The Ghosts of Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe, stands on a site of Christian worship dating to the 7th century. The cathedral houses the graves of Saxon kings and Jane Austen. Among its ancient stones, numerous ghosts have been reported.

The Cathedral

The present building was begun in 1079. Winchester was England’s capital before London, and the cathedral reflects its former importance. Kings were crowned and buried here. The cathedral nearly collapsed in the early 20th century before being rescued by diver William Walker.

The Monk

A Benedictine monk has been seen in the cloisters and nave. He walks in silence, apparently at prayer, before fading from view. The monks of the medieval priory attached to the cathedral seem to continue their devotions.

The Grey Lady

A woman in grey appears in the north aisle, near the grave of Jane Austen. Whether she is connected to the author or some other person buried in the cathedral is unknown. Her frequent appearances have made her the cathedral’s most reported ghost.

King William Rufus

William II, called Rufus, was buried in the cathedral in 1100 after his suspicious death in the New Forest. His ghost has been reported near his tomb. The tower above his grave collapsed shortly after his burial, which contemporaries attributed to divine judgment on a wicked king.

William Walker

The diver who saved the cathedral from collapse between 1906 and 1911 has allegedly been seen in the crypt he worked to preserve. He appears in diving gear, eternally working beneath the sacred building he rescued.

Assessment

Winchester Cathedral’s tremendous age and historical importance have created layers of spiritual presence. The monks, royals, and others who lived and died there continue to manifest among its Gothic arches.