Lichfield's Haunted History

Welcome to a haunting journey through the mystical and historical city of Lichfield, famous for its magnificent medieval three-spired Cathedral and as the birthplace of notable figures like Erasmus Darwin, Anna Seward, and Dr. Samuel Johnson. Join me as I uncover over 1000 years of tumultuous history, filled with fascinating stories and ghostly specters that continue to haunt this beautiful Staffordshire city. Discover the eerie legend behind Lichfield's name, once believed to mean "The field of dead bodies." Learn about the tale of the three slain kings, Borrow, Cope, and Hill, and the myth of the Cathedral built on their resting place. We visit: • Monks Walk and the sightings of a shadowy monk tending to his ancient herb garden. • The sad story of Elspeth, a young girl whose ghost is said to wander Bird Street after being trapped and dying in a sealed-off passage. • Langton House, once plagued by nightly screams and the site of an exorcism in the 1960s. • The King's Head, Lichfield’s oldest coaching inn, and meet its ghostly guests, including George the former licensee and a Cavalier soldier who smiles through his spectral wounds. I reflect on the terrifying history of public executions in the market square, including the burning at the stake of Edward Wightman in 1612. Lichfield is a city where the past is ever-present, and its streets are filled with whispers of history and mystery. Join me as we walk through time, exploring the fables and phantoms of this ancient city. 👻 Subscribe to Hidden Realms for more history, haunted places, folklore, and forgotten mysteries. ✨Want to support the channel and unlock exclusive content? Become a Hidden Realms channel member here:    / @hidden_realms   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:44 The Field of Dead Bodies - legendary origins of the name 02:37 Restless spirits of the Reformation; secret tunnels under the city? 05:03 Langton House - the exorcism 06:04 The ghosts of Bird Street: the King's Head, and the Laughing Cavalier 07:14 Lichfield and the Civil War 08:21 The Market Place - scene of horrific executions 09:39 Journey's end ==================================== Recommended reading Haunted England: The Penguin Book of Ghosts by Westwood & Simpson The Lore of the Land: A Guide to England's Legends by Westwood & Simpson The English Year by Steve Roud Credits: Some stock footage courtesy of videvo.net Photo credit: Inscription above where Lord Brooke was shot in Lichfield, March, 1643 - Ashlar plaque, Elliot Brown, via Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Original music composed by Stephen Anthony, Copyright © 2025, All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. https://stmusicuk.bandcamp.com/album/...