The History Behind the Characters of "Ghosts"

(UK Version)

If you love the show Ghosts, and are curious about the history behind the story, this is the place for you! Curated by Elena Crall, these resources provide a descriptive background of each character and the beautiful house where it is filmed. If you haven't seen the show, not to worry! This guide will only introduce the characters and their time periods, with few spoilers. So sit back, relax, have a cuppa, and enjoy!

Introduction

"Ghosts" is a critically acclaimed television show produced by BBC One. It is created by and stars the comedic minds (lovingly dubbed "The Six Idiots" by their fans) that brought the hit show "Horrible Histories." It is about a young woman named Alison who inherits Button House, a beautiful historical property riddled with ghosts. Due to an accident that had her close to death, Alison is now able to see and communicate with the ghosts, while her husband, Mike, cannot. Although the story of "Ghosts" is fictional, each of the characters represent a different historical time period, ranging from the Prehistoric Age to modern times. Button House, itself, is a medieval manor house that dates back to 1425, with dwellings existing in that spot since Saxon times.

For each ghost character there is a recommended outside reading source that will help place the characters in history and put their views and their presence in perspective. An annotated bibliography follows each outside source, as well as an introduction of each character. After the character introductions, there is a link to the real Button House, West Horsley Place, where the television show is filmed. And last, but not least, there is an official trailer of the show. Enjoy!

Robin - Prehistoric Age

Robin is from the Prehistoric Age. Based on what we know about him, he was alive between 400,000 to 4,000 years ago. Though he is the oldest ghost at Button House, he is the least set in his ways. Highlighting the suspected intelligence of early man, he has been able to adapt to the changing world he has encountered and has learned to read and speak English. He is also a master at chess!

Robin is played by Laurence Rickard.

"Late Stone Age Hunters of the British Isles" by Christopher Smith (1992, May 21)

Christopher Smith introduces the practices and methods of Stone Age hunters of the British Isles through thoughtful research and case studies. He first explains how hunters and gatherers functioned back then and how they are portrayed in archeological records. He then illustrates the environmental factors of the Lateglacial and early Postglacial periods. There are three case studies highlighted in this work. The first case is about the hunters of the Lateglacial tundra. The second is about hunters of the boreal forests and deciduous woodlands. The third is about coastal adaptations that hunters had to learn. Smith's background in archeology and geography gives this work a unique perspective and delves into the issue of "the relationships which exist between people and their environment, on both the small scale of the individual site and on the larger scale of the settlement pattern as a whole."

Plague Ghosts - Late Middle Ages

The Plague Ghosts are a group of ghosts who live in the basement together and are resident experts of the boiler. They are all from the same village in the 1300's. Unfortunately, they contracted the bubonic plague when a villager returned from his travels to London and brought everyone fur pelts as souvenirs. Seemed like a great gift at the time except they were carrying plague infested fleas.

Plague Ghosts are played by Lolly Adefope, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond and Katy Wix.

"Pestilence in Medieval and Early Modern English Literature," by Byron Lee Grigsby (2003, December 1)

Byron Lee Grigsby explores the representation of leprosy, bubonic plague, and syphilis in Medieval and early modern English literature. This includes medicine and medical practices ranging from the Greco-Roman to Christian cultures. Aside from medical facts, the book also dives into the religious and cultural connotations of the day. For example, leprosy was portrayed as a spiritual punishment. The plague was represented as an apocalypse. And syphilis was an indicator of a morally bankrupt life. As Grigsby points out, "These stereotypes often carry moral connotations and resonate with certain social concerns." In an age where there was virtually no medical science and horrible hygiene, the prejudices of that time have remained strong and this book is a reflection of those flaws the human race still endures today.

Jemima - Late Middle Ages

Jemima is the little plague girl in the pantry who can be heard singing by the living. She sings "Ring around the Rosie" which includes the lyrics, "a-tishoo, a-tishoo." She does not show up in every episode, but when she does, she certainly makes an impression!

"Ring Around the Rosie: Metafolklore, Rhyme, and Reason", by Stephen Winick. (2014, July 24)

Stephen Winick dives into the history, origin of lyrics, and their interpretation of the famous nursery rhyme in this blog post. More importantly, he addresses the age old question, Is Ring around the Rosie about the Great Plague outbreak (a combination of bubonic plague and pneumonia) which hit London in 1665? This question seems to have divided folklore historians. Some versions of the song, for example the version with "a-tishoo, a-tishoo" seems to have a direct correlation with the plague because those are the sounds of sneezing. While other renditions of the song do not include sneezing at all. The common theme with all the versions of this nursery rhyme are the presence of posies. However some vary from a "pocket full" to "pots". Though folklorists cannot agree on the true meaning behind this famous rhyme, they do agree it is a fun story to share.

