This
fifteenth century house in Preston, Lancashire, is built in the style of many
great houses in the area, with a black and white timber exterior. It is
reputedly haunted by a
'White
Lady' who is thought to be the ghost of Lady Dorothy Southworth.
Lady
Dorothy lived at the Hall during the seventeenth century. Her family were
strong Roman Catholics but unfortunately Dorothy fell in love with a gentleman
who happened to be a Protestant. Because of family conflict, the young lovers
could only meet in secret, and eventually they decided they would elope. On
the night of their escape, the young man made his way to the Hall, but before
he could get to Dorothy, her brother crept up on the youth and killed him with
his sword. Consequently, both families found out about the affair and Dorothy
was sent to a convent abroad where she became insane and eventually died.
The
ghost of Lady Dorothy can now be seen wandering around the house, and also
near to the spot where her lover was buried. The sound of weeping has been
heard by many visitors to the house, as well as the rustle of long skirts in
the corridors and gallery.
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