Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Category: Mary Blandy

Folklore / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Usual Suspects

Mary Blandy’s Execution, Oxford

Mary Blandy was executed on 6 April 1752 for the muder of her father Francis Blandy in Henley on Thames. The location of Mary Blandy’s execution was either the Westgate prison mound or in the Castle Yard in Oxford, both of which are very close to each other.

Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Usual Suspects

Park Place, Remenham

Park Place is a Grade II listed building which in 2011 became the most expensive home sold in Britain with a huge £140m price tag. Dating from the early 18th century it is not surprising that there are also a few ghosts and legends attached to the site.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Poltergiests / Usual Suspects

Kenton Theatre, Henley on Thames

The Kenton Theatre in Henley on Thames dates from 7 November 1805 and is thought to be the fourth oldest working theatre in Great Britain. With a 234 seat capacity the theatre is small and run by a group of volunteers. It is also a location where haunting like activity has been reported.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Road Ghosts / Usual Suspects

Dolesden Lane, Turville

The apparition of a young woman is thought to haunt Dolesden Lane in Turville. According to the Luton Paranormal website ‘One witness was pushing his bicycle along the road when he saw someone approaching. It was a bright, moonlit night and he could clearly see that she was wearing old-fashioned clothes.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Occult Biographies / Usual Suspects

Mary Blandy

Mary Blandy (Born 1720) was executed on 6 April 1752 outside Oxford Castle for murdering her father, Francis Blandy at the request of her lover, Captain William Henry Cranstuon.  As with Mary Queen of Scots, Oliver Cromwell and several other famous ghosts, Miss Blandy reputedly haunts at numerous locations over several counties.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Usual Suspects

Town Hall, Henley on Thames

It has been suggested that the ghost of Mary Blandy was witnessed by a number of people at a re-enactment of her trial at the Henley Town Hall sometime prior to 1969. Her actual trial took place on 3 March 1752 at the Oxford Assizes held in the hall of the Divinity School.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Usual Suspects

Churchfield Wood, Turville

Churchfield Wood can be found North East of Turville Court and is thought to be haunted by Mary Blandy who was executed on 6 April 1752 for poisoning her father. Mary was known to have visited Turville Court, though not the current building which only dates from 1847.