GHOST STORIES -
The truly terrifying theatrical production will be transferring to the West End’s Duke of York Theatre on 25th June, after a sell out run at the Lyric Hammersmith
The Falstaff Experience is also known as The Shrieves House
Initial Base Readings:
Table 1
Location
Time
Temperature °C
EMF
Shop
22:00
10.8
1 mG
Bottom of Entrance Stairs
22:34
12.8
1 mG
Top of Entrance Stairs
22:39
12.0
1 mG
Farm Labourers Cottage
22:18
22.5
1 mG
Tudor Entertainment
22:44
12.2
1 mG
Tudor Chemist
22:47
11.9
1 mG
Tudor Explorer
22:50
12.0
1 mG
Tudor Executioner
22:52
12.1
1 mG
Tudor Queen
22:54
12.2
1 mG
Tudor Dramatist
22:58
11.7
1 mG
Lucy's Chamber
23:00
11.5
1 mG
History:
The Falstaff’s Experience is situated in the heart of Stratford upon Avon and it is said to be the second most haunted building in Britain according to the Great British Ghost Hunt 2008. It is also known as the Shrieves House and is said to contain over 40 separate ghosts.
With almost 1000 years of history, the Shrieves House has been witness to the black plague, war, witchcraft, suicide and brutal murders.
The Shrieves house is said to be built upon 5 lay lines dating back to the 16th Century even though a property has stood on this exact spot since 1196. Its first known tenant was William Shrieve back in 1536 who was an archer to King Henry VIII. However many people believe that he was the King's most trusted assassin.
There have been several fires in Stratford. The 1594 fire burnt down much of one half of Stratford and the fire in 1595 burnt down much of the other side (high Street, Bridge Street and Sheep Street. The front of the Shrieve's building survived, which was built around 1470, however the rest of the property was extensively rebuilt. The 1595 cobblestones are therefore the oldest surviving in Stratford-Upon-Avon and on which William Shakespeare himself would have walked on his way to the Three Tunns Tavern.
In the 16th century the property was a tavern and the tavern keeper, William Rogers, who is said to have been some of the inspiration for Shakespeare's famous comic character Falstaff who appears in two of his plays. At this time the property would have consisted of not only the house but outhouses, a stable and a blacksmiths.
Also during this period a small cottage was attached to the end of the barn in what was referred to as 'the witch of Sheep Street's cottage' and is now known as the witch’s courtyard. The local coven still reveres this area and practices their ancient ceremonies here, particularly at Halloween.
There are a number of 'dominant' spirits said to be active in the property: an archer from the time of Henry VIII; a serial murderer from the 18th century (some people are calling 'Stratford Ripper'; a little girl who was a pickpocket in the tavern; a Catholic gentleman from the time of the reformation and a justice of the peace who used his power to run an extortion ring with threats, violence and trumped up charges.
There are also sightings of the parliamentary soldiers (although it is more common to experience their injuries); the victims of the serial murderer; children and animals.
During certain times of year a dark hooded figure with red glowing eyes, who is said to be a very ancient spirit, stands back and watches.
Although many towns and buildings have claimed to be "the most haunted in...", this building's long and turbulent history and a number of vortexes said to be sited on the second floor (through which a number of 'non-grounded' spirits are said to visit regularly), as well as paranormal activity reported to us on a daily basis, it is understandable that the Shrieve's House has been given the reputation as being "...the most haunted building in England".
With cobbled court yards, hidden Priest Holes and Secret Chambers this Location is steeped in history and not one for the faint hearted……..
The Ghostfinder Paranormal Society previously carried out a full paranormal investigation at this location for the Unexplained Channel and obtained some of our most amazing evidence to date.
