Delighted to welcome Helen back to the blog today to talk about a very different aspect of the past – the supernatural. She and her daughter Kathy have written a fascinating book about on that very subject. More below!
Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to historical detail, Helen might not see ghosts herself, but her nautical adventure series, and some of her short stories, skilfully blend the past with the supernatural, inviting readers to step into worlds where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur.
The Romans were an incredibly suspicious lot and like many ancient peoples were always calling up the spirits of the dead as well and the vast pantheon of gods and goddesses. So I asked Helen to tells us about this…
Did ghosts march with the Romans?
Whether you believe in ghosts or not is immaterial – belief in their presence has been around since very ancient times. They are mentioned in several ancient cultures, and the religions of Sumer, Babylon, Assyria, and other early Mesopotamian areas. Ghosts were – are – believed to be created at the time of death. They ‘pass’ to another world, where they are assessed, judged or appointed tasks. Some remain in that otherworld, others come back for various reasons. The surviving living were expected to place food, drink and useful goods within a burial chamber (of whatever sort) in order for the dead person to enjoy. The tomb of Tutankhamun as a good example.
The Hebrew Bible has several ghost references, although most are connected to occult activities. For instance, I Samuel 28:3–19 where King Saul commands the Witch of Endor to summon the ghost of Samuel. Christ returns from the dead as a Holy Spirit. And are angels a religious interpretation of ghosts?
Egyptian ideas of the afterlife evolved constantly through several thousand years of their history. However, the concept of a bandaged mummy coming back to life to create havoc is modern. (Thanks, Scooby Doo!)
The Odyssey and Iliad feature ghosts, often useful to the heroes for predicting prophecies, but by the 5thcentury BC Greek ghosts had plumped for haunting and frightening the living.
To the Romans, though, a ghost was useful for revenge against an enemy – scratch a curse on a stone or some pottery, place it on a grave and wait patiently for a satisfying result. (Also, on lead and chuck it in a sacred spring.)
The baths at Chaeronea were haunted by the ghost of a murdered man, according to Plutarch. Fed up with the ghost’s loud groans, the townsfolk eventually sealed up the place. There doesn’t seem to be any follow-up indication that their work stopped the noise. Except, as it was probably caused by faulty drains, disuse of the place may have resulted in success?
Pliny the Younger (c. 50 AD) described the haunting of a house in Athens, referring to the Stoic philosopher Athenodorus, who lived in the house at least 100 years before Pliny started writing. Athenodorus deliberately put his writing desk where the ghost was assumed to appear, and wrote until late at night… He was eventually disturbed by a chain-bound ghost.
Following the apparition outside, it pointed to a specific spot where Athenodorus later discovered a shackled skeleton. Giving the remains a proper burial the haunting ceased. A good story, or was Athenodorus a gifted medium?
Closer to modern day, though, was a report of Roman ghosts in York, England.
Back in 1953, an apprentice plumber, Harry Martindale, was working in the cellar of the Treasurer’s House. He looked up and saw a Roman soldier walking through the wall, followed by several other Roman soldiers. All were visible upward from just below the knee, so they were walking on a lower, hidden, level. Martindale gave a good description of their shields, short swords, green tunics and the laces of the (unseen) sandals – the lacing going up the leg to what little he could see of below the knee.
Treasurer’s House, York, 2023
Several who heard his tale disbelieved him, or put his account down to fantasy as his description did not tally with what was, then, known… BUT…
At a later excavation it was realised that the Treasurer’s House was, in fact, built above a Roman road, and new discoveries at Hadrian’s Wall proved that auxiliary troops in the 4th century carried round shields and laced their sandals up to their knees, just as Martindale had described.
I’m disappointed that there do not seem to be many Roman remains here in North Devon. There are quite a few in South Devon, mind you – Exeter in particular. Known as Isca Dumnoniorum, meaning water or river of the Dumnonii, the town was a busy trade port, and several small settlements have been unearthed nearby.
Romans crossed the River Taw at what is now Newland Mill, near North Tawton and established a succession of military camps there over the years. The Roman fort is believed to have been called Nemetostatio, ‘the road-station of the sacred groves’ (possibly) located on the site of an ancient druidic sanctuary. Strategically, it lay on the Roman road between Isca Dumnoniorum (Exeter) and Okehampton.
