The Spectral Roman Legion
The newest episode of Time between Times features one of the oldest stories I know. As a small child, I can clearly remember looking at a book that contained the drawing below. The scene of the ghostly legion marching in lockstep through the Celler chamber of the Treasurer’s house in York as terrified plumbing apprentice Harry Martindale Looks on in total shock.
I think it was the juxtaposition of the old and the new meeting in this strange location that really grabbed my attention and caused a shiver to sliver down my spine. If you can see Ghosts there you can see them anywhere and in the middle of the day as well. This really blew my mind. I always try to explain that looking for Ghosts seldom yields Ghosts and I think that this story demonstrates greater than any the unexpected nature of the supernatural.
These silent sentries from a bygone age have never been far from my mind but for some reason, it’s taken me until episode 129 of the podcast to tell their tale.
I hope they forgive me. I wouldn’t like to think that I had upset them?.
I think the catalyst for me telling Harry’s story on the podcast was the recent film I viewed from the collection of Paranormal historian Richard Felix’s Ghost Tour of Great Britain. Richards Videos are always entertaining but the one on the Ghosts of York is really good as it features an interview with the man at the centre of this story Harry Martindale.
Sadly Harry passed away in 2014 and although his encounter with the Roman legion occured in 1953 he did not start telling the story until the 1970s and remained a modest unassuming man who stuck to his story until the end. Have a watch of the video if you get a chance , its really interesting.
At the end of the day its a simple story about a ghostly encounter that changed a man’s life but one that continues to inspire and scare people ever since. I’m really glad that I have finally got the chance to tell it at the Time between Times. I hope you enjoy it?.
I will visit the Treasurer’s house in York later this year and I will put some pics on here for you to see.
Take care
Owen