Astonishing Legends

The Black Monk of Pontefract Part 1


Listen Later

The quote, "Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days" is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. We assume the esteemed Mr. Franklin was speaking only of human guests, but it could also apply to the subject of tonight's show. Because the uninvited guest of 30 East Drive in Pontefract, England would prove to be more than an annoying visitor oblivious to hints or uncaring that they'd overstayed their welcome, it would show itself as a threat to the family's safety and sanity. In the mid-1960s and 70s, the Pritchard family who lived at that address experienced a visitor who was not only unwelcome but unseen, a capricious prankster whose sense of humor was offset by its sometimes vicious and violent power. Human beings have an astounding ability to endure hardships they are powerless against and eventually, this poltergeist presence came to be somewhat accepted, with the mother of the family, Jean, giving it the nickname "Fred." But what was this force in supernatural terms? Was Fred merely poltergeist energy in the general definition, a collective of entities, a demon, or the vengeful spirit of a condemned man? A local legend that a 16th century Cluniac Monk was tried and executed for a horrific crime on those grounds is the source for that last idea. Some have seen a dark, shadowy figure wearing a black monk's robe around the property and it has reinforced that notion. If that is the case, perhaps the Pritchards were the unwelcome visitors to the home of "The Black Monk." 

For more information on this episode visit our website!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Astonishing LegendsBy Astonishing Legends Productions

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

9,386 ratings


More shows like Astonishing Legends

View all
Expanded Perspectives by Expanded Perspectives

Expanded Perspectives

2,979 Listeners

Unexplained by iHeartPodcasts

Unexplained

7,634 Listeners

Mysterious Universe by 8th Kind

Mysterious Universe

5,595 Listeners

Jim Harold's Campfire by Jim Harold

Jim Harold's Campfire

7,027 Listeners

The Paranormal Podcast by Jim Harold

The Paranormal Podcast

4,758 Listeners

Monsters Among Us by Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios

Monsters Among Us

7,702 Listeners

Strange Familiars by SpectreVision Radio

Strange Familiars

1,346 Listeners

GraveYard Tales by Adam Ballinger & Matt Rudolph

GraveYard Tales

2,964 Listeners

Belief Hole | Paranormal, Mysteries and Other Tasty Thought Snacks by SpectreVision Radio

Belief Hole | Paranormal, Mysteries and Other Tasty Thought Snacks

986 Listeners

The Night Owl: True Ghost Stories by Night Owl Paranormal Investigations

The Night Owl: True Ghost Stories

2,887 Listeners

HOLOSKY PODCAST by Holosky Podcast

HOLOSKY PODCAST

1,155 Listeners

Paranormal Portal by Brent Thomas

Paranormal Portal

614 Listeners

The Midnight Library by Astonishing Legends Productions

The Midnight Library

1,102 Listeners

The Paranormal Report with Jim and Dar Harold by Dar and Jim Harold

The Paranormal Report with Jim and Dar Harold

450 Listeners

Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf by Astonishing Legends Productions

Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf

455 Listeners