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The skulls of Calgarth

wealthy Myles Phillipson owned huge tracts of the picturesque Wthe i6th century. But he was never satisfied with the extent of his English Lake District countryside around Windermere, during empire, always restlessly seeking new acres to add to his estates. He eyed the small farm of Kraster and Dorothy Cook, which overlooked the lake. And he decided that their humble plot of land would be the ideal site for the new luxurious mansion he planned.

The farm was all the Cooks had in the world, and they were not prepared to sell when Phillipson made his offer. He was not a man to take no for an answer. He invited the poor couple to share Christmas dinner with him and his family. The Cooks were awed by the foods and wines, and overjoyed when the landowner said they could keep a golden bowl they admired. Next morning, soldiers hammered at the door of their home, and arrested them. For a week they were held in separate cells, with no idea why they were being imprisoned. Only when they arrived in court did they learn of their “crime” — stealing a golden bowl from Myles Phillipson. The verdict was a foregone conclusion, because the magistrate hearing the case was Phillipson himself. When he sentenced them both to death, Dorothy Cook cried out: “Look out for yourself, you will never prosper. The time will come when you own no land. You will never be rid of us .. Phillipson was not worried by the threats. The couple were hustled to the gallows, and strung up to die.

Within days, Phillipson had acquired their land and started work on his magnificent new home, called Calgarth Hall. When it was finished, he held a lavish Christmas feast to celebrate. Friends and neighbours joined him round the table, making merry with rio expense spared. Then a terrifying scream sent them rushing upstairs, swords at the ready. Phillipson’s wife stood halfway up the staircase, shuddering as she stared transfixed at a hideous sight on the bannister — two grinning skulls. The landowner seized them, threw them into the courtyard, and swore revenge on whoever had perpetrated the tasteless joke. But his threats failed to put the minds of his guests at rest. Several shuffled 0 to bed early only to be woken in the small hours by more screams. The skulls were back on the stairs.

Over the next few days, Phillipson tried everything he knew to get rid of them. But each time they were thrown outside or buried, the skulls returned to haunt the home. Christmas was ruined. And as the news spread, so was Phillipson. His business declined, his riches dwindled. When he died, a broken man, his beaUti home rang all night with the demonic laughter of the skulls.

The tWO gruesome relics continued to visit the hail, giving the landowner’s heirs no rest. They appeared each Christmas Day, and on the njverSary of the Cooks’ execution. Only when the family became too poor to maintain Calgarth, and were forced to sell it, did the skulls leave the building in peace. | British | Derbyshire | Dorset | Fawkhans Green | Rotherham | Somerset | Wardley Hall | Yorkshire |