### 16th Century Curse Discovered at Gainsborough Old Hall

A volunteer tour guide has made an intriguing discovery at Gainsborough Old Hall, an ancient manor house in England's East Midlands with a storied history of ghost sightings. Rick Berry, who has been meticulously studying wall carvings in the manor for the past two years, recently unearthed an inscription that appears to curse a previous owner of the property.

The manor, over 500 years old, is known for its varied wall etchings from different historical periods. Among the graffiti, Berry uncovered old English and Latin scripts, and royal flourishes possibly dating back to Henry VIII's visit in 1541 with Catherine Howard. However, this particular carving stood out—a name etched upside down accompanied by a vulgar drawing, clearly intended as a curse. Berry explained that during the time, writing a name upside down was a significant act of defacement and corruption.

The curse inscription seemingly targets William Hickman, a merchant who took over the ownership from the Burgh family in 1596. Described as a "threadbare fellow," Hickman was highly unpopular among locals due to his tolls on river goods and land enclosures. While the effectiveness of the curse remains unknown, Berry noted the plaster's coloration suggested it was concealed, aligning with superstitions of the era that said curses needed to be hidden to work.

English Heritage, the charity preserving historic sites across England, has never before encountered such a curse inscription. They highlighted the find just in time for Halloween, calling it a "witches mark" and deeming Gainsborough Old Hall a strong contender for the "spookiest site of them all." Typically, they have only found protective marks meant to ward off bad luck or evil.

Berry began his research after noticing scorch marks in the hall, a natural curiosity for the retired firefighter. His findings indicated these burns, of which he spotted around 100, were deliberate protection measures against lightning and accidental fires. Additionally, he discovered hexafoils, daisy wheels, pentangles, and Marian marks—symbols used historically to trap demons and call on the Virgin Mary for protection.

The manor's tumultuous history includes ghost stories, with visitors often reporting sightings of "the Grey Lady," believed to be Elizabeth Burgh, who allegedly died of a broken heart after her father, Sir Thomas Burgh II, locked her away to prevent her elopement.

While Gainsborough Old Hall is well-known for its spooky reputation, Berry emphasizes its rich historical significance. Beyond the tales of ghosts and curses, the hall remains an enduring subject of fascination throughout the year.