The Brown Lady of Raynham Manor

By Crusader1307

Most Ghost legends center around an untimely death, injustice or plain revenge. The Brown Lady has a touch of each. Raynham Manor is located in Norfolk, England and dates to the 16th Century. In 1713, The Viscount Wadpole entered into an arranged marriage to a much younger woman - The Lady Dorothy. The Viscount was by all accounts a cruel man, given to drink and fits of rage. It is no wonder The Lady Dorothy took a "lover". Upon finding out of her treachery, The Viscount had the young beautiful killed before her eyes (so she would never forget the sight). Further, he locked her up in her room. It was said he fed her very little and she eventually starved to death. Although rumors abounded, no one questioned The Viscount and Lady Dorothy was buried in the Family crypt. From that point forward, it is said - she still wanders the rooms of Raynham Manor. She wears her lovers favorite dress, a brown brocade dress (hence her name "The Brown Lady"). Unfortunately, she no longer has to still be tormented with "seeing" her lovers death - for she has no eyes, only large black holes! This frightening Apparition was accidentally caught in a 1936 photo. A photographer was taking a picture of the Main staircase. When developed, there was Lady Dorothy in all her "Ghostly" splender. Her Ghost is still said to be seen from time to time - even today.