Investigation: Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Castle lies on the Northern edge of Dartmoor map reference SX584943. It was first mentioned in the Domesday book in 1086 as being the hub of the estates of Baldwin de Brionne the Sheriff of Devon and descendant of Duke Richard of Normandy. The castle was in royal hands from 1193 - 94 throughout the reign of Richard I. The castle was recorded in the Courtenays hands from 1173 until Henry Courtenay was deposed by Henry VIII in 1538.

Teams were rotated around the key areas on the hour with the final hour to be spent on vigil / séance with the castle keep.

On arrival at 1730 hrs the core team carried out an EMF sweep on the investigation areas with negative results. Ambient temperature readings were taken together with the recording of the environment log. There were several members of the public on site prior to handover - however following 1800 hrs the site was handed over for sole use of Haunted Devon. The main areas of investigation were as follows:

On arrival of the members at 1830 hrs they were briefed near the castle gates before being shown the key investigation areas.

Under the team leaders group members made their way to the vigil areas. Most of the groups made the best of the sunny evening to take part in some dowsing, automatic writing and other experiments. The following reports have been received from team leaders.

Brett reported that a set of batteries recently charged had discharged (Later reported that the same batteries recharged on return home). Lucy began to feel unwell and complained of stomach pains. Francina a sensitive felt as if the group were being watched. Nothing of note was captured on either video or photo.

Lucy and Paul begin their vigil in the inner keep (the later addition) the remainder of the team stay in the old keep. About 2009 hrs Lucy reports hearing a female voice whisper her name in her ear! Paul corroborates the voice and confirmation was sought from other members of the team as to their locations. It was established that as far as the team are aware no one spoke throughout the early vigil. Brett later reported observing a movement in the same area where Lucy had experienced the voice. Francina begins to sense a female presence who had entered the inner keep. Brett later reports that he felt as if he had walked into a wall of energy "energy bubble" near completion of the vigil.

At 2045 hrs - Lucy captures "an orb". Brian walked to perimeter using an EMF meter set to radio / microwave - the needle rose on moving towards Lucy and fell when moving away. The needle also rose when moving to Francina but the males in the team failed to meet any response. A cold spot was felt in the area that Lucy had take the orb picture it was about 4.5 ft above the ground and was only noticeable for a distance of 4 ft horizontally.

Accommodation 2100 hrs - 2200 hrs

EMF meter readings taken around the females in the group showed higher readings that the males - who seemed not to affect the readings in any way. Paul observed what he believed to be a figure in dark clothing looking out from the living quarters to a grass bank. Francina reports lights in the archway and Lucy reports that whilst standing in the Garderobe she felt tightness in her chest. Her stomach ache had become worse and she had to leave the room. Francina picked up on a male presence who apparently did not want Brett in the room. Brett also experienced a sudden pain in his jaw.

Various light anomalies are filmed and photographed in this area.

Strange green low near the doorway - lichen?

Great Hall 2200 hrs - 2300 hrs

Nothing to report

A particularly quiet start to the evening the team began to carry out some spirit dowsing techniques. Jason obtained the names of two spirits believed to be Ralph ages 9 - 10 and Louise 12 -13 years. Additionally Jay believed that both had died in a fire. The above details were matched by Trace who had also been dowsing.

Trace reported that the female entity may have followed here from the Great Hall. The team recorded higher than average readings around Trace and a later experiment apparently saw the EMF meter rise to command a number of times. Temperature readings fluctuated around Trace at this time. Dowsing by team members picked up on the female "Louise".

The Keep 2100 hrs - 2200 hrs

A female voice was heard by Trace whilst entering the Keep and a light anomaly was captured on camera. A séance carried out by the team picked up on a lot of charged energy and Trace felt light headed and heavy limbed. Dave on calling out received audible responses to his requests. A later combined vigil several team members had their hair tugged however an additional séance proved to be very flat. However many of the group sensed that something had been circling the group.

The B team in the inner keep - strange light anomaly in the window?

Accommodation 2200 - 2300 hrs

Nothing to report.

We began our investigation in the Accommodation buildings on the Western side of the castle. Although inactive Bridget and Jackie felt a feeling of contentment and happiness in this area. All areas were covered from the Chapel forward to the gatehouse. No outstanding events were recorded.

Moving to the Eastern Walls to the Great Hall the team began to pick up some paranormal activity. An EVP experiment was carried out however with negative results. At 2018 hrs Bridget felt the presence of a "strong" male spirit at the time Bridget had been engaged in an automatic handwriting experiment and the word "Go" was indicated temperature dropped from 12.2° C to 11.8° C and humidity was raised to 42%. The temperature and humidity had previously remained constant. Jackie later carried out a similar experiment in automatic handwriting and contacted who she believed to be a female member of the Courtenay family - The temperature had dropped to 10.5° C time was noted at 2032 hrs. Automatic writing could be likened to a diagram of the outer castle walls. Both female team members also sensed the spirit of a young child aged 6 - 7 years in the vicinity of the serving areas.

The team moved to the chapel and the priests accommodation. Bridget whilst in the priests accommodation heard a loud noise that she likened to something being torn or Velcro being unfastened. There were no other teams in the vicinity and the cause of the sound could not be established. There were youths playing in the fields below the castle but Bridget was convinced that the sound could not be attributed to them. Bridget and Jackie then began a series of experiments in the altar area of the chapel. Both females sensed that they "did not belong there" and Bridget noted that she had become tight around the chest and a weight had been placed on her shoulders. Byron began speaking Latin in order to observe the effect - Bridget complained that the weight on here shoulders had increased and that she felt that she was being forced to kneel. Whilst this may seem subjective - both Byron and Dai could feel a temperature change above and around Bridget.

Finally Jackie experimented by calling out in French as French prisoners of war may have visited or been held in the castle throughout the Napoleonic Wars. However the sensation felt by Bridget slowly vanished.

Relatively quiet in our group although Bridget felt uncomfortable in the outer room (dates 11th C) although she was very comfortable in the later 14th - 15th Century addition.

Whilst working within the Garderobe - Jamie had some success with dowsing and Shannel felt something touch her back.

Several cold spots felt and Shannel smelt eggs in which later transpired to be the kitchen area.