White Ladies Priory - A spooky conundrum

For some years I lived in Staffordshire (UK) and would often visit Boscobel House and White Ladies Priory. The last time I went was in 2000 when I took KayEm.

Whenever I go there, I walk slowly around the priory ruins taking in the atmosphere. And EVERY time I first reach a particular point, I hear monks performing what sounds like Gregorian chant. This has happened every time - from when I first visited the site (at about age 6) until 2000.

The chant lasts about 10 seconds. If I then go out of the area (to another part of the ruins) and then return to the place I heard the chant, I hear nothing more. (i.e I only hear it once per visit).

The last time I went, I asked KayEm if she had heard anything and she said 'no'. The wind was still, there were no other people in the ruins and yet I still heard the chant, as I have done every time previously.



I decided to do some research, the result of which is the reason for the 'conundrum' part of the title. 'White Ladies' is the common name for The Priory of St Leonard at Brewood. The existing history is sketchy at best, but it only existed as a Priory until 1538 when officers of Henry VIII completed the disposal of the site after the Dissolution. It was founded towards the end of the twelfth century for nuns or canonesses of the Order of St Augustine.

Nuns or canonesses. So how is it that I hear distinct male voices whenever I visit that particular part of the ruins ?

The only thing I can think of is that I am picking up the original consecration ritual, which would have been performed by the Bishop of the diocese and priests from of the surrounding area.

White Ladies Priory

[edit on 16-8-2004 by Pisky]

Next time you find yourself there, if you hear the chanting again explore the immediate area.

Maybe the past is trying to tell you something.

No I don't know why you.

Spiderj

Some Eastern religions who believe in reincarnation would probably say that you are remembering from a past life.

Maybe you were one of the preists or had heard them.

I am very interested in Gregorian Chant. There is something about it that is very haunting. Particularly Russian Chant as it is significantly lower in pitch, deep and powerful. Im not of Russian decent though.

I am a British Subject (dual citizenship) but have never been to the UK (my father is Scottish). I will definately check out the Priory Ruins if I pass through Staffordshire though.

Me too, although I prefer Roman ruins. I agree that there is something hauntingly beautiful about Gregorian Chant, it's as if it can transport you to another time. Wonderful.

Gregorian Chant is the most soothing music out there, in my pixyish opinion.
And I do know what you mean when you said that it can take you to another time - whenever I listen to it, its as if I am actually in a mediaeval monastery listening to the monks at prayer.

Some Gregorian Chants can be downloaded (legally, I hasten to add) from this site:

www.emusic.com...



[edit on 16-8-2004 by Pisky]

Ok, you SHOULD hear males singing, even at the female monistary--they did often have several priests, and often the women were not allowed to chant---it's a form of leadership. Also, if some of it was high pitched, women were probably singing, teying to match tomes with the males--or the Tenor--lead voice(though I do remember one or two women WRITING chants)

Now, what type of chant was it?

Men singing one line (plainchant)? One pitch per syllable? More than one note per syllable (Mellismatic palinchant) Men singing the same line a 5th or octave apart? A drone bass with the lead (organum) and one pitch per syllable? A drone bass with the lead (Mellismatic organum) and multiple pitches per syllable? Come on, more details, this could be important for dating the time this is from.

Also, where was it you heard it, in a hallway or an open area where they gathered to pray?

Did you make out some of the Latin--may tell you approx, what time of year, as well.

Is it always the same?

Agnus Dei. Quitolis peccata mundi. Miserere nobis. 3x
AHG--noose Day-ee Kwee-tohl-lees Pay-kah-tah Moon-dee Mee-zay-ray-ray noh-bees
Holy God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us
Agnus Dei. Quitolis peccata mundi. Dona Nobis Pachem
Doh-nah noh-bees pah-chehm
Holy God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace

I live in Wolverhampton, not too far from Staffs and after a hard night at work (yeah, right) we decided to go driving and ended up in white ladies... about 12/1am and its so eerie its untrue, anyone from the UK into paranormal stuff, check it out, watch out for the worshipers, folk of the night... the type that spread chicken blood everywhere etc... it can be a clear night and theres always a fine swirly mist on the ground, gives me goose bumps thinking about it!! Tis fun though lol

Thanks for the info, jlc163. I knew that Nuns (even their Mother Superiors) were not allowed to perform Mass, and that it had to be done by a priest. I wasn't aware that there would several priests though. That certainly helps with my own research.

