Old Madam - The Protective Matriarch

In the pantheon of English country house ghosts, few spirits command as much respect and affection as Margaret Gould, the formidable matriarch known affectionately as “Old Madam”. Her story is one of devotion, determination, and an unbreakable bond with Lewtrenchard Manor that death itself could not sever. When she died in 1794, she left behind not only a rescued estate but also a legacy of protective vigilance that continues to manifest in supernatural form.

Margaret Gould assumed control of Lewtrenchard Manor during one of the darkest periods in the family’s history. Her son, Captain Edward Gould, nicknamed “The Scamp” for his dissolute behavior, had systematically squandered the family fortune through compulsive gambling. His reckless lifestyle had culminated in murder - he had dressed as a highwayman to rob a gambling opponent, shooting the man dead when he resisted. Although Edward escaped the gallows through legal manipulation, the cost of his defence left the family financially ruined.

Into this crisis stepped Margaret, displaying the kind of steel determination and business acumen that was remarkable for any person of her era, let alone a woman. With methodical precision, she set about rebuilding the family’s fortunes. She managed properties, negotiated debts, and made strategic decisions that slowly but surely restored Lewtrenchard Manor to prosperity. By the time of her death in 1794, she had not only paid off her son’s debts but had considerably improved the estate’s condition.

The depth of Margaret’s attachment to Lewtrenchard Manor cannot be overstated. Every decision she made, every sacrifice she endured, was motivated by her determination to preserve the family seat for future generations. Those who knew her spoke of her genuine fondness for the property, describing how she would walk through its rooms and corridors with the satisfied air of someone who had found their true purpose in life. This profound emotional connection would prove to be the foundation of her posthumous return.

Almost immediately following Margaret’s death, reports began to emerge of a spectral figure wandering the manor’s Long Gallery. Witnesses described a woman of dignified bearing, often seen pacing the length of the gallery as if conducting some eternal patrol. The spirit consistently appeared as what locals termed a “White Lady”, though her manifestation was distinguished by an unusual phosphorescent light that seemed to emanate from her form, creating an otherworldly luminescence that set her apart from ordinary apparitions.

One of the most frequently reported phenomena associated with Old Madam involves her being seen combing her long brown hair with a silver comb. This intimate detail, observed by multiple witnesses over the years, suggests a spirit comfortable in her surroundings, maintaining the personal habits of life even in death. The image of this elegant woman, taking care of her appearance whilst keeping watch over her domain, reinforces the sense that she never truly left Lewtrenchard Manor.

What truly distinguishes Margaret’s haunting is its protective and interactive nature. Unlike many ghosts that seem oblivious to the living, Old Madam actively engages with events in her domain. Local folklore is rich with accounts of her confrontational encounters with those she perceives as threats to the property. One well-documented story tells of a young girl caught stealing apples from the manor’s orchard. According to witnesses, the spectral figure of Old Madam appeared and confronted the child, forcing her to empty her pockets and return every stolen piece of fruit before allowing her to leave.

Perhaps the most dramatic account of Old Madam’s protective nature involves a carpenter who made the mistake of opening her family vault in the local church. The man later claimed that upon lifting the coffin lid, Margaret sat up, opened her eyes, and rose to her feet. The terrified carpenter fled, but Margaret’s spirit reportedly followed him all the way to his home, emanating that characteristic intense phosphorescent light as a clear warning against future disturbances.

The Baring-Gould family, who inherited the manor through Margaret’s daughter’s marriage, became well acquainted with their predecessor’s continuing presence. Multiple generations of the family reported encounters with Old Madam, particularly during times when the estate faced challenges or changes. Her appearances seemed to coincide with moments when her protective oversight was most needed, suggesting an intelligence and awareness that extends beyond mere residual energy.

Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould, the noted folklorist and writer who extensively documented supernatural traditions, was particularly fascinated by Old Madam’s manifestations. As someone who spent decades collecting ghost stories and folklore, he was uniquely positioned to observe and analyse the phenomena occurring in his own home. His scholarly interest in the supernatural, combined with his personal experiences of Old Madam’s presence, contributed to the detailed preservation of her story.

The Long Gallery remains the primary location associated with Old Madam’s appearances, and it’s easy to understand why this space would hold special significance for her. With its leather-bound books and remarkable wooden ceiling, the gallery represents the heart of the manor’s intellectual and cultural life. For a woman who had fought so hard to preserve the family’s heritage, this repository of knowledge and tradition would naturally draw her protective attention.

Modern accounts of Old Madam’s presence continue to emerge, though they tend to be more subtle than the dramatic confrontations of earlier centuries. Guests at the manor hotel sometimes report feeling a watchful presence, particularly in the Long Gallery and surrounding corridors. Staff members occasionally describe unexplained incidents that seem consistent with a benevolent but vigilant oversight, such as doors found mysteriously locked in areas containing valuable items, or the sense of being observed whilst working in historically significant parts of the building.

The enduring nature of Margaret Gould’s haunting speaks to the power of devotion and responsibility to transcend death itself. Her spirit embodies the concept of the protective ancestor, the matriarch whose love for her family and home creates an unbreakable bond that persists beyond the grave. In a world where many hauntings are characterised by tragedy or unfinished business, Old Madam represents something more positive - the continuation of care and vigilance motivated by genuine love and dedication.

Visitors to Lewtrenchard Manor today can still sense the atmosphere that Old Madam’s presence has helped preserve. The manor retains an aura of being well-cared for, protected, and loved - qualities that reflect Margaret’s ongoing influence over the property she fought so hard to save. Her ghost story is ultimately one of triumph over adversity, of love conquering death, and of the profound connections that can exist between a person and the place they call home.