THE PHANTOM LEGIONNAIRE

Cheshire is situated in the northwest of England. It was founded by Romans as a small settlement in 79 AD and given the name of Deva Victrix. However, by AD 200 it became a major fortress for elite forces based in the Roman Province of Britannia. Huge stone walls were built around the garrison, which still stand to this day and remain one of the city’s major attractions.

The Romans remained in Chester until the late 4th century, by which time many legions in Britannia were being recalled to other parts of the Roman Empire, which were deemed more crucial to the welfare of Rome.

Like York, also a Roman settlement, Chester lays claim to being the most haunted city in the north of England. Countless, houses, taverns, churchyards, and the walls themselves, are said to be haunted.
Having been such an extensive and important garrison, with up to 6000 solders reported to have been based there, it is hardly surprising that the spectral form of a Roman soldier has been seen parading the ramparts. Furthermore, this trouper of the twilight world is by no means a shy spirit, as his stoic form has been reported on countless occasions.

It is widely believed that many spirits linger in this life as they remain troubled, or have unfinished business to attend to. That being the case, it could contribute to the legend that has grown up around this troubled legionnaire, for he was said to have died in particularly unhappy circumstances.
The tale of his plight is that he fell passionately in love with a local maiden. So overwhelming was his desire to be with her that he would woo her at every available opportunity. This frequently caused him to neglect his duties at the garrison. Under the cloak of darkness he would often sneak out through the postern gate to be with his lover.
As he was a soldier of some rank he would instruct his men to go about their duties in order to cover for his frequent absences.

There was much resentment amongst the locals towards associating with the Romans. After all, they were the rulers who imposed strict laws and taxes on the indigenous people.

It was not long before his romantic rendezvous’ with the girl were discovered by a hardy and reckless bunch of local lads. One night, after the soldier had visited his beloved, the brawny gang lie in wait as he made his return to the garrison. He was subsequently set upon then tied up and gagged. Helpless to defend himself, or run for the safely of the garrison, he remained, battered and bleeding, contemplating his fate.

In the meantime, his assailants crept stealthily through the unguarded postern gate. Once inside the garrison they released their pent-up anger toward the soldiers, who were relaxing at the time and quite unprepared for combat. Several of the troopers were killed in the attack and others injured. The men then gathered up as much booty as they could carry and made off.

Meanwhile, the young soldier had managed to free himself from his bonds but remained in a dilemma. If he were to return to the garrison he would face disciplinary action for neglecting his duties. Furthermore, He had left the postern gate unguarded, which, in turn, had allowed the raiders access, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers under his command. Nevertheless, he felt that he must make his way back and sound the alarm.

Stumbling through the undergrowth the garrison finally came into view. However, as he was about to make his way to the gate, a straggler from the gang set upon him and he was killed.

Many claim to have witnessed his troubled spirit to this day drifting helplessly about the city’s walls. One is, therefore, drawn to ask, could he still searching for his long, lost love from all those centuries ago? Maybe he remains troubled over having neglecting is duties and seeks, in some way, to put matters to rights. Whatever the case, his spirit is always seen at the south-eastern part of the city walls.

By my story does not end here. So many accounts of paranormal phenomena frequently become embellished over time and distorted by what is known as ‘Chinese whispers. It seems this started to occur as early as the nineteenth century when locals began referring to the ‘Newgate Ghost’.

Many claimed to have encountered this scurrilous spectre breezing about the city walks. This caused locals to avoid this area after dark. Unfortunately, one poor woman, while walking along the walls, found herself confronted by a hooded figure. The woman was so terrified that she rushed home screaming with fear. Needless to say, her husband could make little sense of her ramblings. However, after pacifying her she began to explain how a shrouded figure had made a sudden dramatic appearance and had scared her out of her wits.

The woman’s husband, being a rough and ready sort of fellow, instantly over-reacted before allowing himself time to be in full command of his wife’s encounter. He, therefore, stormed off to seek out the spectre and to knock seven bells out of it. The thought of how he planned to engage in combat with a spirit had, quite obviously, not occurred to him.

As he made his way along the walks he soon came upon the hooded figure. Quickening his pace, he rolled up his sleeves and strode towards what he assumed to be the spectre that had terrified his wife. Hearing the heavy stride of his footsteps the hooded figure turned to face the would-be assailant, who had suddenly stopped in his tracks. Passersby had to restrain the man from making a violent attack, for the spectre turned out to be the wife of the local baker. The foolish woman had been prompted to spring a prank and trick people into believing they had encountered the ‘Newgate Ghost’.

The woman was subsequently arrested by the police who warned her never to pull such a foolish stunt again. Nevertheless, to this day, many locals still claim to have seen the vague, shimmering form of the legionnaire parading the walls.