The blog post is from the Library of Congress's FOLKLIFE TODAY:

https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2014/07/ring-around-the-rosie-metafolklore-rhyme-and-reason/

Humphrey - Tudor Era

Sir Humphrey Bone was a Tudor nobleman who had the honor of hosting King Henry VIII for dinner. He was later beheaded for his involvement in a failed Catholic plot against Queen Elizabeth I. Due to his death circumstances, his head is detached from his body and they are not always in the same place at the same time.

Humphrey's head is played by Laurence Rickard.

Humphrey's body is played by Yani Xander.

"The Tudors: a Very Peculiar History" by Jim Pipe (2012, January 20).

Jim Pipe explores the weird, bizarre and quirky account of the Tudor Era. The Tudor Era was born from the fall of the Plantagenet dynasty at the Battle of Bosworth Field in Leicestershire on August 22, 1485. When Henry Tudor, 2nd Earl of Richmond (who later became Henry VII), defeated King Richard III and seized the crown. Jump to the infamous reign of Henry VIII who succeeded the throne after the death of his older brother, Arthur. Aside from the notorious murders of his wives, there are other bizarre facts about Henry's life which range from his obsession with titles and the renowned sex appeal of his calves. After Henry's death, he is succeeded by Bloody Mary, the Nine Days Queen, and Elizabeth I. Ironically Henry VIII's obsession with procuring a male heir to secure the line of succession, was abruptly thwarted by his very own child. Elizabeth I was quite the fashionista, by the time of her death she had over 3,000 dresses, 200 cloaks, and no heirs. This is an entertaining read where one learns more about the intimate details and quirks of the Tudors' lives. As Pipe puts, "When it comes to drama, few royal families can match the Tudors...It's all here, against the glamorous backdrop of grand castles and lavish palaces, sumptuous feasts, gorgeous clothes and spectacular tournaments."

Mary - Stuart Era

Mary is a peasant woman who died in the 1610s during the Stuart Era. She was accused of being a witch and was burned at the stake. She is in constant fear of anyone being accused of witchcraft or anything that could be mistaken as supernatural. She is very suspicious of the swans in the garden and believes they are the devil's work.

Mary is played by Katy Wix.

"An account of the trial, confession & condemnation of six witches, at Maidstone" September, 1645

This work claims to be the "transcription" of the trial, confession and condemnation of six witches at Maidstone, which is the largest city of Kent, England. The presiding judge was the Reverend and Honorable Judge Warburton. The accused were Anne Ashby, Anne Martyn, Mary Browne, Mildred Wright, Anne Wilson, and Mary Read. The depiction of events are melodramatic and defensive of the accusations. For example, when Anne Ashley was on the stand she "fell into an extasie before the Bench, and swell'd into a monstrous and vast bigness, screeching, and crying out very dolefully." They believed this to be devil possession, but who would stay calm when being accused of witchcraft in front of violent and delusional mob? It was reported that Mary Browne, Anne Wilson and Mildred Wright had pins thrust into their arms, but did not feel any pain. The choice of execution was burning at the stake, as they rationalize, "that it was a received opinion amongst many, that the body of a witch being burnt, her bloud is prevented thereby from hereditary to her Progeny in the same evill, which by hanging is not." In other words, they believed the burning would eradicate the evil, whereas hanging just kills the body, but not the "evil" inside. Interestingly, the recorder did not choose a side in this argument. This is an example how truly devastating and damaging mob mentality and fear mongering can effect a civilized society.

The digital copy of this document is available on the Library of Congress website:

https://www.loc.gov/item/11014656/

image from "Swimming a Witch: Evidence in 17th century English Witch Trials," by Nathan Dorn.

"Swimming a Witch: Evidence in 17th century English Witch Trials" by Nathan Dorn (2022, Feb. 8).

In the blog post from the Library of Congress's In Custodia Legis, Nathan Dorn dives into the history, evolution, and later condemnation of the dreaded swim test to determine whether one was a "witch." The practice of witch swimming or dunking, was tying up the accused and throwing them into a body of water. If they sank, they are innocent; if they float, they are a witch. However, though if they are innocent, they still end up drowning. Dorn explains that the psychology behind the acceptance of this non-scientific approach is due to the mob mentality fueled by the fear of God. This type of judgement was used if there was no evidence or witnesses to help determine if the accused was guilty or innocent. "The premise of the ordeal was that the trial provoked God's direct intervention in determining the guilt or innocence of the accused." This practice known as judicium dei (judgement of God) became increasingly popular amongst clergy and local uneducated gentry. The practice had been around since the Middle Ages, but didn't hit it's national stride until James I of England gave his regal approval in 1603. He explained that the test worked because witches deal with the devil and refuse the waters of Baptism, so when thrown into the water, the holy powers of Baptism refuse them and let them float. Thankfully, the madness subsided, and by the end of the 17th century the practice was condemned and ruled as a crime.

