Longueville Manor

 

One of the most beautiful hotels on the island, Longville manor has a dark story in its history. In the 16th century, the Lord of Longueville Manor was known for his cruelty. Some sources name him Hostes Nicolle and the cold man had a long-running feud with a neighbour.

On 11th June 1564, the lord killed his neighbor and, as the man lay dying, he swore vengeance upon the lord. The lord was driven mad. Now every year on the 11th of June, the hooves of spectral horses, driven by the murdered man accompanied by death, are heard galloping towards the manor at breakneck speed. They have come to claim the soul of the lord and drag him to hell. The maniacal laughter of the evil lord is heard as the horses race away, back down to hell.

The ghostly manifestation appears every year, dragging the lord to hell as vengeance for the violent murder.

Ghost Hill

 

   Following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in October 1685, which ordered the destruction of Huguenot Churches and the closing of Huguenot Schools in France, it is estimated that as many as 900,000 French Calvinists fled their homeland. 

The Huguenots were skilled craftsmen, and were noted for silversmithing, cabinet making, and watchmaking, among other things. Because of these talents, they were usually well off, although they did have to leave much of their wealth behind when they left France.

For many Huguenots, Jersey appeared to be an ideal bolt hole – it was close at hand and the population spoke French. Consequently, St.Aubin became their first landfall after leaving France.

Just a short distance up Mount Arthur lived a man who seemed particularly welcoming to these poor refugees. He would wait at the quayside, ready to meet the boats crowded with Huguenots, who were desperately searching for a new life where they could pursue their religion without fear.

At the quay, he would welcome them warmly, saying that he thought that they were being treated very badly in France and that he agreed with their beliefs. He would say that they must have had an arduous journey and how tired they must be, and he would offer them a meal and a place to rest for the night, saying that they could find somewhere more permanent the following day.

They were exhausted after the sea voyage and, thinking they had found an ally sent by God, gratefully took up his offer. At his home, he gave them food and drink and looked after them in a very generous way. After having eaten, they retired to bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

After an hour or so, when he felt confident that they were lost in their dreams, their host crept in and cut their throats, and stole their belongings.

The terrified screams of his victims rang out the length of Mount Arthur, putting the fear of God into his neighbours. Even when this monster died, the screams continued to echo around the area. When the ‘House of Death’, as it was known, was pulled down, some said the screams stopped, when another house was built on the site the screams started again until that house was also demolished. It is believed by some, however, that even the destruction of the houses was not enough to give the victims the rest they deserved. Unnerving screams of anguish are still heard carried by the wind and ghostly, bloodstained apparitions have been seen wandering the hill. Poor souls are condemned to wander there forever.

Gorey Castle

 

Mont Orguiel Castle, called Gorey Castle by locals, overlooks the harbour of Gorey in St Martin, Jersey.  It, like many castles, is steeped in history.  Mont Orguiel is French for "Mount Pride" and was under French occupation in the late middle ages. The site of a prominent fort since the iron age, the castle itself was built in 1204 and was the primary defence of Jersey for over 400 years. It underwent extensive renovations in the mid-1500s and was Jersey's only prison until the late 17th century. As a castle with a long history, it boasts some ghosts.

  With numerous sieges and countless often violent deaths witnessed by the castle, wispy apparitions and disembodied voices screaming out have been reported by many visitors. The famous story however is about a doomed bride and groom. Not quite as tragic as the ghostly bridal procession of Waterworks Valley it is still a sad story.

  The son of the castle's guardian fell in love with a young woman, a young woman far below him in social status. As such, the guardian forbade his son from making such a disadvantageous marriage. However, the son defied his father and married the young woman. When the father discovered this he was so enraged by his son's disobedience that he murdered the couple as they slept. Today the shadows of the young couple are often seen at the place they were wed. 

A castle with as gory a history as its name.