Fitz

Unfortunately, it does seem that whatever the generations of landlords were worried about releasing from the fireplace of the inn, whether that be devil, ghost or just plain old bad luck, in some way it did come to pass, for very sadly the inn stands no more.

Unfortunately, it does seem that whatever the generations of landlords were worried about releasing from the fireplace of the inn, whether that be devil, ghost or just plain old bad luck, in some way it did come to pass, for very sadly the inn stands no more.

But if you do find yourself driving along Saltergate on a night when the full moon lights the devil's punchbowl with a silvery glow, maybe cast a quick glance across the moors as you pass the rubbled foundations where the inn stood for 370 years and see if you can spot the eerie figure of a little girl in a crinoline dress. And if you do, will you stop and ask her why she's crying?

But if you do find yourself driving along Saltergate on a night when the full moon lights the devil's punchbowl with a silvery glow, maybe cast a quick glance across the moors as you pass the rubbled foundations where the inn stood for 370 years and see if you can spot the eerie figure of a little girl in a crinoline dress. And if you do, will you stop and ask her why she's crying?

or will you look nervously back in your rearview mirror until you reach civilization and now we will leave the desolate and haunted moors and head back to whitby one final time to visit a 16th century hall and tell you the story of the swashbuckling ghost

or will you look nervously back in your rearview mirror until you reach civilization and now we will leave the desolate and haunted moors and head back to whitby one final time to visit a 16th century hall and tell you the story of the swashbuckling ghost

Now, Brown Bushel was quite the character. His story reads more like a fairy tale than real life, though the ending is certainly not the Disney version. Brown appears at first glance to have been dealt a very good hand at the time of his birth, at least financially.

Now, Brown Bushel was quite the character. His story reads more like a fairy tale than real life, though the ending is certainly not the Disney version. Brown appears at first glance to have been dealt a very good hand at the time of his birth, at least financially.

His father Nicholas, whilst the youngest of four sons of a wealthy local merchant, was prosperous enough to buy Bagdale Hall in 1596, and in 1601 married Dorothy Chumley, the daughter of Sir Henry Chumley, whose family were the most affluent in Whitby at the time.

His father Nicholas, whilst the youngest of four sons of a wealthy local merchant, was prosperous enough to buy Bagdale Hall in 1596, and in 1601 married Dorothy Chumley, the daughter of Sir Henry Chumley, whose family were the most affluent in Whitby at the time.

I very much doubt that the match was one that Dorothy chose herself, as she was only 14 when she was married to Nicholas, who was 36 years her elder, a fact that was quite rightfully lambasted in the diaries of Lady Margaret Hobie, the earliest known diary of a woman written in English.

I very much doubt that the match was one that Dorothy chose herself, as she was only 14 when she was married to Nicholas, who was 36 years her elder, a fact that was quite rightfully lambasted in the diaries of Lady Margaret Hobie, the earliest known diary of a woman written in English.

But, unhappy match aside, Nicholas and Dorothy would go on to have four surviving children, of which Brown was the eldest. Being the eldest son of a wealthy family, Brown is likely to have grown up expecting to inherit a substantial fortune along with Bagdale Hall. But he was, in fact, to inherit neither.

But, unhappy match aside, Nicholas and Dorothy would go on to have four surviving children, of which Brown was the eldest. Being the eldest son of a wealthy family, Brown is likely to have grown up expecting to inherit a substantial fortune along with Bagdale Hall. But he was, in fact, to inherit neither.

His father's fortunes took somewhat of a downturn and he was forced to sell Bagdale Hall amongst other properties. Author of the paper Captain Brown Bushel, North Sea adventurer and pirate, Jack Binns, puts it very eloquently when he writes, When he died in his eighties in 1632, Nicholas Bushel might have been still regarded as a gentleman, but by then he had lost the means of one.

His father's fortunes took somewhat of a downturn and he was forced to sell Bagdale Hall amongst other properties. Author of the paper Captain Brown Bushel, North Sea adventurer and pirate, Jack Binns, puts it very eloquently when he writes, When he died in his eighties in 1632, Nicholas Bushel might have been still regarded as a gentleman, but by then he had lost the means of one.

In fact, we have a lot to thank the author of that particular paper for, as they did a fantastic job of trawling through the historical record and clearing up the many misconceptions about Brown Bushel that seem to have plagued his legacy. But we'll come to those later.

In fact, we have a lot to thank the author of that particular paper for, as they did a fantastic job of trawling through the historical record and clearing up the many misconceptions about Brown Bushel that seem to have plagued his legacy. But we'll come to those later.

At the age of 22, Brown found himself in a very similar situation to his father, a gentleman in name but without a home or a weighty purse. He did still have a family connection to the Chumleys, which would become important to him a little later, but he had little else. So, like in many a fairy tale, he set out to make his own fame and fortune, and he did so by joining the military.

At the age of 22, Brown found himself in a very similar situation to his father, a gentleman in name but without a home or a weighty purse. He did still have a family connection to the Chumleys, which would become important to him a little later, but he had little else. So, like in many a fairy tale, he set out to make his own fame and fortune, and he did so by joining the military.