Border Ghost Stories

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27449

Title

Border Ghost Stories

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the rugged Northumbrian borderlands, this collection of ghost stories blends historical romance with supernatural folklore. Howard Pease weaves tales of haunted castles, Roman legions, and local legends, creating an atmospheric narrative that honors the literary tradition of Sir Walter Scott while exploring themes of guilt, loyalty, and the enduring power of the supernatural.

Summary up to 500 words

Howard Pease's *Border Ghost Stories* is a rich anthology of supernatural tales deeply rooted in the history, folklore, and geography of Northumbria. The collection oscillates between the rational investigations of antiquaries and the visceral fears of the common folk, capturing a gothic atmosphere where the past remains vividly present. The book opens with 'In the Blackfriars Wynd,' where a young apprentice investigates the mysterious death of his uncle's wife. Through a series of eerie occurrences and the discovery of hollow spaces in the walls, the apprentice uncovers a tragic tale of imprisonment, revealing that the deceased was not a woman but a young man, thus exposing a dark family secret. Another prominent narrative, 'In the Cliff Land of the Dane,' transports the reader to the Roman era. It follows the soldier Castus, who falls for Penchrysa, a proud British princess plotting a rebellion against Rome. Her proposal for him to lead a uprising and rule Britain together creates a crisis of conscience for Castus. Torn between his love and his duty to the Empire, he ultimately chooses Rome, stabbing his temptress and dedicating his life to the state, even as he is wounded by pursuing rebels. Pease grounds these narratives in real locations such as Seaton Delaval, Kirkby Stephen, and Tynemouth Priory. The stories feature a diverse cast of characters, including the vengeful spirit of 'Muckle-Mouthed Meg' haunting the moors, the haunted tomb of a Lord Warden, and the eerie presence of a peacock in the Vale of Mallerstang. Written with a preface dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the tales explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the enduring power of belief in ghosts and witches. Whether depicting the 'muckle Deil' or the silent whispers of the *genius loci*, Pease illustrates that in the border country, the land itself seems to whisper ancient secrets to the sympathetic imagination, ensuring that the ghost is born of the place itself, even if not always visibly present.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg27449.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Horror