The Grey Lady of East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley
Yorkshire Ghost Tales: ghosts in Keighley
You can listen to this tale as an audio story over on The Bell Witch Podcast
If you grew up in Leeds, chances are you’ve heard of the blue lady, you might also have heard of the white lady. Well, this is a story about their best mate - the grey lady.
This tale takes place at the stunning East Riddlesden Hall - a national trust property in Keighley. It’s noted as one of the most haunted houses in Britain.
The history of the estate stretches back over 1400 years, with evidence of a dwelling here since the 7th century long before the Normans arrived in England, and parts of a saxon cross were discovered on the premises that are now displayed in the great hall.
Those who work at East Riddlesden Hall claim to have experienced countless unexplainable events and ghostly encounters. It’s been said that not a month goes by without paranormal activity happening within the manor.
The grey lady is the most infamous spirit at Riddlesden Hall, she is said to roam the corridors of the house, but is most frequently seen in the ‘Grey Lady’s Chamber’, which used to be her bedroom. She is a regular presence, especially on school trips, and is often spotted by visitors. She’s often encountered by children who don’t realise the building is haunted, and some tour guides (oioi) have recalled being asked by school groups about “the lady in the corner”, only to turn around and find nobody there. Another freaky find at Riddlesden involves a 300 year-old baby’s cradle, which rocks by itself every Christmas and New Year’s Eve! Weird.
This tale comes from the mid-1600s, when Cromwell’s men still marched and loyalty to the wrong crown could see your head rolling in a basket.
Sir Grey was a stern man - cold, hard, and unmovable. He married our Lady Grey for her dowry, not her heart. While he busied himself with politics and piety, Ms. Grey found solace in the arms of another, who this was exactly is unclear; could it have been the blue lady, who was said to have died in the fish pond? Or the coachman who haunts the East wing of the manor, and was dragged into the lake by one of his horses? Could it have been the Scottish Merchant who haunts the building after having been murdered by a steward whilst sleeping? Whoever it was, there have been an awful lot of deaths at Riddlesden, and many of them seem like accidents… something to dwell on, perhaps.
One winter’s eve, Sir Grey returned early from a battle in York, murder coursing through his veins. A servant had whispered of his wife’s adultery into his ear, and with cold conviction, he waited for midnight to strike before making his way up to her chamber along with two stonemasons. They bricked her into her own bedroom as she slept.
The morning rose and the poor lady awoke to complete darkness, her windows blacked out with stone. They say she screamed for days, but no one came. She died of starvation and lost all colour, and so the Grey Lady came to be. As for her lover, perhaps they ended up in a pond? Or a lake? Or stabbed in the night by a steward?
If you ever do find yourself at Riddlesden Hall, be polite. Offer a quiet hello to the shadows. And if you see a grey figure watching you from the corner of your eye… don’t look away, don’t turn your back, and don’t blink!
She hates to be ignored.
Or maybe offer her part of your packed lunch or something, she’s probably still really hungry.
My creepy companions, to hear more Yorkshire ghost stories and local legends, you can book onto the Otley or Skipton Ghost Tour at www.yorkshireghosttours.com
And might I plug our upcoming new ghost tour, which will be running in Leeds from late August. Keep an eye out for that one, it’s going to be horrible!
See you on the other side…
Spindleshanks McScrew
