It is probably fair to say that, since our visit to Orford
Castle back in August 2015, the location has persisted in keeping us busy over
the ensuing days, weeks and months.
Castle back in August 2015, the location has persisted in keeping us busy over
the ensuing days, weeks and months.
 |
| Orford Castle Keep , from the car park |
Unlike previous locations that have proved to be of
interest to us,
Laura had genuinely appeared to connect with the Keep and has continued
to pick up new pieces of information, relating to both the building itself and
those connected to it, to the extent that we’ve now both reached the point,
after several months, where we are exhausted and just wish that we’d simply
experienced a straight forward trip to the Castle back in August.
One of the more interesting aspects of this case is that
Laura is receiving information relating to the very structure of the Keep
itself, not just the individual linked to it. This could be down to the occult
symbolism employed in its build, or perhaps the atmosphere of the Castle
itself.
Laura is receiving information relating to the very structure of the Keep
itself, not just the individual linked to it. This could be down to the occult
symbolism employed in its build, or perhaps the atmosphere of the Castle
itself.
So whilst we now have a multitude of leads and notes to
follow up upon, we thought it was time that we provide another update to where
we are at, especially in respect to the body of the young woman that Laura
sensed in the Well Room and even a further discovery, possibly relating to the
structure of the building.
follow up upon, we thought it was time that we provide another update to where
we are at, especially in respect to the body of the young woman that Laura
sensed in the Well Room and even a further discovery, possibly relating to the
structure of the building.
As you may recall, Laura picked up on at least two
females during our visit in August, who we suspect could actually be one and
the same person – the frightened female in the passage from the chapel to the
Chaplain’s Room and, the body of the young woman apparently concealed in one of
the side chambers in the Well Room, in the basement of the Keep.
females during our visit in August, who we suspect could actually be one and
the same person – the frightened female in the passage from the chapel to the
Chaplain’s Room and, the body of the young woman apparently concealed in one of
the side chambers in the Well Room, in the basement of the Keep.
A Doorway and a
death…….
death…….
A couple of weeks following our original visit, Laura
started to get information relating to a doorway providing an exit / entrance
to the basement level of the Keep.
started to get information relating to a doorway providing an exit / entrance
to the basement level of the Keep.
Laura was receiving visualisations of standing in front
of a doorway / exit to the outside whilst standing in the basement of the keep.
of a doorway / exit to the outside whilst standing in the basement of the keep.
At the same time, Laura was also receiving information as
to how the girl’s body came to be concealed in the well room – she had been
thrown by two males from the keep, above the entrance, then her body taken
directly from the outside, into the Well Room, where her body was concealed in
one of the side chambers.
to how the girl’s body came to be concealed in the well room – she had been
thrown by two males from the keep, above the entrance, then her body taken
directly from the outside, into the Well Room, where her body was concealed in
one of the side chambers.
The following is an extract from Laura’s own notes from
what she was picking up:
what she was picking up:
Man, dark suit type clothing. Female, mid
brown hair, 20’s.
brown hair, 20’s.
Arguing, upper floor, above main entrance
hall.
hall.
She falls, 2 men take body well room.
When I questioned her further about the information that
she was receiving, Laura advised that the men had taken the woman’s body to the
Well Room in the basement, without going via the main entrance – they took the
body in directly from the outside, from ground level.
she was receiving, Laura advised that the men had taken the woman’s body to the
Well Room in the basement, without going via the main entrance – they took the
body in directly from the outside, from ground level.
Initially I
dismissed this as, being familiar with the layout of the Castle, I knew that
there were only two access points – the main stairs from the lower hall or via
the trap door in the floor of the shop as you enter the Keep.
dismissed this as, being familiar with the layout of the Castle, I knew that
there were only two access points – the main stairs from the lower hall or via
the trap door in the floor of the shop as you enter the Keep.