The Library of Congress's In Custodia Legis Blog post can be found here:

https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2022/02/swimming-a-witch-evidence-in-17th-century-english-witchcraft-trials/

Kitty - Georgian Era

Kitty is a Georgian noblewoman who died in 1757 (three years before the end of King George II's reign). Little is known about her life, except she grew up with her father and half sister. She is believed to be inspired by the real noblewoman, Dido Elizabeth Belle.

Kitty is played by Lolly Adefope.

"We've discovered even more about Dido Belle's remarkable life" by Ellie Ayton (2020, Oct. 15)

Ellie Ayton gives a thoughtful and thoroughly researched depiction of Dido Elizabeth Belle's life. Dido was born in the West Indies in 1761 to a slave mother, Maria Belle, and a white father, naval officer Sir John Lindsey. Lindsey brought Dido to England to be raised by his uncle William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield. Ayton cites and references contemporary sources that mention Dido. These sources include the diary of Thomas Hutchinson and James Beattie's Elements of Moral Science. What is more remarkable was the influence of her uncle Lord Mansfield who was presiding as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. When he faced cases concerning slaves, he is documented ruling for their freedom. "It's thought that some of his decisions moved Britain closer to abolishing the slave trade."

This article can be found on the website Find My Past:

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/discoveries/dido-elizabeth-belle

Belle (2013)

Belle is a British period drama inspired by the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle. It was released in 2013, directed by Amma Asante, written by Misan Sagay, and produced by Damian Jones. It stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the titular character. Critcally acclaimed, it open to positive reception with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 84%. It is a beautifully depicted historical drama that gracefully tackles the social issues Dido faced while being raised as a noble in a white British society that was still involved in slave trade.

Thomas - Regency Era

Thomas Thorne was a poet from the Regency Era. He often speaks of his rival, Lord Byron, whom he accuses of being overrated. He dies by duel over a misunderstanding about the novelist Mary Shelley. He is a romantic at heart who often spends his time composing love poems.

Thomas is played by Mathew Baynton.

"Byron in Geneva: that summer in 1816" by David Ellis (2011, May 16)

David Ellis provides an in depth, perceptive account of a tumultuous period in Byron's personal life. Following the collapse of his marriage, Byron moves to Geneva to find himself. He meets Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Godwin (later known as Mary Shelley), Claire Clairmont, and John Polidori. It seemed that summer in 1816 was where time stood still, and their lives were forever changed. These changes included the birth of Mary Shelley as an author as well as the birth of Byron's daughter with Claire Clairmont. Ellis also dives into the aftermath of that fateful summer all the way up to Byron's dying wishes in 1824. That summer for Byron was a pivotal moment in his life, not only personally, but professionally, as the author states "its significance is as much literary as biographical."

Fanny - Victorian/Edwardian Era

Lady Fanny Button is a noblewoman from the Victorian/Edwardian Eras. Unlike Mary and Kitty, she is educated and excels in mathematics. After her father gambled away the family fortune, Fanny, unable to help her father solve his problems using her mathematical talents due to societal restraints, was forced to marry Sir George Button. Unfortunately, it was not happily ever after for them. She has a strong moral compass and often wears her emotions on her sleeve.

Fanny is played by Martha Howe-Douglas.

"Women and the Politics of Schooling in Victorian and Edwardian England," by Jane Martin (1998, December 22)

Jane Martin examines the evolution of women's roles in society, more particularly in the role of government and education. She focuses on the lives of 29 female members of the London School Board. 29 sounds like a lot of members, however the total amount was 326, so the women only accounted for 10% of the local membership. As higher education was slowly opening up to women, this became "a crucial testing ground of women's abilities both as political candidates and as elected representatives." Women emerging as pillars of the community was not an easy feat as they are weighed down by archaic societal constructs that were originally used to separate the sexes. These struggles are also prevalent today, as women still have to deal with pay inequality and less job opportunities than their male counterparts.

Captain - World War II

Little is known about the Captain so far. What we know is that he was a Commanding Officer during World War II, while stationed at Button House. Due to his rank and education level, we assume he is from a family of means. He is always in uniform and rarely "at ease," but that doesn't affect his willingness to get involved and offer his assistance.

