East Harlsey, North Yorkshire 1398

“Some say their suffering and devotion have left an indelible imprint on the land, and that the spirits of those long-forgotten holy men still walk the ruins, unable to move on.” - The Truth Behind the Haunting

We’re donning our Ghostbuster backpacks today and taking a look at the supposed ghouls haunting the ever so beautiful Mount Grace Priory.

Serving as a monastery in the parish of East Harlsey just North East of Northallerton, Mount Grace Priory has a wealth of history behind it. Founded in 1398 by the Carthusian order, these monks, dedicated to living in solitude and silence, set up home in its walls. This peaceful existence continued until its dissolution during the Reformation, and the ruins are now considered, by some, as one of England’s most haunted religious sites. But who is dwelling in its crumbling walls?

Carthusian monks, differing from other monastic orders, lived in utter isolation, every resident of Mount Grace Priory occupying individual cells and only holding very brief communal gatherings. Instead, they dedicated their hours to prayer, fasting, and more prayer. King Henry VIII completely shattered this silence by ordering the destruction of all monasteries. Could this disruption to their religious devotion have caused the Carthusian monks to linger on the grounds of Mount Grace Priory, angry at being torn from their solitude?

Shadow Monk

The most reported sighting at Mount Grace Priory is the shadow of a hooded monk (are we surprised? I’m not surprised). Many have claimed to see a dark figure drifting through the old corridors in the ruins, quickly disappearing when approached. Mostly sighted near the ruined chapel and cloisters, legends say he is continuing to carry out his monastic duties in the afterlife.

Unexplainable Footsteps

Visitors to the Priory often hear disembodied footsteps echoing through the ruins, predominantly heard in the monks’ cells. Could these footsteps belong to the aforementioned shadow monk, devotedly continuing his duties and prayers? These footsteps are sometimes paired with a feeling of a presence behind visitors…

Weeping Woman

Another spirit linked to Mount Grace Priory is the ‘Weeping Woman’. Seen dressed in medieval attire and forlornly traversing the ruins seemingly crying, the legend goes that this was a noblewoman who once sought refuge at the priory. Legends have sprung from her presence at the ruins, many believing she was in love with one of the Carthusian monks… which, of course, was entirely forbidden. Her wails and cries of anguish have been heard by both visitors and staff of the ruins.

Mount Grace Priory Curse

Ghosts aside, the ruins are supposedly in the clutches of a curse. Placed upon the building after the monks were expelled and the monastery dissolved, supposedly those who disrespect the ruins or mock the ghouls residing there go on to experience extremely bad luck or unsettling nightmares. The injustice of the monks being torn from their place of silence and solitude would warrant a curse, I think. A few pesky ghost hunters have reported unusual occurrences at home after visiting - objects moving on their own, hearing monastic chanting in the dead of night…

Once a peaceful home to devout monks, Mount Grace Priory has sent chills up the spines of many visitors. Have you experienced anything strange whilst visiting these ruins?