England's Screaming Skulls: The Terrifying Folklore of Britain's Most Haunted Relics
Every country in the world has its own unique set of problems. From Malaysia to Timbuktu, these may take many and varied forms. Sometimes it is dangerous animals, poisonous snakes, or large predatory cats; at other times, the problems have political origins, leading to a sense of unease.
England's problem is rather unique: England has a problem with Screaming Skulls.
As the name suggests, your average screaming skull is a noisy blighter, wanting nothing more than to keep a person awake at night. It is also not at all keen to be moved from the place it calls home. What has driven these skulls to such a rash course of action, and where are their favourite haunts? Come with me, dear reader, as we uncover their secrets.
The county of Dorset lies on England's south coast, and it is here that we find our first example of a Screaming Skull: Bettiscombe Manor. The existing property was built around 1694 and was the seat of the Pinney family.
According to the most widely reported version of the tale, the Pinneys had an African servant who was brought from his home in the Caribbean in 1830. On his deathbed, the man requested that the family return his body to his homeland. Promises were made, but sadly they were not kept. Instead, his body was buried in the churchyard of St Stephen's Church.
It is never wise to ignore a deathbed request; the deceased have ways and means of making their displeasure known.
Following the burial, there was a great disturbance in the hall. Ill fortune plagued the local village, while screams and cries were reportedly heard coming from the churchyard. Disturbances were also reported at the manor house, with windows mysteriously rattling and doors slamming of their own accord.
In desperation, the villagers petitioned the Pinney family to do something. The servant's body was exhumed and moved to the manor house. All that remains of it now is the skull; however, it had the desired effect. The disturbances ceased, and peace once again reigned in Bettiscombe. It is said, however, that should the skull ever be removed from the property, it will once again find its voice, and none shall rest peacefully.
Another famous example of a Screaming Skull can be found at Burton Agnes Hall, near Driffield in East Yorkshire. This impressive Elizabethan manor has been occupied since the early seventeenth century.
Here, legend speaks of a young woman named Anne Griffith, who lived at the hall. One evening, the unfortunate woman was waylaid by robbers and mortally wounded.
Before her death, she begged her sisters to allow part of her to remain in "our beautiful home as long as it shall last". She made them promise that, when she died, her head would be severed and preserved in the hall forever. To pacify her, the sisters agreed. However, when she died, they buried her in the local churchyard instead.
This proved to be an error. Strange footsteps and unexplained noises echoed throughout the hall, and a great sense of dread settled over the old place. Eventually, the sisters decided to relent, and Anne's skull was brought to the hall. As soon as it arrived, the disturbances ended. No one has been foolish enough to remove it since.
There are many other tales of Screaming Skulls. As I said previously, England has a real problem with them. However, I do not think my nerves can take any more of these frightening tales, and I have no wish to be the reason that you, my friend, suffer a sleepless night. So I shall leave the others for another day.
The final book in The Wendlelow Mysteries trilogy, A Crow's Scream, is now available. It marks the conclusion of this particular series, a trilogy told through twenty-seven interconnected short stories that chronicle the history and eventual fate of the haunted town of Wendlelow and the people who call it home.
It has been a wonderful journey, and I would like to thank everyone who has joined me along the way. Your support, encouragement, and kind words have meant more than I can say.
Fear not, however, for there are still many dark tales waiting to be told. There will be more horror of a distinctly folky kind, more mysteries to unravel, more revelations to uncover, and, of course, more things lurking in the shadows.
For now, I hope you enjoy this final visit to Wendlelow and the strange, haunted world that has grown around it.
Stay Spooky.
