. While on the 'walk' they asked us to alert them to anything we felt, heard, or saw.

The 'Black Monk' and 'White Lady' are well known haunters of the house. But, it seems, there are quite a few 'residents' at Newstead, including a cavalier.

I saw none of these, but I did see a 'young lady' in the Lancaster Room, part of the Undercroft. The room is not large, and it was fairly well-lit that evening. All the doors were closed. The guide was the only person in the roped off area of the room when the 'young lady' appeared and disappeared. I neither saw her enter or leave the room. She made no sound at all.

The 'lady' was dressed in a medium blue gown, edged with lace, and worn off the shoulders. It was early 19th Century in style. Her skin was very pale. Her hair was dark brown, in a bun at the back, and ringlets down each side of her face. Her most distinctive feature was her long, slender neck, adorned with some kind of necklace.

The following day, I looked up portraits and photos associated with Newstead's former occupants [the Byrons, Wildmans and Webbs] on the Web. And got a shock when I found a painting of the Honourable Augusta Leigh, Byron's half-sister. For the 'lady' I'd seen was clearly her! Researching further, I discovered that she'd been snowed in at Newstead in 1813, while heavily pregnant.... Shocked

bitterbuck1 · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 1:37 pm Post subject:

Hi Alex!
Thanks for sharing!

To bad you couldn't have caught her on film! Very Happy

D B Sweeney · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 1:51 am Post subject:

Hi Alex,

Did you take a photo? Your description is quite detailed which suggests she may have been manifesting long enough for you to capture her.

DB

ALEX LOCKWOOD · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 238 Location: UNITED KINGDOM

D B Sweeney · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:17 am Post subject:

Looks like your sighting will be just another ghost story unfortunately Alex. Augusta will remain elusive for the time being.

DB

bitterbuck1 · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:35 pm Post subject:

Do you know if Augusta has been seen by other
"ghost walk tourist"?

Did you read how and when she died?

ALEX LOCKWOOD · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 238 Location: UNITED KINGDOM

Bitterbuck, I didn't mention this to anyone at the time, but did tell my sister and our friends when we left. My sister convinced me that I should post my experience on forums.

Returning to Newstead... While we were at the bottom John Shaw's [ca1830] staircase [the one in the semicircular 'bay' by the so-called Norman Tower], our guide told the group about colleagues' experiences of hauntings in that area.

The tale that stands out is this one. Another guide was ascending the staircase, late one afternoon, when she was surprised to see a young woman looking over the balustrade at her. This 'lady' had very pale skin, her hair in a bun and ringlets [just like my 'lady']... . When the guide went up to see who she was, and what she wanted, the 'lady' had just vanished! Despite looking for the woman, the guide could find no sign of her. Shocked

So, DB, if that 'lady' was Augusta, she is indeed elusive.... Smile

I found a Wikipedia entry for the Honorable Augusta Leigh [1783-1851], while trying to identify the 'lady' I saw. The portrait is the uncanny one I mentioned, as that is how the 'lady' appeared that night. It was painted by James Holmes [ref: englishhistory.net], but, sadly, the date is unknown. The Wikipedia entry doesn't say how she died.

D B Sweeney · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 3:29 am Post subject:

if that 'lady' was Augusta

Wink

DB

ALEX LOCKWOOD · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 238 Location: UNITED KINGDOM

While doing my Saturday voluntary work at Nottingham Castle, I got talking to a guy who usually volunteers at Newstead Abbey. It's the first time I've seen him since Xmas, so he didn't know about my Halloween experience till today. He told me that, as their kitchen is very near to the Lancaster Room, he has to pass through it. And always feels a 'distinct chill' or 'uncomfortable' whenever he does so. Augusta, perhaps?