It's not Santa Claus with his reindeer sleigh who comes to Roos Hall for Christmas. According to legend, a headless horseman pulls a carriage that arrives every year on Christmas Eve.
In the Suffolk countryside, on the outskirts of the charming town of Beccles, stands Roos Hall – a red brick mansion set in green woods, shrouded in mystery and dim tales. This Grade I listed Tudor manor house, built in 1583, has gained a reputation as one of the most haunted places in England and is said to have been an execution site.
It was built by the De Roos family, the Baron family. With its original fireplaces, wainscoting and medieval parkland, Roos Hall is not only a historical gem, but also a place of paranormal activity, especially at Christmas.
The Hall of the Headless Horseman Haunting Roos
Among the countless ghost stories associated with Roos Hall, the legend of the Headless Horseman stands out as particularly chilling. This ghostly figure is said to pass through the driveway of the mansion on Christmas Eve, traveling through the night in his ghostly carriage and two or four horses. Coincidentally, this was the day on which the family were created barons in 1264, although nothing unusual is said to have happened on the day Robert De Roos was appointed.
Witnesses report seeing the terrifying sight of a man on a horse, but were horrified to realize that he was missing his head. The headless horseman pulls the carriage behind him, rides into the driveway, and disappears once they reach the door.
When they reach the door, a woman steps out of the carriage, appearing to be made of flesh and blood, and according to legend, if you look at her, it will drive you mad.
The apparition's sudden appearance and eerie silence send shivers down the spine of those who encounter it, cementing its place in local folklore.
This story was first read in the Eastern Daily Press of January 26, 1909. The story came from two FWD Robinson employees who owned the arena after years of changing hands. They claimed to have seen a carriage and a woman. However, in this version of the story, laborer Benjamin Benns saw it four times that year, and Robert Elvin saw it the week before Christmas and again before Christmas Eve. It is not certain, however, when the legend began to happen only on Christmas Eve.
Devil's traces in Roos Hall
Roos Hall is home to memorable stories. The most disturbing are mysterious traces called devil's traces. These strange indentations were found in various parts of the residence, sparking fear and speculation.
It is said that one of these marks can be found on the wall of a cabinet or in a closet in one of the bedrooms. And when they say the devil's sign, people most often call it a hoof stuck in a solid brick.
Some believe they are the remnants of a sinister presence that once roamed the halls, leaving physical evidence of its sinister visits. The origin of these marks remains unexplained, adding to the eerie atmosphere surrounding Roos Hall.
Gallows on an oak tree
The ghost of a woman in white is also said to haunt the enormous oak tree in front of the estate. The tree grows on the lawn about 30 meters from the driveway. It is unknown who she is, but it is said that she circles the oak tree six times to summon the devil. This particular oak tree, today surrounded by a wooden fence, is said to be the tree where criminals were sentenced to death.
It was also the task of the De Roos as landowners to punish criminals. To do this, they used a gallows, almost looking like a gallows, where they hung criminals, to discourage people from following in their footsteps and showing what would happen to them. They were usually dead, but sometimes they hung there for days, just waiting to die.
Later, instead, they planted three trees called Nelson's trees from which people could be hung. Apart from the woman, there was also a man in torn pants and a brown jacket. People believe that these must be people who were once shot.
Spooky girl in the window
The ghostly inhabitants of Roos Hall are not circumscribed to headless horsemen and devil's tracks. Visitors and residents alike report seeing a pale teenage girl peering out of the residence's first-floor windows.
This ghostly figure can often be seen watching from a distance, waving at you, with a melancholy expression and a disturbing presence. The identity of this apparition is unknown, but its regular appearances suggest a tragic past related to the history of Roos Hall.
The haunted legacy of Roos Hall
The haunting of Roos Hall is deeply woven into the fabric of its history. Built in the 16th century, the manor house has witnessed centuries of human joys, sorrows and conflicts, each of which has left its mark on the building. Over time, these emotions apparently developed into the ghostly phenomena that now define Roos Hall.
Christmas, a time of warmth and family gatherings, takes on a different tone within these haunted walls. The contrast of the holiday season with the mansion's dim history makes the haunted experiences even more harrowing for those who witness them.
In the peaceful of the Suffolk night, as the Christmas lights twinkle and the winter wind whispers through the archaic trees, the ghosts of Roos Hall arrive in a carriage pulled by a headless horseman, ready for their annual haunting.
Reference:
William Ros, 1st Baron Ros – Wikipedia
A haunted hall in Suffolk where a headless horseman appears every Christmas Eve
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