The Green Lady

By: Libby Pelham BA - Updated: 5 Jan 2024 | *Discuss

 

The Green Lady is a spirit native to the British Isles that has been described in many different ways. Some that have seen her describe her as beautiful and protective but others have said she is a demon that will suck your blood. Most of the more heinous descriptions are found in Highland tales. They speak of her as being covered with hair under her gown and having a goat-like body, perhaps even hooves instead of feet. This is similar to another Highland spirit, the Glaistig. These spirits are also protective, but dislike dogs and prefer to be left alone.

It is believed that the Green Lady is similar to the Irish Banshee, not quite human, but not quite a ghost either. Some think she is a human who is under a spell, while others even think she is a fairy.

Description

She always wears a green gown that touches the ground, hence the name Green Lady. There have been reports of her showing up dripping wet at a cottage door. She asks to come in to warm herself and dry her clothing. If she feels welcome in the home, she may stay a while and protect that particular house as well as the family that lives in it. If the family moves from the home, she stays behind to protect the next family. It is said that she is also very helpful to farmers. She has been known to protect cattle by herding them into the barn to protect them from a storm or other enemies.

Castles

The castle at Caerphilly is just north of Cardiff in Wales and it too has a Green Lady. She appears as ivy that surrounds the castle, but if you appear closely, she will move a bit. If she thinks you can see her, she emerges as the Green Lady. If she feels welcome and likes you, she will extend her hand to greet you then disappear.

The Green Lady of the Stirling Castle in Central Scotland is believed to be either an attendant of Mary, Queen of Scots, or the daughter of a governor of the castle. The attendant legend says that the attendant dreamed the Queen was in danger and rushed to her bedside, only to find her bed curtains ablaze. She managed to rescue the Queen who later said she had recalled a prophecy that she would be endangered by a fire while at the castle. The governor’s daughter legend says that she was to marry an officer that was stationed there until her father accidentally killed him. Filled with grief, she threw herself off the battlement to the rocks below.

There are many reports of Green Ladies in the British Isles, many associated with castles. Whether they are the tragic ghosts or humans who have been cast under a spell, they are mostly benevolent spirits that tend to look out for those in the castles or homes.

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