The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall

The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall is one of the most famous ghosts in England, immortalized by a photograph taken in 1936 that remains one of the most debated paranormal images ever captured.

The Ghost

The Brown Lady is believed to be the spirit of Lady Dorothy Walpole, who died at Raynham Hall in 1726. Married to Charles Townshend, she was allegedly imprisoned in the hall after being accused of infidelity. She died there, possibly of smallpox, possibly by more sinister means.

Early Sightings

The ghost was first reported in 1835 when a Colonel Loftus saw a brown-clad woman in the corridor. He saw her again a week later and noted her face appeared to have no eyes, only dark hollows. A Captain Marryat later fired a pistol at the apparition, which passed through her.

The Photograph

In September 1936, photographers from Country Life magazine were documenting Raynham Hall. While photographing the main staircase, they captured what appears to be a translucent figure in a gown descending the stairs. The photograph was published in Country Life and later in Life magazine.

Analysis

The photograph has been examined by experts for decades. While some insist it is genuine, others argue it could be an accidental double exposure or deliberate fraud. The photographers maintained until their deaths that the image was authentic.

Assessment

Whether the photograph is genuine or not, the Brown Lady remains one of England’s most famous ghosts. Sightings at Raynham Hall have continued into the modern era, though none have matched the fame of the 1936 image.