Famous Ghost Picture Origin Story
In September 1936, in Norfolk, England, two photographers working for country life magazine would take one of the most famous paranormal photographs in history. The photo has stood the test of time and has never been debunked. While the photo was certainly exciting, the massive estate built in the 1600s has long been said to be haunted one of the former occupants. In time, this spirit became to be known as the Brown Lady of Raynam Hall. In this post, we will examine sightings of this apparition, details surrounding the famous photo and who this spirit and what happened in her life.
On September 19, 1936, on assignment at The Massive countryside home of Raynham Hall, Hubert Provand and his assistant Indre Shira were photographing the luxurious estate. The men took some photos around the home and eventually set up to take pictures of the grand staircase.
After one set of photos were taken of the main staircase, they began setting up to take a second round. Then, suddenly out of nowhere, Indre Shira said he saw a “vapory form gradually assuming the appearance of a woman” moving down the stairs.
Provand turned his head and saw it as well. Acting quickly, Provand took off the lens off the camera and Shira snapped the photo. In the time, the negatives were developed, and the photo of the Brown Lady was published in Country Life magazine on December 26, 1936, along with the story of that day.
While the photograph is truly remarkable, it’s important to point out sightings of the Brown lady have occurred for centuries.
Captain Frederick Marryat Brown Lady Sighting
In 1836, three witnesses would report seeing the Brown Lady late at night. Captain Frederick Marryat came to stay at the home. He had heard the stories of the Brown lady but didn’t believe them. He requested to stay in the most active room in the home where she was seen most often.
The first two nights no activity occurred. Then on third night the captain would have an experience he would remember for the rest of his life.
Two young men staying down the hall that night knocked on his door and asked him to give his opinion on a gun they had just purchased. The captain examined the new firearm and as he left, he joked to the men that they could use it if the Brown Lady Appeared. The three men had a good laugh, and the two young men, wanting to display good manners, said they would walk the Captain back to his room.
As the men walked down the hall and approached the Captain’s room, they glared down the dark, quiet hall and saw a light coming toward them. The men were confused and stepped just inside the captain’s room. the captain began to peer through the narrowly opened door. He could see the figure coming closer and gripped his revolver tightly with his finger on the trigger. As the captain made out more details, he finally to his horror could see what it was, the apparition matched the portrait of the woman that was hanging directly over his bed.
As the Brown lady approached right in front of the door, the entity peered through at the captain and gave an evil smile. Both terrified and angry, the captain swung open the door and fired his revolver right in her face. As he did though, the bullet went right through her and immediately upon firing, the apparition disappeared. All three men had witnessed the Brown lady for several minutes and all three never joked about her again.
While the 1836 sighting was surely a fascinating one, the earliest recorded sighting happened just one year prior.
The Origin Story for the Brown Lady Name
In 1835, Colonel Loftus was invited to the home. As the colonel and another guest were approaching their room one night, the men alleged to see the brown lady. The men noticed the old brown dress as it really stood out to them. The following night Loftus would allege to see the brown lady again.
This time he pointed out the hideous appearance of the ghost. In particular, the Brown lady had empty eye sockets on her glowing face. The colonel’s sightings would coin the name Brown Lady for the ghost.
1926 Brown Lady of Raynam Hall sighting
The next sighting occurred in 1926. In 1926, Dowager Marchioness Townshend, the Lady of the house, said her son and his friend saw a ghost on the staircase. They later identified the figure as the woman that hung in the haunted room. In the room, so many had reported seeing strange manifestations.
Lady Townshend
Lady Townshend would report paranormal activity too and would write a book on true ghost stories.
She would say:
‘I must confess I believe in ghosts, and I have for many years lived in a definitely haunted house.’
The book is filled with stories concerning the apparition and strange events such as furniture being moved around by itself and odd unexplainable noises.
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Who is the Brown Lady of Raynham?
Most say the Brown Lady of Raynham is Lady Dorothy Walpole. Many who witnessed her, were able to point to her portrait in the home and positively identify her.
Still, this raises the question why might her spirit be still roaming around?
Dorothy Walpole was born in 1628 and was the sister of the first prime minister of Great Britain, Robert Walpole. She eventually married Charles Townshend, who had a reputation for having a violent and uncontrollable temper. It’s not clear exactly what Lady Walpole did to anger her husband so much, but there are several popular theories. One is that she had an affair with Thomas Wharton, who lived nearby. Wharton was an English politician known for having a reckless lifestyle. Some say she upset her husband by spending too much money. Regardless, Charles Townshend locked her in the home and forbid her from leaving. Dorothy Walpole stayed in the home until her death in 1726.
Many of the people who have alleged to see The Brown Lady say it’s the portrait of the woman in the room Captain Marryat stayed in.
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The Manor
The manor itself has a long and deep history.
It was originally built in the early 1600’s and then it was expanded by Charles Townshend. The Townshends have been a prominent part of not only British history, but American history. In 1772, Charles Townshend created the Townshend acts which helped drive the American Revolution.
At the end of the 20th century, the house went through a difficult time financially. There was an agricultural depression, and the owners were spending too much on their lavish lifestyle.
However, the Townshends didn’t lose the estate. A Townshend descendant still resides in the home today. Lord Charles George Townshend is the current 8th Marquess and owner of the property.
Is there activity in the home still today?
It appears paranormal activity has slowed the last several decades although it’s said it hasn’t completely stopped.
Coming back to the Country living photo
Some have been skeptical of the 1936 Photograph. Over the years there’s been a variety of critics who have tried to explain the photo saying that it was faked.
Some say that it was a double exposure, while ithers say the photographers put grease on the camera lens. Some modern day skeptics have even tried recreating the photo.
Still, in our opinion, none have been able to adequately prove the photo was fake.
It’s important to point out too that since the photo was taken in 1936, there wasn’t any type of photo editing that would be available. Both photographers maintained until their death the photo was real and they saw something hovering down the stairs.
Still, the debate rages on to this day on the validity.
As we see continue to see more and more photos and videos of not only the paranormal, but also cryptids and UFOs, believers are left in a no-win situation. Skeptics will continue to ask where is the video or photo proof? When a legitimate video is taken though, it will be deemed a deep fake or from AI. It’s understandable to an extent though. There are more real-life looking fakes than ever. This will leave the smoking gun evidence to be much harder to come by for investigators.
Still, in time with enough solid videos and photos, we’re going to learn much more about these various unexplained phenomena.
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