Whilst I still had
my doubts about the second access point to the Keep, the information regarding
the concealment of the body was feasible – you were able to access the roof of
the chapel (via the stairwell at the Upper Hall level), which was directly above
the main entrance.
my doubts about the second access point to the Keep, the information regarding
the concealment of the body was feasible – you were able to access the roof of
the chapel (via the stairwell at the Upper Hall level), which was directly above
the main entrance.
However, the
possibility of a direct exit to the basement level of the Keep
seemed very remote, indeed, so we decided to keep an open mind
and re-examine the structure of the building.
possibility of a direct exit to the basement level of the Keep
seemed very remote, indeed, so we decided to keep an open mind
and re-examine the structure of the building.
The Basement Level
In addition to the
two access points directly into this level, the Well Room
itself also had three narrow windows, that had been widened slightly
from their original construction at an unknown later date (1), with the light
being directed down shafts into the basement to alleviate the
gloom, but nothing else.
two access points directly into this level, the Well Room
itself also had three narrow windows, that had been widened slightly
from their original construction at an unknown later date (1), with the light
being directed down shafts into the basement to alleviate the
gloom, but nothing else.
 |
| The central window in the Well Room |
Was it possible to
get a body through one of these openings and drop it down to the basement
below? We needed to find out.
Using reference
books and photographs that we’d taken previously, I attempted to
establish the size of the openings.
books and photographs that we’d taken previously, I attempted to
establish the size of the openings.
Whilst I accepted
that it wasn’t an exact science, after some careful consideration I came
to the conclusion that it would indeed be possible, especially
when taking into account the average size of people centuries ago and
indeed young females.
that it wasn’t an exact science, after some careful consideration I came
to the conclusion that it would indeed be possible, especially
when taking into account the average size of people centuries ago and
indeed young females.
However, there was
no way of being confident for sure without a visit
no way of being confident for sure without a visit
As previously referred
to above, Laura had also started to pick up
information relating to a doorway or tunnel in the basement, to the
outside, so how, if at all, did this fit into the scheme of things?
to above, Laura had also started to pick up
information relating to a doorway or tunnel in the basement, to the
outside, so how, if at all, did this fit into the scheme of things?
I discussed my
theory as to how the young woman’s body could have been placed in the
basement, via the windows, but Laura wasn’t entirely sure that this was
correct.
theory as to how the young woman’s body could have been placed in the
basement, via the windows, but Laura wasn’t entirely sure that this was
correct.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t
sensed how the body had entered the Well Room, simply just that
it had and, what she had picked up relating to the doorway or tunnel in the
basement could be entirely separate and not connected to the death of the
young woman.
sensed how the body had entered the Well Room, simply just that
it had and, what she had picked up relating to the doorway or tunnel in the
basement could be entirely separate and not connected to the death of the
young woman.
Things were getting
very complicated. The need for another visit had become even more
pressing.
very complicated. The need for another visit had become even more
pressing.
Making plans
Around about this
time, we were due to meet up with our friends, Aitch and Jason, who
lived some distance away and, conveniently, Orford Castle involved the
same drive for both parties.
time, we were due to meet up with our friends, Aitch and Jason, who
lived some distance away and, conveniently, Orford Castle involved the
same drive for both parties.
We therefore
discussed the situation with Aitch and Jason and all decided that
Orford would be a good location for us all to meet up.
discussed the situation with Aitch and Jason and all decided that
Orford would be a good location for us all to meet up.
With the winter
season approaching and opening times being reduced, we quickly agreed a date,
in a couple of week’s time.
season approaching and opening times being reduced, we quickly agreed a date,
in a couple of week’s time.
The drive to the
Castle proved uneventful. Thankfully, the weather was dry, unlike our previous
visit, which would allow us to inspect the exterior of the building in less
challenging conditions.
Castle proved uneventful. Thankfully, the weather was dry, unlike our previous
visit, which would allow us to inspect the exterior of the building in less
challenging conditions.
Pulling into the car
park, we found that we were the first to arrive.
park, we found that we were the first to arrive.
