QUESTION
A researcher for the late Cardinal Griffin, "presented a second alternative
for the name of Borley - as being constructed from the Anglo-Saxon 'Borslea'
(meaning the land of Borl - he being a Saxon chieftain). Perhaps this is
more likely, rather than naming the place after a pig - as 'boar's lea.'"
RESPONSE
Barlea DB, Barlee 1253, Borle 1238, Borlee 1254, from the old english Bar
Leah meaning 'Boar's wood'. FoxEarth means 'Ploughed land where foxes are
common'. Pentlow is more subtle. it could be Penta's Barrow or Penta's hill.
Curiusly, Penta is a celtic word for a barrow. The church is built on an
artificial island at the bottom of the valley. In a bad flood, it is
surrounded by water. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
"Most of its four acres lay in Suffolk, but a boundary stone sat
determinedly on the lawn to show that the long garden wall and ground did,
in fact, lie in Essex.
RESPONSE
Wrong. Complete nonsense lifted from a mistake by Ivan Banks. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
There were "three traps to the roofs," not mentioned by any other writer.
RESPONSE
Nor has any other author described the small windows in the gables nor the
area in the top of the main-door turret. - Andrew Clark
QUESTION
All of these aided hoaxers in producing "psychic phenomena." Mayerling relates how "this small roof chamber came in very handy for creating 'poltergeist' effects," although this would have been limited to children,
as it took some effort to get inside. A nail on a string would be dangled to
tap on a window below, for example. "Price, myself, and others had taken a pleasurable part in some of those flights of fancy."
RESPONSE
Wrong. There were staircases up to an open attic space. Look at the map and the inventory. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Mayerling was present during an exorcism by Smith, "insidiously
recommended" by Price, who was there also. Additionally, two church wardens
were present.
There is no record of one. It needs the consent of a bishop, so there should
be a record in the diocescan offices. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Lionel wrote diaries from childhood onward. These were given to Mayerling,
partially in aid of his helping Price. Subsequently, they were given to
Trevor Hall.
RESPONSE
If only he had! - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Others have wondered if a member of the clergy would have taken such an
active part in a purposeful hoax.
RESPONSE
Yes they do. I have several very dubious examples in my library. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Lionel "was in constant need of his wheelchair" at Borley. Purchased with
the help of Mayerling from a shop in New Portland Street, London.
RESPONSE
I think, towards the end, it is true, and there is a picture of him in it in
Underwood's book. It is also true that the hauntings stopped as soon as he
was wheelchair-bound. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Lionel was addicted to opium.
RESPONSE
This is unlikely. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Marianne and camera salesman Willie der Herberg "eloped" to London. Their
flat was previously acquired by Mayerling for der Herberg.
RESPONSE
He told you it was Rayne Road, Braintree. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Foyster built a home for the Fishers.
RESPONSE
On £6 per week? - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Harry did not mention Mabel or his other sisters and brothers in his will.
RESPONSE
True. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
The Borley "treasure" was polished by the children and kept in the crypt
under the church.
RESPONSE
No local churches had such quantities of treasure. I thought that Harry kept
it in a safe in the cellar, according to Mayerling. I don't believe there
ever was any treasure. It was always a poor parish without lavish bequests. - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
Playing the piano through the grills on either side of the fireplace.
RESPONSE
They aren't any grills. Look at the photos [he has included]! - Andrew Clarke
QUESTION
A shelf on the arch outside the blue room, was
used to place vases so they could be dislodged in order to pitch them down the stairs.
RESPONSE
There was no such shelf. - Andrew Clarke