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.