The
fourteenth century Scotney Castle, situated in Lamberhurst, Kent, was the home
of the Darell family for over 300 years and it is one of its members that this
ghostly tale involves.
Arthur
Darrell is thought to have staged his own funeral, for not only was he
supposedly seen at his own graveside, but the coffin in which he was buried
was later found containing nothing but stones. Reasons as to why he staged his
own funeral are unknown, but some believe that it may be linked with the
murder of a revenue officer.
After
his 'death', Arthur Darrell is thought to have taken to smuggling and was
eventually found out by the revenue officers. His capture led to a fight with
revenue officials and in the fight he managed to kill one of them. So he would
not be found out, he threw the body into the moat surrounding the castle. It
is thought that the ghost that now haunts this beautiful castle is that of the
murdered revenue collector. He has been seen coming from the water, dripping
with slime and stagnant water and then walking to the front of the castle
where he hammers on the door with his hands, seeking vengeance.
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