William Lovell built Minster Lovell Hall (pictured above) around 1440. It was abandoned in 1747 and fell into ruin. Minster Lovell Hall is now in the care of English Heritage.
According to one report a skeleton was discovered in the basement of Minster Lovell Hall in 1718. It was thought to be that of Francis Lovell who had hidden there after the Battle of Stoke, and looked after by his faithful servant. However, when the servant died, he had nobody to look after him and ultimately died of starvation. It seems unlikely this is the case as Francis Lovell spent little time in Minster Lovell and arguably would have no faithful servant there who could hide and feed him for years. The ghost that haunts the ruins is said to be Francis Lovell.
The sounds of groaning, footsteps and rustling have also been reported. Brooks also states that the Hall is haunted by a young girl who hid in an oak chest during a game of hide-and-seek. Unfortunately, she became trapped inside and suffocated before she was found.
Minster Lovell Hall,
Minster Lovell,
Oxfordshire,
OX29 0RR.
For further information, please read Haunted Britain by Antony D. Hippisley Coxe; Haunted Heritage by John Mason; Britain's Haunted Heritage by J.A. Brooks and Haunted Britain and Ireland by Richard Jones.