The Cauld Lad O'Hylton

There once was a lowly stable lad, his name was Roger Skelton, and he along with countless others could never have imagined that his death would fascinate locals and historians for more than four-hundred years. His untimely death gave rise to the tale of his ghostly apparition known as "The Cauld Lad O' Hylton"; or in English: "The Cold Lad of Hylton. "

According to an inquest on July 3rd, 1609, the youngster was found dead in the grounds of Hylton Castle. The inquest was informed that a local gentleman, Sir Robert Hylton of Hylton, had been cutting the grass that day when a dreadful accident happened. While swinging a scythe, Sir Robert accidentally caught Roger whilst he was standing there, striking him above the right thigh with the blade. The accident caused a mortal wound one inch long and two inches wide from which he bled to death in less than one hour. The injury, according to findings of the inquest was caused "by accident and nothing else." Needless to say, Sir Robert faced a charge of manslaughter for Roger's death, of which he was granted a free pardon in September 1609.

Since then many questions have been posed relating to Roger's death. "Why would a man like Sir Robert be cutting his own grass - surely he had servants to carry out that task?" was one of those questions - and, perhaps that question does bring light to a grizzly story. Who has ever heard of a major landholder, a Baron, cutting his own grass - that would be the job for servants at the time, not the Lord and Master of Hylton Castle? The truth is no one really knows what happened four hundred years ago, and, if it was an accident why would Roger haunt the castle?

There is of course, another version to this ghostly tale. It tells us that Roger often felt very cold in the castle, and to rectify this, he would often take a nap in the stable with the horses in order to keep warm. Sadly for the young stable lad it would lead to his demise. On July 3rd, 1609, Sir Robert gave orders that his horse should be made ready - that order was never adhered to - as poor Roger was fast asleep. Infuriated by the delay legend has it that Sir Robert visited the stable and caught Roger sleeping. Then, in using his sword, he cut off Roger's head. The young stable lad's remains were quickly discovered, and Sir Robert was charged with murder. Later, he was tried and acquitted of that dreadful crime. Roger Skelton had no known relations at that time, so no one could make a fuss - but the killing led to a local scandal and Sir Robert was forced to seek a Royal Pardon from King James the First.

This second version does bring into account doubt of the original story, and it could be said that Sir Robert concocted the "grass cutting story" in order to get himself freed at the trial - and, he succeeded in doing just that.

Soon after Roger's death strange happenings began occurring. Servants reported his ghostly appearance. They went on to report that they heard his ghost say out loud "So cold is the poor cold Lad O' Hylton." Plates and crockery would also be thrown in the kitchen, supposedly by his ghostly hand. The servant's tools would all be piled together, out of order, on the ground.

After many years of disturbances from the Cold Lad, the castle staff decided to take action and finally rid the castle of his ghost. A local sage was consulted who said the ghost was just looking for somewhere warm and safe to get rested. On the sage's advice, that night, before bed, the butler and cook left out a woollen cloak and hood, as a gift to the cold lad of hylton. The cook and butler then hid themselves. A little after midnight, the Cauld Lad O'Hylton appeared and threw the cloak over his shoulders. As he pulled the hood over his head, he laughed and sang out: "Here's a cloak, here's a hood. The Cauld Lad O'Hylton will do no more good."

Roger Skelton's ghost never returned to play pranks and such at the castle after that night - but... his ghost continued to haunt the castle for many years afterwards. Even at the beginning of the twentieth century people still said they could hear the unearthly cry of tragedy coming from the Cauld Lad O'Hylton.

Good night... and, pleasant dreams.