Looking for Absolution

Looking for Absolution

From Creepy Classics by Juliette Harrisson

October 30, 2025 · 31 min

About this episode

The episode explores a murder and act of vengeance in medieval England, inspired by a ghost story from Byland Abbey, followed by a discussion on historical context.

In the wake of the Black Death and the Peasants’ Revolt, a vicious murder and an act of vengeance leave a soul in need of absolution… Inspired by the third of twelve local ghost stories recorded by a monk at Byland Abbey around the year 1400, this story is followed by a chat about its history, the system of serfdom and its end in medieval England, and the medieval practice of conjuring a ghost. Buy Creepy Classics: Haunting Tales for Winter! https://books2read.com/u/bPrZkz Buy Creepy Classics: Ghost Stories from Ancient Rome: https://books2read.com/u/b6XGkM Buy Creepy Classics: Ghost Stories from Ancient Greece: https://books2read.com/u/mK5oaL Buy Creepy Classics merch: https://www.julietteharrisson.co.uk/store Creepy Classics music written and composed by Ed Harrisson © This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

Topics covered

  • Black Death
  • Peasants’ Revolt
  • medieval England
  • ghost stories
  • serfdom

Keywords

  • absolution
  • vengeance
  • conjuring a ghost

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Creepy Classics: Haunting Tales for Winter, Creepy Classics: Ghost Stories from Ancient Rome, Creepy Classics: Ghost Stories from Ancient Greece, Creepy Classics merch

Books & works: Creepy Classics: Haunting Tales for Winter, Creepy Classics: Ghost Stories from Ancient Rome, Creepy Classics: Ghost Stories from Ancient Greece, Creepy Classics

Places: England

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