York Ghost Merchants’ Angus McArthur introduces the most haunted city of York and its many ghost stories.
Have you ever walked along the Shambles on a misty November morning at daybreak, or down Lady Peckett’s Yard in the early hours? There is a tangible connection with the past and an undeniable sense of those who have walked those flagstones before us. With a turbulent history spanning thousands of years and a compact, atmospheric medieval city centre dominated by the gothic presence of the Minster, the city of York provides a fertile context for hauntings and the telling of ghost stories.
Before the written word, these stories were etched into memory, passed down through generations, carried on the wind. Ghost stories have been told and re-told for centuries in this ancient city, such tales now form obscure yet unquestionable reputation that York has as the most haunted city in Europe, perhaps even the world…
Ghost Stories are tales of human drama; betrayal, unrequited love, neglect, and persecution. They often serve many purposes; to entertain, to frighten, but also as a message or reminder of mortality. They frequently unearth societal injustices and uncomfortable truths. The re-telling of such tales helps to connect us with those who have passed this way before us, guiding us hopefully to a better future.
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