The search begins
Whilst we were
waiting for Aitch and Jason, we decided to inspect the exterior of
the Castle. This would allow us to also keep an eye out on the car park for our
friend’s arrival.
waiting for Aitch and Jason, we decided to inspect the exterior of
the Castle. This would allow us to also keep an eye out on the car park for our
friend’s arrival.
We walked around the
outside of the Keep, trying to find any traces of a doorway. However, as I
had suspected, there were none.
outside of the Keep, trying to find any traces of a doorway. However, as I
had suspected, there were none.
Disappointing, but
it only reflected what was known about the Castle.
it only reflected what was known about the Castle.
However, we also inspected
the windows, with their accompanying shafts that led down into the basement
and found that it would indeed be possible to pass a body of a petite person
through the openings and drop it down to the Well Room below.
the windows, with their accompanying shafts that led down into the basement
and found that it would indeed be possible to pass a body of a petite person
through the openings and drop it down to the Well Room below.
 |
| Window to Well Room – outside view |
Had we found the evidence to support what Laura had picked up relating to the death and
subsequent movement of the young woman’s body to one of the side
chambers in the Well Room?
It definitely didn’t
rule it out.
rule it out.
However, Laura was
still adamant that the windows were not the doorway or tunnel that she had visualised, although it was possible that it was the method that the men had adopted to move the girl’s body down into the basement.
still adamant that the windows were not the doorway or tunnel that she had visualised, although it was possible that it was the method that the men had adopted to move the girl’s body down into the basement.
Hopefully our
inspection of the inside would reveal something.
inspection of the inside would reveal something.
It was at this point
that Aitch and Jason pulled into the car park, which provided a
suitable break to proceedings.
that Aitch and Jason pulled into the car park, which provided a
suitable break to proceedings.
We returned to the
car to greet our friends and, after exchanging pleasantries, made
our way back up the path to visit the Keep itself.
With no planned
agenda, we initially visited the location of Laura’s previous discovery, the petroglyph,
or hand print (EH verifies Petroglyph) and, at this point separated, allowing Laura some time to inspect
the various areas of the Castle on her own, to see if she could pick anything
else up.
The Upper Hall
Our first port of call was the Upper Hall, where Laura had stated that the man had the argument with the young woman had started.
If Laura was correct, I was looking for ‘exit’ where the woman was pushed, or fallen out of the Keep to the ground below, beneath the entrance to the Keep. The most obvious places to me were the windows, but these were not above the entrance.
However, just before you entered the Upper Hall, on the staircase, there were a set of french windows to an outside battlement. The windows were locked, so I could not inspect the battlement more closely, but I could see that the battlement was in fact the roof of the chapel, which was directly above the entrance to the Keep. Again, Laura’s information appeared to be correct.
The Well Room
 |
| Laura examines the former entrance to the garderobes, now blocked, where she’d previously discovered the handprint |
The rest of us, after
touring the Keep, spent some time re-examining some of the side
rooms, where eventually, more by accident than design, I finally found
myself alone in the Well Room.
I spent some
time taking photographs of the basement and especially chamber where Laura
had originally picked up upon on the body of the young woman.
time taking photographs of the basement and especially chamber where Laura
had originally picked up upon on the body of the young woman.
I found that the long
shafts leading up to the windows were spread fairly evenly on the north side of
the basement, two either side of the chambers and the third situated between
the chambers, separating them.
shafts leading up to the windows were spread fairly evenly on the north side of
the basement, two either side of the chambers and the third situated between
the chambers, separating them.
It would have been a
simple matter for one of the men to push the girl’s body through one
of the windows and down the shaft to his partner in crime below.
Waiting down in the
Well room, it would have been a relatively quick and easy task to drag the body
a couple of feet to the rear of the adjacent chamber, to where Laura had sensed
it had finally been concealed.
