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Mary Pannell’s 16th-century witchcraft trial still haunts the Ledston Hall area in West Yorkshire, with eerie sightings and mysterious occurrences, writes JOANNA HAGUE
On a road leading away from the hustle and bustle of Castleford and through idyllic countryside, you will find Ledston Hall.
In the Middle Ages the hall was owned by the monks of Pontefract Priory. They built the original chapel in the 12th century.e Century. However, in 1540 they gave the house to King Henry 8e who rented the property to Henry Witham.
It was here in this Grade II listed building that Mary Pannell worked as a maid for the Witham family. The locals knew the family after the mysterious deaths that occurred in the hall. In addition to serving the family, Mary was a widower and a noted herbalist.
When her husband died, leaving her a widow with three children, following the death of her eldest son, Mary began selling herbal medicines to earn some money to support herself and her two daughters.
Mary was living in a cabin on the edge of a forest with her daughters when she began offering her services. Unfortunately, widowed women involved in herbal medicine were targeted by witch hunters in the 16th century.
Mary started working in the room to divert attention from selling herbal medicines.
It is believed that Sir William Witham’s son fell ill one day, and Sir William looked to Mary for help. Mary prepared a mixture made as a balm to rub on the young boy’s chest, but the child swallowed the mixture and died as a result.
There are also rumors that Sir William died at the hands of Mary, but there is no confirmation as it could also have been his wife as she found out he was having an affair.
Mary was arrested in 1593 for causing the child’s death, under the Witchcraft Act of 1562. However, Mary would not be brought to justice for another ten years. Mary was eventually sentenced to death by hanging in 1603. She was then removed and taken to a hill near Kippax, where she was burned. At the time, the hill was surrounded by trees, with a dirt road leading up. The hill was later renamed and is still known to locals as Mary Pannell Hill.
Mary Parnell Ghosts roam near Ledston Hall
The road between Ledston Hall and Mary Pannell Hill is where Mary would wander, walking the lonely road seen by several people. Several people have seen a hooded woman walking across the road in the middle of the night. When the drivers reach the intersection, the figure stands in front of the car and the car’s engine cuts out before disappearing.
One of the eyewitnesses told me that on her way home from her friend’s house, she passed a figure on the other side of the road. She thought this was strange because it was late at night. As she approached the intersection, the same figure she had seen and passed stood before her.
Logic told her that it was impossible while she was driving, and that the figure couldn’t get in front of her that fast. This is something that has stuck with her for years because she can’t explain what it was.
On the same stretch of road, people have seen a horse-drawn carriage with hooded figures inside. These were thought to be dressed in hooded robes, like those worn by monks.
Ledston Hall has featured on ghost hunting programmes, claiming to have contacted the ghost of the maid who we can only assume was Mary Pannell.
JOANNA HAGUE says: “I write fiction stories and in my spare time I enjoy ghost hunting. I have been into the paranormal since I was a child. I currently live in Yorkshire. My latest book is on Amazon: Ashfield Asylum and Other Haunted Memories.”
