Tuesday, 14 November 2017

The Blue Lady - Temple Newsam

I contacted Temple Newsam in relation to the ghost of 'The Blue Lady' who is said to haunt the manor house. Deborah, who is one of the tour guides, kindly emailed me back with more details on the story.


Mary Ingram our Blue Lady. Mary (1638 – 1652) was the daughter of Sir Thomas Ingram, later Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Lady Frances Ingram (nee Bellasyse). The traditional Story is that one day, while returning to Temple Newsam House after visiting relatives at Barrowby near Garforth, Leeds her coach was attacked by Highwaymen. All her valuables were taken including her precious pearl necklace. The pearls were a Christening present from her Grandfather, Sir Arthur Ingram who had purchased Temple Newsam in 1622. The shock of the incident quite unbalanced her mind and she had no recollection of the attack. Today we would have diagnosed her condition as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. At the time, of course, this was unheard of. Mary was repeatedly found by family and servants in great distress asking “where are my pearls?, Where are my pearls?” She began searching everywhere, in draws, under the beds and even under carpets! A Doctor was consulted and advised the family to remove her from the scene of the crime and her mind would be restored. They removed to London but Mary’s condition only worsened. Mary died aged only 14 and is buried in Westminster Abbey, London.

We do have a portrait of a young lady here in the House, we believe is Mary, attributed to the artist Sir Peter Lely and hangs in our Gothic room. Many people say they have seen Mary still looking for her Pearls  (as her spirt can’t settle). On these occasions She appears with a blue mist / aura all around her.

Focus practical work on portraits??

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