Well room, it would have been a relatively quick and easy task to drag the body
a couple of feet to the rear of the adjacent chamber, to where Laura had sensed
it had finally been concealed.
 |
| A close up of the shaft leading up to a window in the Well Room |
Satisfied, I now turned
my attention to the small matter of the doorway that Laura had picked up
previously. I spent some time carefully examining the exterior walls of the
Well Room, but to no avail.
No matter how hard I
studied the walls of the circular basement, there was absolutely no trace of
any former doorway to the outside world.
studied the walls of the circular basement, there was absolutely no trace of
any former doorway to the outside world.
Defeat?
Once again disappointed,
but not entirely surprised by the lack of supporting evidence for a former
doorway, I made my way back up the stone steps to the Lower Hall, where I rejoined
the others who had been waiting for me.
but not entirely surprised by the lack of supporting evidence for a former
doorway, I made my way back up the stone steps to the Lower Hall, where I rejoined
the others who had been waiting for me.
Spotting Laura, I
went straight over to her and confirmed that my search for any
traces of a former doorway or tunnel had drawn a blank.
went straight over to her and confirmed that my search for any
traces of a former doorway or tunnel had drawn a blank.
Laura acknowledged
what I’d told her, but stubbornly insisted that there had been a
doorway or tunnel to the outside in the basement level – it wasn’t
the windows, it was definitely an opening.
what I’d told her, but stubbornly insisted that there had been a
doorway or tunnel to the outside in the basement level – it wasn’t
the windows, it was definitely an opening.
She explained once
again that she had visualised it, open in front of her, letting the bright
sunlight into the dark interior of the Keep.
again that she had visualised it, open in front of her, letting the bright
sunlight into the dark interior of the Keep.
By now, we had
all completed our exploration of the Castle, so we decided to take
our leave and find a suitable place locally to eat.
all completed our exploration of the Castle, so we decided to take
our leave and find a suitable place locally to eat.
Making our way out of
the building and down the steps from the Keep, Laura decided to have a look in
the gift shop in the reception area, so the rest of us assembled on
the grassed area at the foot of the stairs and waited for Laura to
exit, which she soon did.
the building and down the steps from the Keep, Laura decided to have a look in
the gift shop in the reception area, so the rest of us assembled on
the grassed area at the foot of the stairs and waited for Laura to
exit, which she soon did.
Looking back at
Laura as she descended the stairs, I suddenly spotted something……
Laura as she descended the stairs, I suddenly spotted something……
A Discovery?
Directly beneath the
stairs I noticed a course of brickwork distinctly different to the
surrounding stonework. Approximately five feet from the ground was a short
row of bricks, horizontal, in the shape of an archway.
stairs I noticed a course of brickwork distinctly different to the
surrounding stonework. Approximately five feet from the ground was a short
row of bricks, horizontal, in the shape of an archway.
 |
| The mysterious course of brickwork beneath the entrance to the Keep – did they indicate another entrance to the building, now erased from history? |
Was it possible that
we finally had our doorway? I pointed the brickwork out to
the others, who all confirmed that I wasn’t seeing things. I wasn’t going mad.
Not yet anyway.
I took some
pictures of the course work for further study and
then we all made our way back to our cars.
pictures of the course work for further study and
then we all made our way back to our cars.
It was
lunchtime.
lunchtime.
Clearly our visit
had given us more than one type of food for thought.
had given us more than one type of food for thought.
Further research
Over the following
weeks, we put our efforts into researching the physical aspect of the Keep –
both its build and subsequent modifications to its structure over the course of
history.
weeks, we put our efforts into researching the physical aspect of the Keep –
both its build and subsequent modifications to its structure over the course of
history.
Had there been a
direct, exterior entrance to the basement of the Keep? If there had, when
was it built and when and why had it been bricked up?
direct, exterior entrance to the basement of the Keep? If there had, when
was it built and when and why had it been bricked up?
Despite our
extensive search, we could find absolutely nothing, it seemed that there was no
mention of the doorway documented in the reference works that we had
relating to the Castle.
extensive search, we could find absolutely nothing, it seemed that there was no
mention of the doorway documented in the reference works that we had
relating to the Castle.
