by Original Sharp

Created on: May 20, 2007   Last Updated: May 21, 2007

THE HAUNTING OF MINSDEN CHAPEL - HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND

Okay, some of you in the UK may have heard of a little place in the Hertfordshire countryside called Minsden Chapel. For the rest of you who have not I'll take pity and give you some background on it.

Built somewhere around the 13th-14th century, Mindsen Chapel is a famed and well documented haunted ruin. Google it, find it on Wikipedia, it's there believe me.

By the 17th century it was little more than a ruin, and now, 2007 it stands in the middle of a field, just off of a small country road outside of an ancient village called St Ippolytts.

It wasn't until the very early 20th century that the place gained the notoriety it has today. It was 'discovered' by Attorney and local Historian, Reginald Hine. Reg fell in love with the place, nothing more than five ruined walls hidden amongst an oasis of dense woodland situated in the middle of a vast lake of open field. To him the place held significance, so much so that he even took out a lease on it which remained until his death.

The hauntings themselves are no less interesting. It is said that a ghostly monk can be seen climbing a non-existent staircase on Halloween night, on one occasion it is said that Hine and his companion, W.T Latchmore managed to take a snap of the monk; although I have yet to find a copy. There is also a ghostly nun it is said, who was murdered there, her remains hidden somewhere on the site. Feint music has also been reported, as well as the sound of ghostly bells tolling. All interesting, but the best part isn't fable but rather fact...and rather tragic.

Reginald Hine, respected historian and solicitor, died in 1949. He was stood at the nearby Hitchin train station, talking to a friend on the platform as he casually stepped off the platform and out in front of a passing train, killing him instantly. Such was his love for the place, that he was buried on site, by the main 'entrance' to the ruin. Sometime before he died, he wrote the following: "I will pursue any trespassers or sacrilegious person in death as a ghost as i did while I was alive," which many believe he does indeed do!

So, back story aside, me and three friends decided to take a look for ourselves! Taking a camcorder (lovingly manned by myself of course ;-) ) we went to the site, the first time in darkness. When I say darkness, I kid you not. With one small torch we went up there, surrounded on all sides by dense trees we could barely see each other let alone anything else! All

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