Thorpe Hall
Thorpe Hall, on the edge of the Louth Borough boundary, is one of several places in England that has become associated with the story of ‘The Spanish Lady’s Love’, which tells of a beautiful Spanish lady who falls in love with an Englishman. When he finally confesses that he is already married, the Spanish lady gallantly sends gifts to his wife, and herself enters a nunnery. A popular ballad on the subject by Thomas Deloney, printed in 1603 and probably based on an already existing tradition, excited interest in the identity of the unnamed Englishman, and the tale became attached to several different men who took part in the capture of Cadiz in 1596, including Sir John Bolle of Thorpe Hall, one of the Earl of Essex’s captains in the campaign.
It was said that, when Sir John departed Cadiz, the Spanish Lady sent as presents to his wife a great many jewels and other valuables, among which was her own portrait ‘done on green’ (wearing green), a beautiful tapestry bed embroidered in gold by her own hands, and several casks full of plate, money, and other treasures. Some of these things were said in 1810 to be still in the possession of the family, although the portrait had by some accident been disposed of about half a century before.
Meantime, the portrait had led to her being known as ‘the Green Lady’ in the neighbourhood, ‘where to this day there is a traditionary superstition among the vulgar, that Thorpe Hall was haunted by the green lady, who used nightly to take her seat in a particular tree near the mansion’. It was also believed that, during the life of Sir John’s son, Sir Charles Bolle, a knife and fork were always laid for her at table, if she chose to make an appearance.
Another tree-sitting ghost, the Wicked Lady of MARKYATE CELL, undoubtedly haunted her former home in Hertfordshire as an atonement for her crimes, but it is hard to see why the blameless and great-hearted Spanish Lady should be condemned to haunt Thorpe Hall or anywhere else. Probably the portrait generated the ghost story. Whatever the reason for her haunt, she is said to have been frequently heard, though not apparently seen, between 1860 and 1880.
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
Haunted England : The Penguin Book of Ghosts – Written by Jennifer Westwood and Jacqueline Simpson -Copyright © Jennifer Westwood and Jacqueline Simpson 2005, 2008