Disappointingly, our
research had drawn a blank.
research had drawn a blank.
Deciding to take a
different tack, we examined what we had established from our research.
different tack, we examined what we had established from our research.
What did we know?
The staircase to the
Keep entrance today is relatively modern in the context of the location as a
whole, with most scholars suggesting a Napoleonic date, 1799 to 1815.
Keep entrance today is relatively modern in the context of the location as a
whole, with most scholars suggesting a Napoleonic date, 1799 to 1815.
It is thought that the
original stairs followed a similar line to the same entrance we see today,
albeit modified, but with a break between the staircase and doorway, where a
drawbridge was installed to afford greater protection to the Keep’s inhabitants
in times of danger (2).
original stairs followed a similar line to the same entrance we see today,
albeit modified, but with a break between the staircase and doorway, where a
drawbridge was installed to afford greater protection to the Keep’s inhabitants
in times of danger (2).
If this was correct,
this would mean that, as the possible doorway we found was directly below the
entrance, that if it existed, it could have been concealed by the staircase
and hidden from general view.
this would mean that, as the possible doorway we found was directly below the
entrance, that if it existed, it could have been concealed by the staircase
and hidden from general view.
Things were
getting Interesting.
getting Interesting.
Going with the
possibility that the door had actually existed, where exactly was it in
relation to the interior of the basement?
possibility that the door had actually existed, where exactly was it in
relation to the interior of the basement?
As we’ve
mentioned previously, the basement was and still is, split into
two areas, the Well Room and the dungeon.
mentioned previously, the basement was and still is, split into
two areas, the Well Room and the dungeon.
The Well Room was on
the opposite side of the Keep to where our possible door was, on the eastern
side of the building, which explained why I couldn’t find any trace of a doorway
in that area, despite an extensive search.
the opposite side of the Keep to where our possible door was, on the eastern
side of the building, which explained why I couldn’t find any trace of a doorway
in that area, despite an extensive search.
Looking at
the general floor plans, the suggested doorway would appear
to be linked to the dungeon area, but where to
exactly?
the general floor plans, the suggested doorway would appear
to be linked to the dungeon area, but where to
exactly?
 |
| The position of the possible doorway, indicated by the ‘X’ in the lower diagram |
Pulling out our copy
of Orford Castle (R. Allen Brown 1964), which helpfully included clear copies
of the floor plan of the Keep and, comparing it with the photographs that we’d
taken on site, we could see that the doorway would have been at the narrowest
part of the basement walls, where the cistern to the dungeon was located – even
more interesting.
I have been
privileged in the past to clamber down through the trapdoor and down the
ladder to explore the dungeon area several years ago, but,
unfortunately, I took no photographs and my memory of the Prison was
sketchy as to the details.
With only the plans
to go by, we could see that the dungeon consisted of two parts – the main
cell and a separate chamber for the toilet. This was where, in the 12th
Century, in the early days of the Castle, the Wild Man of Orford was held,
until he made good his escape after several months of captivity (3). Allegedly.
to go by, we could see that the dungeon consisted of two parts – the main
cell and a separate chamber for the toilet. This was where, in the 12th
Century, in the early days of the Castle, the Wild Man of Orford was held,
until he made good his escape after several months of captivity (3). Allegedly.
Looking at the floor plan to the basement more closely, I could see that on the opposite side of the wall to where we calculated the door was, there was an indentation shown on the plan. Was this another indication of the former doorway?
Only time will tell,
Summing up….
Unfortunately, despite
spending a considerable time searching, we have not, to date, been able to locate
any photographs of this area that would reveal any evidence for the doorway
from an internal perspective, so, after exhausting our research, we can only
summarise as follows:
spending a considerable time searching, we have not, to date, been able to locate
any photographs of this area that would reveal any evidence for the doorway
from an internal perspective, so, after exhausting our research, we can only
summarise as follows:
• Laura received
information relating to the death of a young woman and the concealment of her
body.
information relating to the death of a young woman and the concealment of her
body.
