Screaming Skulls

 The phenomenon of screaming skulls appears more often in stories than previously believed. Even today, various cultures have the custom of mummifying the heads of deceased relatives and keeping them as souvenirs in their homes.

Sir Henry Griffith built Burton Agnes Hall in Humberside for his family in 1590. His daughter, Anne Griffith, is said to have asked him to keep her skull in the house after her death as a memento of her deceased daughter. Her request was granted, and her skull was guarded in the building for many years. This family heirloom was considered "inconvenient" by a new generation, and from that time on, attempts were made to remove Anne Griffith's skull from the building. Terrifying screams were emitted by the skull as it was removed from the house, and it continued to scream until it was placed in its proper place. Only later, in 1900, was a solution found for this inconvenient legacy of the Griffith family. The skull was embedded in the wall of a building and found its final resting place there. This solution ultimately brought peace to the house.

Another story revolves around the skull of Theophil Broome. This man's grave is located in the village cemetery in Chilton Cantelo, Somerset, England. The tombstone dates from 1670, and it was here that Theophil found his final resting place. However, not his entire body… his skull had been hidden in Broome's closet for over 300 years. The hero of this tale, lying on his deathbed, supposedly begged for his head to be treated in this way. However, living with the knowledge that the deceased's skull was nearby meant that his heirs repeatedly attempted to return this body part to its proper grave, but the attempt ended in failure, and more than once.

Theophilus's tombstone reads that "terrifying sounds, heralding distress," echoed throughout the town. Initially, peace returned when the skull was returned to its intended place.

The skull of a Roman Catholic priest is kept at Wardley Hall in Manchester. In 1641, the priest was killed for treason. For a long time, the skull was kept in one of Manchester's church towers, but was later buried in the cemetery. This skull, too, was said to have emitted terrifying sounds when attempts were made to remove it from the tower. The inclement weather was also blamed on it. Only when the skull was returned to its proper place did peace return, according to researcher Eric Maple.

Bettiscombe in Dorset also holds such a mysterious skull, which belonged to the Pinney family. It dates back to the 17th century. The family was initially forced from their permanent residence due to a rebellion. However, when they managed to return, John Frederic Pinney found a small child who had become a slave. This slave gained John's trust, and John, in turn, promised him his estate. Unfortunately, John died quickly, and no one in the family fulfilled the promise Pinney had made to his slave. When the wronged man died, he was buried near his master, and that's when it all began... Bad weather destroyed the crops, and the family's fortunes grew worse... Terrifying screams could also be heard, and one thing was certain: they were coming from the grave of the deceased slave.

The remains of the deceased were soon unearthed, and the skull was taken home to give it a place in its own neighborhood. Strangely enough, after this act, the screams stopped, the weather calmed, and all misfortune vanished. Michael Pinney, one of the family members, told this story to anyone who dared to raise a hand to the skull.

"The House of the Screaming Skull," as the family home is known today. Once, the skull was buried nine feet underground, and the next day it was back in its place in the house, where it still stands today.

There are many possible explanations for how these stories might have originated. In past centuries, animals and humans were embedded in buildings to appease the gods. Skulls of the dead also held great significance for the Celts, who kept them as important family heirlooms or dedicated them to the gods.

Whatever the origin of these skulls, they have one thing in common: they resisted removal from their designated places.