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Drummer of Tedworth
After magistrate John Mompesson confiscated a vagrant drummer's drum, his house was plagued by drumming sounds, objects moving, and children levitating from their beds. The case was investigated by the Royal Society and became the first extensively documented poltergeist case in English history.
1661
Tedworth, Wiltshire, England
20+ witnesses
England’s first documented poltergeist case.
The Beginning
March 1661:
- John Mompesson, magistrate
- Arrested vagrant drummer
- William Drury
- Confiscated his drum
- Brought drum home
The Disturbances
What happened:
- Drumming sounds
- Every night
- Scratching noises
- Objects moved
- Children’s beds shook
The Children
Targeted:
- Lifted from beds
- Levitated
- Objects thrown at them
- Voices heard
- Most activity around them
The Investigation
Who came:
- Royal Society member
- Joseph Glanvill
- Multiple visits
- Witnessed phenomena
- Published account
The Drummer
William Drury:
- Blamed for curse
- Imprisoned for theft
- Claimed responsibility
- From prison
- Later escaped
The Legacy
Historical impact:
- First documented case
- Royal Society involved
- Published 1668
- Influenced future study
- Set template for investigation