The Cauld Lad of Hylton
The Cauld Lad of Hylton is a ghost story set against the backdrop of Hylton Castle. As with many tales it has a few variations, but I have added my favourite one for you here.
The Origin Story
This version of the story has the stable boy Robert falling in love with the Earls of Hylton's daughter, or he overslept and did not get the Earls horse ready in time. Either way the Earl was so enraged that he stabbed the poor boy with a pitchfork and killed him. Then he disposed of his body either in a pond or in a well.
Not long after he was killed, his voice was heard around the castle crying "Aa'm cauld! Aa'm cauld!" (I'm cold, I'm cold)
So did the Earl of Hylton pay for his crime? Of course not! There was a trial but he got off after another servant testified that the boy had died in an accident (and thrown himself in a well I'm guessing!)
Key Locations
Hylton Castle is a stone castle in the North Hylton area of Sunderland. Originally built from wood by the Hilton family shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, it was later rebuilt in stone in the late 14th to early 15th century
Hylton Castle
The monastery at Jarrow was one of Europe's most influential centres of learning and culture in the 7th century. The remains standing today are from the medieval monastery, but part of the Anglo-Saxon monastery survives today as the chancel of St Paul's Church.
St. Paul Monastery
The ruins of the great medieval monastic church rise amid intriguing tombstones of Tynemouth mariners. Look out for the priory’s greatest treasure, the tiny 15th-century ‘Percy Chantry’ chapel, with a beautiful rose window and a vaulted roof crowded with carved saints.
Tynemouth Priory and Castle