The Jarman Murder Victims

The Legend and Its Origins

The Ostrich Inn is steeped in one of England’s most notorious and enduring ghost stories - the tale of John Jarman and his wife, who allegedly murdered over 60 wealthy travellers during what various sources claim was either the 12th, 14th, or 17th centuries. This dark legend has become deeply embedded in the inn’s identity and local folklore, attracting paranormal investigators and ghost hunters from across the world.

According to the traditional story, innkeeper John Jarman and his wife devised a horrific murder method specifically targeting wealthy travellers. They supposedly modified one of their best bedrooms - known as the Blue Room - installing a hinged bed over a trap door that led directly to the kitchen below, where a large vat of boiling liquid awaited unsuspecting victims. The couple would allegedly ply guests with strong ale before offering them their finest accommodation. When a prosperous guest retired for the night, Jarman would signal to his wife with the coded phrase “there’s a fat pig available if you want one,” to which she would respond “put him in the sty till tomorrow.” They would then activate their deadly mechanism, sending the sleeping victim plunging to their death in the scalding cauldron below.

Academic Concerns and Historical Analysis

However, modern historians and researchers have raised significant questions about the authenticity of this tale. The story’s origins can be traced directly to Thomas Deloney’s 1598 novel “Thomas of Reading,” one of Britain’s earliest works of fiction. Deloney, a Norfolk silk-weaver turned writer, set his fictional murder tale at an inn he called “The Crane” in Colnbrook, featuring a landlord named “Iarman.”

Historian Mike Dash and paranormal researcher MJ Wayland have extensively investigated the claims, finding no contemporary historical records of:

• John Jarman or his wife’s existence
• Any documented murders at the inn during the alleged periods
• Court records of their trial or execution
• Archaeological evidence of the trap-door mechanism

As Wayland notes in his research, “The one and true, original source of the Jarman couple murdering people can be found in Thomas Deloney’s novel, ‘Thomas of Reading’… My argument is that this is not a true relation of a real incident that took place – the book is a novel, not history.”

The Cultural Impact and Lasting Legacy

Despite these scholarly concerns, the Jarman murder story has become an integral part of The Ostrich Inn’s cultural heritage and the wider folklore of Colnbrook. The tale has inspired numerous retellings, influenced the Sweeney Todd legend, and continues to attract visitors seeking encounters with the supernatural. The story represents a fascinating example of how literary fiction can evolve into accepted local history over centuries.

Modern Paranormal Activity

Whilst the historical accuracy of the Jarman murders remains disputed, The Ostrich Inn undeniably experiences significant paranormal activity that numerous witnesses have documented. Staff members, guests, and paranormal investigators have reported consistent supernatural phenomena, particularly in and around Room 11 (the alleged Blue Room) and the areas above the original kitchen.

Current manager Sarah Morgan, with over 12 years of experience at the inn, has witnessed unexplained phenomena including figures in white clothing, sensations of being prodded in the cellar, and mysterious sounds throughout the building. During the 2002 ‘Most Haunted’ investigation, medium Derek Acorah claimed to make contact with murder victims, though this occurred within the context of the television programme’s methodology.

The Atmospheric Presence

Whether the murder victims are historical fact or products of collective belief, something undeniably haunts The Ostrich Inn. Guests frequently report disturbing dreams, feelings of being watched, and sensations of oppressive dread, particularly in Room 11. The consistent nature of these reports - spanning decades and coming from independent witnesses - suggests that the inn harbours genuine paranormal activity, regardless of the historical veracity of its origin story.

Witnesses describe seeing shadowy figures in period dress, feeling sudden temperature drops, and experiencing the sensation of invisible presences moving through the ancient rooms. Some visitors report hearing the sounds of dripping liquid in areas where no plumbing exists, whilst others describe feeling the weight of unseen figures sitting on beds or moving about the chambers.

The Enduring Mystery

The question of whether the Jarman murder victims represent actual historical spirits or manifestations born from centuries of belief and storytelling remains one of The Ostrich Inn’s most compelling mysteries. What cannot be disputed is the inn’s reputation as one of England’s most haunted locations, where the boundary between history and legend, fact and fiction, continues to blur in the flickering shadows of its ancient corridors.