Читать книгу Haunted Britain and Ireland: Over 100 of the Scariest Places to Visit in the UK and Ireland - Derek Acorah - Страница 24

Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658), Lord Protector of Great Britain, was born on 25 April 1599 at Huntingdon, the son of a country gentleman. After his marriage in London in 1620 he and his family lived first in Huntingdon and then in St Ives before moving to Ely in 1636.

The house was originally built in the thirteenth century. Between 1843 and 1869 it was an inn, the Cromwell Arms, and it is now a historic house dedicated to Cromwell.

Cromwell led the New Model Army to victory against the Royalists in the Civil War, then the Irish in 1649 and the Scots and Charles II in 1651. After dissolving the ‘Rump Parliament’ in 1653, he became Lord Protector. He was offered the crown in 1657, but refused it.

Although Cromwell died in London and his ghost is said to haunt Red Lion Square (see page 76), it may still return to his old home in Ely. There have been many paranormal events at the house. In 1998 a guide at the Tourist Information Centre was there when he felt a draught around his feet and realized his shoelaces were undone. In itself that wasn’t particularly unusual, but every time he retied them, it happened again.

In 1979 a couple spent the night in what is now known as the haunted bedroom. During the night, the woman woke up and seemed to be in the same room but at a different time. She realized the doorway was in a different place. Then she felt her arm gripped by a large powerful man, who seemed distracted and was muttering to himself. The vision faded, but when she found herself back in her own time, the marks on her arm were still visible.

In 2003 the Cambridge Paranormal Group carried out two investigations at the house and picked up impressions of several spirits.

Oliver Cromwell’s House, 29 St Mary’s Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4HF: Tel: (01353) 662062. Open daily all year, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

There are videos, exhibitions and period rooms, with costumes and helmets to try on, and a gift shop. The House is also home to Ely’s Tourist Information Centre.