This magnificent building as actually a Priory for most of its life.  Since Henry VIII's Dissolution the manor house of Bisham has been known as Bisham Abbey.  History has also told us that it was not even part of the monastic buildings that surrounded it.  The manor house was actually based around an ancient area built on by the Knights Templar who owned the manor in the 13th century.  The Hall within the building dates from around 1260 and you can imagine the Knights discussing their daily business and making plans.  In 1307 King Edward II seized from the Knights and it was used as a luxurious jail for very important "guests"! The wife of Robert de Bruce, Queen Elizabeth of the Scots was imprisoned here in 1310 along with her sister-in-law Lady Christine of Carrick and her step-daughter Princess Marjorie.

In 1335 the property was granted to the Montacute Barons who became the Earls of Salisbury.  It became the family residence for around 200 years.  Various renovations and changes to the Abbey were performed over this time.  The building was in no doubt the scene of political interest as well as state occasions during the the ownership of Richard Neville, the King making Earl of Salisbury & Warwick as King Richard III was his son-in-law.  The Hoby family took up residence in the early 16th century and in 1557 Sir Philip Hoby built the great dining hall (one of our vigil locations) and a suite of rooms.  Queen Elizabeth I spent a number of years imprisoned here during Bloody Mary's reign.  The Queen returned to the Abbey to visit Lady Hoby under happier terms later on in here life.

One of the more active paranormal residents of Bisham Abbey is in fact believed to be that of Lady Elizabeth Hoby.  Elizabeth taught her own children at the Abbey, however one of them, William, was not as bright as the rest of his siblings and often would be behind in his work.  One day whilst being taught in the Tower, all the other children had finished their work and William was left struggling to catch up.  Elizabeth is said to have lost patience with William when his pen unfortunately blotted and leaked all over his schoolwork.  She grabbed some rope and tied William to the chair and told him to rewrite all his work that day and slammed the door and locked it shut.  To vent her anger and frustration Lady Elizabeth went for a ride on her horse only to be greeted by a Royal messenger.  She had been summoned to Court by Queen Elizabeth and left immediately and left for Windsor.  

Several days later she returned and her children ran out to meet her, all except William.  She thought that he would be sulking after the classroom incident and asked the housekeeper where he was.  The housekeeper said that she thought he was with her Ladyship when the horror dawned on Elizabeth.  She ran to the tower but It was too late, little William had died and was still tied to the chair in the classroom.  Elizabeth was filled with guilt and remorse for the rest of her life.  Her phantom has been seen since the early 1600's wandering the grounds, moaning and wringing her hands of the what appears to be blood, a symbol of her wicked actions in the death of her son.

The current owners of Bisham Abbey are the National Sports Centre where the England Football Team train for international games.  The Centre have recently discovered an ancient burial ground right underneath the tennis courts in the grounds.  The area is going to be taken up by archeologists to gather more information on this important find.  We will have outside access around this area, it will be interesting to see if we get and EMF fluctuations from any escaping energies! 

It will definitely be an exciting night at Bisham Abbey, wandering the grounds and building trying to follow the trail of the sorrowful Lady Hoby...

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