Its been a long time since I did Latin but I know it wasn't the Agnus Dei as I am aware of that particular chant. All I can say is that it was definitely a group of monks/priests chanting. ie not a single person. Maybe it was a response ?

As for the type of chant, I think the best thing I can do is to download some and see if I can find any that sound similar. Then I will put a section on my website and you can listen to it from there if you will. This has intrigued me for more years than I care to remember.

Originally posted by Stuey1221
I live in Wolverhampton, not too far from Staffs and after a hard night at work (yeah, right) we decided to go driving and ended up in white ladies... about 12/1am and its so eerie its untrue, anyone from the UK into paranormal stuff, check it out, watch out for the worshipers, folk of the night... the type that spread chicken blood everywhere etc... it can be a clear night and theres always a fine swirly mist on the ground, gives me goose bumps thinking about it!! Tis fun though

lol

Yes, I've heard of that too. Normally a bunch of kids creeping out with some drink to tell spooky stories and scare the # out of each other .

I lived in Wolverhampton for quite a while and know the area reasonably well. My parents live in Wednesfield and KayEm and myself spent a few months living near my old School on the Compton Road.

I still prefer Tamworth though


[Edited on 1-5-2004 by Pisky]

yeah, the 'cultists' lol oh the amusement!!!

Hello,

Another Wulfrunian here, who ended up in this forum by googling for 'White Ladies Priory', then registering when I sussed that we aren't alone in having weirdness happen there.

I was at White Ladies on Sunday night with two friends, and I'll just cut and paste what I've just posted to a mailing list that I mod, rather than write it all again:

Bit of background. Every Wulfrunian schoolchild ends up on a daytrip to Old Moseley Hall and Boscobel House. www.nationaltrust.org.uk... and www.bbc.co.uk... (I was also once a tour guide at the former) During my school trip there, we left Boscobel and toddled up the road to White Ladies Priory. I got as far as the track and a huge SOMETHING psychically whacked me one. I didn't even get as far as the gate, before turning around and getting my arse off that track. Skip forward a few hundred years, and one day, during the time I was working at Old Moseley Hall, Mum and I decided to go to Boscobel to get the bit of the Charles II story before the bit I told tourists everyday. After Boscobel, we decided to have a look at White Ladies. Now, Mum isn't known for being psychic, but halfway up that same track, not only I, but Mum too, got whacked with the DON'T GO THERE! feeling. Within sight of the gate, I remember her saying, 'let's go back' and I was only to happy to agree!

I remember a couple of years back going on a google search and finding another mention on-line of someone having a similar experience up there; but K*** and I googled on Sunday evening, and all we could find were the pretty tourist or historical pictures. However, I've just googled and found: www.abovetopsecret.com... - you have to register to see the thread on it though!

Anyway, back to the plot. The track let all three of us down with no major concerns other than those prompted by K***'s infected toe and the puddles. Just before we got to the gate, at the point where I haven't been able to stand it and have turned back twice before, I did see a dark shape dart into the trees ahead, however, it could have been anything. It was probably a panther. I don't know. But other than that, nothing happened, on any level.

We went through the gate and www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk... there was White Ladies. It looked beautiful, but also strange. We all said later that it felt as though we had been invited in, but under duress. The energies were literally bouncing off the place, but it was neither good nor bad, just golden and going visibly zing zam zing zam whizz from wall to wall. I personally got the sense that I wasn't quite trepassing, but not far off it. Somewhere where I was being allowed in on damage limitation, rather than pure welcome. As for the feeling of being watched... 'kin Hell! I've felt less watched in Beatties! LOL

However, this is making it sound spookier than it was. We were quite quiet at first, but I think that was more with the sense of strangeness than anything else. We did get canting a bit more later on, when we were more concerned with the architecture and the history of the building than any other conversation. For example, K*** hearing a quick snatch of singing. (K***, I've registered on Above Top Secret now, and guess what? The thread is about someone hearing a 10 second snatch of chanting in a particular spot at White Ladies, always in the same place. He's been there several times. The thread was posted in April 2004 and has been responded to by someone who felt the urge to visit there in May 2004. Bit like us, eh?) Or, for example, me getting quite hypnotized by the energy zinging around, and just standing there looking back, when some of the energy started to form into a humanesque shape, but then stopped. I waited for a little longer and it was just the vaguest outline. I got the feeling that I was being shepherded into following K*** and P****** on. I didn't touch any walls.