North Devon? Virtually nothing, though I cannot believe the Romans were not here along our coast. The two main rivers, the Taw and Torridge flow for miles from central Devon, with Barnstaple and Bideford (each only a few miles from the Bristol Channel) becoming exceedingly busy ports by the 17th century. I personally believe that Roman foundations would be found beneath the present Georgian buildings that dominate much of Barnstaple. But, of course, you can’t go knocking down old Georgian buildings to see what lies below them!
I haven’t heard of any Roman ghosts lingering in Barnstaple, so maybe it’s true? The Romans didn’t bother with our beautiful part of Britain.
(Sorry, Helen, I can’t find any trace either – Alison)
From the Ordnance Survey, Map of Roman Britain, 1956
About Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon
Everyone assumes that ghosts are hostile. Actually, most of them are not.
You either believe in ghosts or you don’t. It depends on whether you’ve encountered something supernatural or not. But when you share a home with several companionable spirits, or discover benign ghosts in public places who appear as real as any living person, scepticism is abandoned. In GHOST ENCOUNTERS: The Lingering Spirits Of North Devon, mother Helen Hollick and daughter Kathy Hollick share their personal experiences, dispelling the belief that spirits are to be feared.
Ghost Encounters will fascinate all who enjoy the beautiful region of rural South-West England, as well as interest those who wish to discover more about its history… and a few of its ghosts.
(Includes a bonus of two short stories and photographs connected to North Devon)
Pre-order the e-book on Amazon – https://mybook.to/GhostEncounters
Paperback published February 28th – e-book will also be available on Kindle Unlimited
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Connect with Helen and Kathy
Website: https://helenhollick.net/
Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick
Bluesky: @helenhollick.bsky.social
Blog: supporting authors & their books https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/
Kathy’s Official Website: https://www.white-owl.co.uk/
For additional (and any new ghost encounters!) visit: https://ghostencountersofdevon.blogspot.com/
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About Helen
Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to historical detail, Helen might not see ghosts herself, but her nautical adventure series, and some of her short stories, skilfully blend the past with the supernatural, inviting readers to step into worlds where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur.
Her historical fiction spans a variety of periods and her gift lies in her ability to bring historical figures and settings to life, creating an immersive experience that transports readers into the past. Her stories are as compelling as they are convincing.
Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was published in the UK with her Arthurian Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels about the events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings, one of which became a USA Today best-seller. She also writes the Jan Christopher cosy mystery series set during the 1970s, and based around her, sometimes hilarious, years of working as a North London library assistant.
Helen, husband Ron and daughter Kathy moved from London to Devon in January 2013 after a Lottery win on the opening night of the London Olympics, 2012. She spends her time glowering at the overgrown garden and orchard, fending off the geese, helping with the horses and, when she gets a moment, writing the next book…
About Kathy
When not encountering friendly ghosts, Kathy’s passion is horses and mental well-being. She started riding at the age of three, had a pony at thirteen, and discovered showjumping soon after. Kathy now runs her own Taw River Equine Events, and coaches riders of any age or experience, specialising in positive mindset and overcoming confidence issues via her Centre10 accreditation and Emotional Freedom Technique training to aid calm relaxation and promote gentle healing.
Kathy riding Lexie
Kathy lives with her farmer partner, Andrew, in their flat adjoining the main farmhouse. She regularly competes at affiliated British Showjumping, and rides side-saddle (‘aside’) when she has the opportunity. She produces her own horses, several from home-bred foals.
She also has a fun diploma in Dragons and Dragon Energy, which was something amusing to study during the Covid lockdown.
Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers – INCEPTIO, CARINA (novella), PERFIDITAS, SUCCESSIO, AURELIA, NEXUS (novella), INSURRECTIO and RETALIO, and ROMA NOVA EXTRA, a collection of short stories. Audiobooks are available for four of the series. Double Identity, a contemporary conspiracy, starts a new series of thrillers. JULIA PRIMA, Roma Nova story set in the late 4th century, starts the Foundation stories. The sequel, EXSILIUM, is now out.
Find out more about Roma Nova, its origins, stories and heroines and taste world the latest contemporary thriller Double Identity… Download ‘Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’, a FREE eBook, as a thank you gift when you sign up to Alison’s monthly email update. As a result, you’ll be among the first to know about news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways.
Thank you Alison!
And thank you for a fascinating post. It made me go and consult my OS Roman Map of Britain and look up some details.
Good luck with the book!