• By visiting the
Castle we were able to validate that Laura’s
information relating to this was plausible, dispute our initial
scepticism that the layout of the Keep allowed the event to happen as she
described.
Castle we were able to validate that Laura’s
information relating to this was plausible, dispute our initial
scepticism that the layout of the Keep allowed the event to happen as she
described.
• Laura received
information via visualisation that there was a doorway or tunnel
directly to the outside from the basement level.
information via visualisation that there was a doorway or tunnel
directly to the outside from the basement level.
• We have been
unable to find any documented evidence of such a doorway ever existing.
unable to find any documented evidence of such a doorway ever existing.
• A site visit
revealed the possible traces of a doorway, located directly beneath the main
entrance to the Keep.
revealed the possible traces of a doorway, located directly beneath the main
entrance to the Keep.
• When the Castle
was fully operation 900 years ago, this doorway could have been concealed by
the tower that was originally used to access the Keep.
was fully operation 900 years ago, this doorway could have been concealed by
the tower that was originally used to access the Keep.
• The
doorway would have been located at the thinnest part of the basement
walls, which was only a couple of feet thick at this point
doorway would have been located at the thinnest part of the basement
walls, which was only a couple of feet thick at this point
Where are we now?
Needless to say, we
cannot progress on this lead any further at this point. We have made enquiries
to English Heritage, but sadly, to date, they remain silent on
the matter.
cannot progress on this lead any further at this point. We have made enquiries
to English Heritage, but sadly, to date, they remain silent on
the matter.
Whilst we are not
proposing that we have found a former unrecorded entrance to the Keep, our
research once again has not revealed anything that would enable us to dismiss
what Laura has sensed psychically.
proposing that we have found a former unrecorded entrance to the Keep, our
research once again has not revealed anything that would enable us to dismiss
what Laura has sensed psychically.
If we are eventually able
to establish that Laura is indeed correct, then the discovery of a former
entrance would again be a remarkable discovery, following on from Laura’s
rediscovery of the hand print back in August 2015.
to establish that Laura is indeed correct, then the discovery of a former
entrance would again be a remarkable discovery, following on from Laura’s
rediscovery of the hand print back in August 2015.
For now, our
research continues, with Laura continuing to pick up information related to the
Castle. Information relating to people that we’ve found had lived, as well as
events that had occurred in the Keep. Perhaps one day, once we have made
sense of it all, we will write further about our research connected to Orford
Castle, but it will be a very long article.
research continues, with Laura continuing to pick up information related to the
Castle. Information relating to people that we’ve found had lived, as well as
events that had occurred in the Keep. Perhaps one day, once we have made
sense of it all, we will write further about our research connected to Orford
Castle, but it will be a very long article.
To close this
chapter, all we can do is ask you to read what we’ve
written about our experiences and hope that you have found it a
worthwhile read.
chapter, all we can do is ask you to read what we’ve
written about our experiences and hope that you have found it a
worthwhile read.
We would welcome any
correspondence relating to Orford Castle Keep, especially that relating to the
build and structure of the Keep itself and look forward to
learning more about this historic Castle.
correspondence relating to Orford Castle Keep, especially that relating to the
build and structure of the Keep itself and look forward to
learning more about this historic Castle.
Sources:
1. P.16 Orford Castle – R. Allen Brown, 1964
2. P.17 Orford Castle – R. Allen Brown, 1964
3. Chronicon Anglicanum – Ralph of Coggeshall, 1200
1. P.16 Orford Castle – R. Allen Brown, 1964
2. P.17 Orford Castle – R. Allen Brown, 1964
3. Chronicon Anglicanum – Ralph of Coggeshall, 1200
Laura and Mark
Part one of this feature can be viewed at: Orford Castle – Part One
Part two of this feature can be viewed at: Orford Castle – Part Two
