Buildwas Abbey

In the 12th century, Abbot Burnell was faced with difficulties when a cattle disease ran through the region. Crops also faltered and fields were abandoned altogether, but Burnell refused to treat these problems seriously and would not listen to any suggestion that afflicted land owners could have their rents reduced. One of the junior monks stabbed Burnell in a fit of anger. Soon afer, the Bishop of Coventry appointed a new Abbot who was more amenable to listening to the farmer's problems. Thomas Tong, Burnell's murderer, served his penance and returned to the Abbey, wanting to be readmitted as a monk. The spirit of Burnell appeared, unhappy that the farmer's rents were not being paid and that his murderer was back. On one occasion, his spectre was seen in the company of another monk. The sounds of chanting and praying has also been heard too.

On 28th October 2025, properties manager Margaret gave a talk about ghosts at English Heritage sites, and a summary was placed on the Fortean Forums website; "Buildwas Abbey is sited on a dangerous bend. It was decided to build a small car park to stop people parking on the road. Unfortunately a digger excavated the bones of a monk. After confirmation that it was ancient dead the staff reburied it but an angry local farmer complained about someone in a monk's outfit wandering about on the road that night, acting lost."

Link: Forteana

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