Borley Rectory Poltergeist

Borley Rectory in Essex, England, was once called “the most haunted house in England.” The Victorian building was the site of intense poltergeist activity investigated by Harry Price, though the case remains mired in controversy.

The Building

Built in 1863 on the site of a medieval monastery, Borley Rectory was always reputedly haunted. Rectors and their families reported phenomena including bell-ringing, mysterious footsteps, and a phantom nun.

The Investigation

Harry Price began investigating in 1929 after media coverage of the latest rector’s experiences. He documented a wide range of phenomena: objects thrown, messages appearing on walls, strange sounds, and multiple apparitions.

The Messages

Most remarkably, messages began appearing on walls, apparently from a spirit named “Marie Lairre” who claimed to have been murdered and wanted her bones found. The messages pleaded for a mass to be said for her soul.

The Fire

In 1939, the rectory burned to the ground under mysterious circumstances. Excavations afterward found bones beneath the building, which some believed were Marie Lairre’s remains.

The Controversy

Subsequent investigations suggested Price may have fabricated or exaggerated some phenomena. Others defended his work. The debate continues among paranormal researchers.

Assessment

Borley Rectory remains one of the most controversial cases in British paranormal history. Whether Price was an honest investigator of genuine phenomena or a publicity seeker manipulating evidence, the rectory’s reputation as England’s most haunted house endures.