Gone Medieval Medieval Winter Ghosts
Dec 23, 2025
Join Dr. Michael Carter, a Senior properties historian at English Heritage and expert on medieval hauntings, as he delves into chilling winter ghost tales. He explores how these stories reflect medieval beliefs about purgatory and the impact of Advent's somber atmosphere. Carter shares insights from the Byland Abbey ghost manuscripts, discussing their role in prompting prayers for the dead. He also examines the haunting motif of the three living and the three dead, alongside the physical effects and remedies when encountering revenants. A fascinating journey into medieval supernatural lore!
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Winter As A Moral And Apocalyptic Season
- Medieval winter and Christmas tied ghost-telling to apocalyptic expectation and preparation for the Last Judgment.
- Dr Michael Carter argues winter's darkness and Advent austerity made ghosts a seasonally powerful moral reminder.
Snowball The Tailor's Purgatorial Bargain
- The Snowball the Tailor tale features a raven, a black dog, and a ghost demanding 180 masses to be absolved.
- Snowball arranges costly absolution, falls ill, but the spirit is freed and thanks him.
Ghosts Demand Prayers To Ease Purgatory
- Many medieval ghost stories show apparitions seeking masses, alms, or prayers to shorten purgatorial suffering.
- Dr Michael Carter explains these tales taught the laity that intercession by the living had real spiritual efficacy.