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Crisis appearances appear once to convey a message. RICK HALE examines the historical example of John Bonnell at Queen’s College, Oxford
When people find out that I am a ghost hunter, I am often asked several questions. Some are good, some not so much. It’s an occupational hazard.
But one of those good questions is: “What is the most common type of ghost?
Good question, and it depends who you ask. TV shows naturally push the demonic angle for ratings.
Your everyday ghost hunter might say that intelligent ghosts or residual ghosts are the most common. And parapsychologists go on and on about consciousness. (Just kidding, folks.)
But believe it or not, the most common type of ghost is a one-time deal. By that I mean that it shows itself once, gives a message or warning, and then shuffles off to the great beyond.
And parapsychology has classified this spirit as a crisis appearance. And depending on what they have to say, seeing it isn’t always a great thing.
When organized paranormal research and investigations were set up by Britain’s best minds in the 18th century, they heard many stories from relatives of people who had just died.
They reported that before the death of their loved one, that person mysteriously appeared before them. Even though they were many miles away,
Some reported knowing that a family member was ill and on the verge of death.
Or they died suddenly in an accident. Either way, that person appeared and gave a message or even a simple farewell.
While some may consider this a ghost, others completely disagree, saying it was a telepathic projection caused by great suffering. In case you’re wondering, I fall into the latter camp.
While there are several examples of crisis appearances, there is one that truly stunned everyone involved. And to this day it continues to baffle.
The crisis appearance of John Bonnell
Queen’s College, Oxford is Britain’s oldest and most respected higher education institution.
Since 1341, Queen’s College has produced some of the brightest minds in the country’s history.
And of course the college, with almost 700 years of history, has a number of reports of encounters with the other side of life.
But it is one appearance, the crisis appearance of John Bonnell, that is remembered.
The remarkable event that people at Queen’s College still talk about to this day occurred on the morning of November 18, 1750.
That particular morning, Mr. Ballard and Rev. More were chatting outside, waiting for the luncheon trumpet to sound, when they saw a curious sight.
Mr. Ballard pointed out to his companion a man from college whom he did not know.
Mr More noted that the man was none other than John Bonnell of Stanton Harcourt.
Mr. More could tell it was John Bonnell by the way he walked and the unique way he wore his robes.
But what exactly was going on with the man that so disturbed Ballard?
The reason Bonnell startled him was because his face was red and swollen, and he seemed both scared and confused. It was almost as if he didn’t know where he was, or where to go.
Mr Ballard said it was a sight he would never forget.
The two men watched the figure of John Bonnell as he walked hurriedly along the High Street, until he seemed to disappear just as he came to Catherine Street.
A frightening revelation
The two men thought nothing of the disturbing encounter until hours later, when the chapel said its evening prayers for the dangerously ill and injured.
When the two men heard that John Bonnell was on the list, they were surprised to learn that the man was sick. Even on the brink of death.
Both Ballard and More noted that they had seen the man just before the luncheon trumpet sounded, and other than his appearance he seemed fine.
James Harrison, who overheard the conversation, noted in awe that the two men were mistaken.
Mr. Bonnell had been on his deathbed for days and would soon meet his maker in the afterlife.
Later, when news emerged that John Bonnell had indeed succumbed to his illness, both More and Ballard stated that they had indeed seen John Bonnell and could not explain the bizarre situation.
The story of this famous encounter with John Bonnell’s crisis apparition is taken from the book ‘Britain’s haunted houses and family traditions‘ written by John Ingram in 1897.
Were More and Ballard wrong to see another man who looked a lot like John Bonnell?
That’s certainly possible, as mistaken identity happens all the time. It is quite common, as each of us knows.
However, Mr. More was absolutely certain, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that what he and his companion saw was indeed John Bonnell.
Considering that people have been seeing crisis apparitions for centuries, that is certainly possible.