Nothing else of note happened, until we walked through the great arch into a square of foundations. It had looked as though that was the grand entrance, but it wasn't. K*** and P****** stepped just outside and I stood on what would have been a wall, I crouched down and switched 'it' on. I could see what would have been an aisle stretching back, but it's only grass now. I said to them, 'actually, I think that this would have been an altar', and something perceptively changed in the air. We categorically were No Longer Welcome. I remember looking at K*** and she had gone pure white. She'd looked agitated before, but now she was white. I'm assuming I wasn't precisely flushed either!

P****** suggested it was time to leave, and we did so. We were all on edge a little going up that track. None of us ran, and I don't think any of us had any intention of doing so, but there was a definite feeling that if we were approaching instead of leaving, I wouldn't have made it to the gate. That feeling of being watched and not being alone carried on for miles. I kept checking the mirror, because it felt as though someone other than P****** was in the back of my car.

We eventually reached a roundabout at Codsall - about halfway between White Ladies and the city centre - and it was as if something went 'click!' Suddenly, there wasn't the feeling of Someone Else There. I was a little shaken later, but I did that to myself, so it doesn't count. ;-)

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I'm assuming that a story like that doesn't make me sound as mad as a fish in this company. LOL

yours
Mab
xxxxx

PS The panther bit was a joke.

Greetings, Mab.

Can you tell me what your 'attitude' was during your visits ? Were you doing research or just visiting ?
Did you go with the knowledge that you were on holy ground, or was it just another place for you to visit.

The reason I ask is that I've never felt unwelcome there at all, but maybe thats because I always approach such places with the respect due to a place once considered sacred. I'm not sure that the 'entities' (if entities they are) appreciate people going there just to look at the place. And as for the late-night visits from people looking for a place to drink, I can virtually guarantee that would annoy any self-respecting monastic ghost.

I am definitely not saying that you went with less than a respectful attitude - what I am saying is that many people do and that any entities there probably don't like it.

I'm pleased to learn that someone else has experienced this phenomenon too. I would be definitely interested to learn exactly what K*** heard, in order to compare it to what I hear every time I visit.

Heck, form what I remember of graveyards, those leave you alone if you are consciously respectful. Bumbling around is not the way to go with a spirit. Can you describe the area where you heard the music, and IN DETAIL what the music was like?

Took this pic today at White Ladies with a digital camera - i can definately see something weird and skull like on the right of the picture towards where the wall starts to crumble away - trick of the light?

www.prizewin.co.uk...

I played with the pic using Photshop but could only enhance it very slightly. It seems to be a reflection from the stones themselves.

Hey pisky do you happen to know what types of stone they are?

Could they have a high amount of quartz in them or other crystyline material? I don't know if you have quartz deposits in England or not just curious, but maybe the type of stone could help.

Spiderj

From what I remember from when I was last at White Ladies, there are no obvious quartz deposits in the stone used on the priority building. I do know that there are a few stones which are of a different colour than most of the others, but I don't think they include quartz.

Looking at the pic again, I realised that some of the white marks on the stones could be bird turd.

More pix here


[edit on 16-8-2004 by Pisky]

Ha! Bird dookies aside, there are other reflective minerals it doesn't have to be quartz, just curious.

From a metaphysical stand point it would be interesting to know what type of stone it is.

Anyhoo, checking out the virtual shropshire and english heritage sights (double plus good link by the way) to see if they mention anything about the types of rock used, but if you know that would be helpful.

What if any types of mineral deposits or quarries are in the area?

Spiderj

I was at the Priory on Sept. 23/04 & took several pics. Question for Pam712...what part of the wall was that image from...in relation to the Arch?