Betty Price

The legend of Betty Price represents one of England’s most enduring ghost stories, though historical records do not document her as a real individual. The tale appears to conflate different periods of witch persecution, with various accounts placing her story in either 1603 or the 1640s during Matthew Hopkins’ witch-hunting campaign.

Separating Fact from Folklore

What can be historically verified:

• The George Hotel has operated continuously as an inn since 1293
• The building was remodeled and called “The George Inn” in the 16th century
• Its location close to the Thames and River Pang confluence creates flood-prone conditions
• Witch persecution occurred throughout England during both the early 1600s and Civil War period

What remains unverified folklore:

• Betty Price’s existence as a historical individual
• The specific 1603 date often cited for her death
• Claims about cellars being “filled in” to prevent flooding
• Her direct connection to Matthew Hopkins’ witch-hunting campaign

The Historical Context of Witch Persecution

The Betty Price legend draws upon authentic historical patterns of witch persecution. During the early 17th century, accusations typically targeted women living alone, particularly widows with knowledge of herbal remedies. The 1603 Witchcraft Act made witchcraft punishable by death, formalising legal persecution.

Later, Matthew Hopkins (c. 1620-1647) conducted his documented campaign primarily across East Anglia between 1644 and 1647. His methods included sleep deprivation, forced walking until confession, and the “swimming test”—where suspected witches were bound and thrown into water. Historical records show Hopkins and his associate John Stearne were responsible for approximately 300 executions, predominantly of women from rural communities. However, Hopkins operated mainly in Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, not Berkshire.

The Drowning in the Flooded Cellars

According to local folklore, Betty Price sought refuge in the cellars beneath The George Inn whilst fleeing witch persecution. Research sources consistently describe her tragic end: she was discovered by inn staff during cellar flooding, barely recognisable and surviving on rats in the waterlogged basement.

The Thames Flooding Reality: The inn’s location at the confluence of the River Pang and Thames creates genuinely flood-prone conditions that persist today. Multiple sources describe how the cellars “flooded regularly” due to this riverside position, making Betty’s drowning tragically plausible within the building’s authentic historical context.

The Curse Before Death: Before succumbing to the rising waters, folklore states that Betty pronounced a powerful curse upon the innkeeper and all who had participated in revealing her hiding place to the authorities. Some accounts suggest she was already familiar to the inn’s owners, indicating possible local knowledge of her alleged witchcraft activities.

While the drowning element aligns with the building’s documented flood-prone location and contemporary sources describing regular cellar flooding, Betty Price herself remains a figure of legend rather than historical record.

Separating Legend from Historical Context

Authentic Historical Elements: While Betty Price remains unverified, the legend incorporates genuine historical realities. The George Hotel’s continuous operation since 1293 is documented, and its location creates the flood-prone conditions central to the story. Witch persecution was indeed prevalent in early 17th-century England, particularly targeting women living alone or practicing herbal medicine.

The 1603 Witchcraft Act Context: Several sources reference 1603 as significant to Betty’s story, coinciding with James I’s new Witchcraft Act that made witchcraft a felony punishable by death. This legal framework created the persecution environment that the legend describes, even if Betty herself cannot be historically verified.

Flood Management Realities: Research sources consistently describe the cellars as flooding “regularly” due to the Thames proximity, supporting the drowning narrative. However, claims about cellars being “filled in” to prevent flooding appear in some sources but contradict practical flood management—such measures would not prevent building flooding and could worsen drainage issues.

The Enduring Legend and Modern Accounts

Despite the lack of historical documentation for Betty Price as an individual, paranormal accounts attributed to her spirit continue at The George Hotel, now recognised as one of Berkshire’s most haunted locations. These modern reports typically describe encounters with a vengeful female presence in period dress, often associated with water-related phenomena.

Conflicting Accounts and Sources: Research reveals notable variations in the Betty Price story. Some sources describe her as being captured and put on trial, whilst others consistently state she died whilst hiding and was never formally prosecuted. One source incorrectly names her “Betty White,” though most sources consistently refer to “Betty Price.” These variations suggest the legend has evolved through oral tradition, with different storytellers emphasising different elements.

Folklore Rooted in Reality: While Betty Price herself remains unverified, the legend incorporates authentic historical elements: genuine flood risks from the Thames/River Pang confluence, documented patterns of witch persecution, and the hotel’s verified medieval origins. This combination of real historical context with unverifiable specific claims is typical of how compelling folklore develops and persists.

The story ultimately represents how local communities preserve memories of historical trauma through legend, even when specific individuals and events cannot be historically documented.