Captain is played by Ben Willbond.

"Soldier 4346057: a Second World War Diary," by Douglas Hudson (2014, February 21).

Douglas Hudson gives an honest account of his experience as a soldier in World War II. He reveals his thoughts at the time of his six and half years of service. He recounts his experiences in England, North Africa, Italy, and the Middle East. The format of the book is in diary form and guides the reader through his days. For example, on July 6th, 1944, his second time in Italy, he records "our worst fears are being realized. With air superiority, there is less need in the eyes of our Lord and Masters... what a mess." In a time of history, where masses are actively rejecting historical events, Hudson's honest and raw account of his experiences are invaluable. His bravery and adaptability to terrifying and unbelievable circumstances is to be commended. As Hudson notes in the beginning, "It is my hope that this narrative, with scrapbook, will be preserved by our children if for no other reason that to ensure they do not forget the tragedy which fell not only on England and Europe but on the whole world, and that they do no forget also the absolute futility of war."

Pat - 1980s

Pat Butcher was a Scout Master who died from an archery accident in 1984 at Button House. His family visits every year on his "death day." He is a man of many talents, which include camping, improvisation and socializing which makes him the emotional glue that keeps the group together. He was also a regional dance finalist!

Pat is played by Jim Howick.

"Scouting for Boys" by Robert Bayden-Powell (2005, June 2).

Originally published in 1908, this is a handbook for scouts and instructors by Robert Baden-Powell. It is divided into six parts. The first part covers Scoutcraft and Scout Laws, which includes a list of badges, laws and secret signs. Parts two and three teach how to survive camping outside. Part four covers the importance of hygiene and physical fitness, and the meaning of brave deeds and chivalry. This part is quite thorough and goes into detail about some body parts to keep healthy. For example, he was emphatic about the importance of teeth hygiene and recommended them being brushed twice a day. Part five is about first aid and saving lives. The handbook ends on a lighter note in part six, where they cover games and competitions. This section even has a musical score for students to follow. One example is "Boom-a-tata" provided by Dr. H. Kingston as a recommended marching rally. The underlying theme of this book is the importance of learning these good habits and discipline while young so one doesn't encounter "problems" when one is older.

Julian - 1990s

Julian Fawcett was a conservative Member of Parliament during the Thatcher years. He was attending a political fundraiser at Button House in 1993 where he suffered a heart attack while having an extramarital affair with another politician. Due to these circumstances, he walks around trouser-less. Don't let his appearance fool you, he was a first at Cambridge!

Julian is played by Simon Farnaby.

"Thatcher and Thatcherism" by Eric J. Evans (2013, February 11).

Eric J. Evans covers not just the life and impact of Britain's first female prime minister, but her influence on the conservative movement that took over the culture and economy for decades to follow. The book covers her rise to power in the 1970's to her eventual downfall in 1990. However, the book goes beyond that and analyzes her national and international influence. The author takes an objective perspective on her politics and party at the time. As he states, "it would be ludicrous to ascribe personal blame or (according to political conviction) credit to Margaret Thatcher for all - or even most - of the changes associated with globalization and the extraordinary lurch towards economic neo-liberalism that has taken place over the last thirty years." Despite one's own personal political leanings, it is always beneficial to learn how some leaders left an impact and what aftereffects are still in play today.

Button House - West Horsley Place

Button House is a beautiful historical and rundown estate. When Alison and Mike move in, it is in a state of disrepair and needs endless funds to keep it livable. Throughout the series you learn of historical events that occurred at the house through the flashbacks and recollections of the ghosts.

"A New Start" read by Bamber Gascoigne, West Horsley Place Trust.

West Horsley Place is the real name of Button House. Similar to it's fictional counterpart, it has a rich history with many areas that need improving. This video is about the history behind West Horsley Place as well as the birth of the charity, West Horsley Place Trust. Bamber Gascoigne inherited this massive estate from his aunt, Mary Duchess of Roxburghe. He illustrates the estate's history and his charitable goals. The building itself is a hodge-podge of different historical eras. It is a medieval manor house that dates back to 1425, with dwellings existing in that spot since Saxon times. It has a 17th century brick facade covering the original older timber base. One room even has a Tudor ceiling. The house is a treasure trove of history and the trust is dedicated to restoring it so it can be more accessible to the community. Truly, noblesse oblige at its finest.

You can find the video and other information of the Trust on their official website:

https://www.westhorsleyplace.org/a-new-start

Ghosts Official Trailer

In case you haven't seen the show, here is the official trailer on Youtube. Enjoy!

Alison is played by Charlotte Ritchie.

Mike is played by Kiell Smith-Bynoe.

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