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Colonel
Francis Winderbank
is the resident scary monster of Merton College. Some reports claim
he was shot in 1645 after surrendering to Oliver Cromwell.
| Have
you got a spooky picture? |
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If
you've drawn anything at school or you've got a strange photo
back from the printers send it to us for inclusion in our
Ghastly Gallery.
By
email at oxford.online@bbc.co.uk
By
Post
Oxford Online
269 Banbury Road
Oxford
OX2 7DW
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Those
that have seen the apparition say he walks around the library on
his knees. It is more likely that the ghost is actually walking
on the original floor before it was raised to the present level.
The
library of St John's College is also haunted, by the headless ghost
of Archbishop William Laud who was beheaded in 1645 following
impeachment by the Long Parliament. Late at night students immersed
in their studies have been disturbed by Laud kicking his head along
the floor with a candle in his hand.
The
lack of a head is a strong trend amongst ghosts. A fellow called
Napier was punished for his crimes by being cut into pieces
and scattered around the city perimeter. His spirit managed to put
himself back together but couldn't find his head. Now he endures
eternity riding up and down the Banbury Road in his endless search.
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| Rosamund
The fair haunting The Trout |
Obadiah
Walker was the catholic master of University college and tried
to follow James II when he fled to France. Sadly he was caught in
Kent and imprisoned. Although he was released for the last ten years
of his life he was a broken man. His solemn spirit is still moping
around the front quad.
Probably
the most tragic tale of an Oxford ghost is that of Rosamund the
Fair. King Henry II was deeply in love with the Nun who lived
in Godstow Nunnery, which lies on the opposite bank of Trout Island.
It was built in 1133, and was consecrated in 1179 by the Archbishop
of Canterbury in the presence of King Henry II.
It
is said that the King kept his concubine in a secret garden that
was protected by a labyrinth and guarded by one of his knights.
The knight held the end of a silver thread which lead to Rosamund.
The Queen was very jealous and killed the knight, stole the thread
and when she caught up with Rosamund killed her by making her drink
from a poisoned chalice.
Now
Rosamund haunts the Trout pub Wolvercote. She is often seen as a
shadowy figure sneaking around in the awnings.
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