The Lady

The enigmatic female spirit known simply as ‘The Lady’ embodies the profound emotional legacy of The Oxenham Arms, representing centuries of feminine presence that has shaped this ancient building’s character. Her mysterious identity and gentle manifestations make her one of Devon’s most compelling unidentified spirits, connecting visitors to the countless women whose lives have intertwined with this remarkable site over five centuries of continuous occupation.

A Mystery Spanning Centuries

Unlike the Benedictine monk whose religious identity provides clear historical context, The Lady’s origins remain tantalizingly obscure, creating a haunting puzzle that spans multiple periods of the building’s extraordinary history. Her presence speaks to the accumulated emotional experiences of generations of women who have called The Oxenham Arms home, from noble ladies to servants, from innkeepers’ wives to weary travellers seeking refuge.

The Lady’s identity could encompass any number of significant female figures from the building’s documented past. She might represent a member of the Oxenham family who owned the manor from 1451, possibly Elizabeth Oxenham, wife of John Oxenham and mother to the famous sea captain. The emotional weight of raising a son destined for adventure and tragedy could explain the maternal qualities many witnesses describe.

Alternatively, her origins might trace to the earlier Burgoyne family period (1300s-1451), when wealthy French shipping merchants transformed the site from its claimed monastic origins into a grand manor house. The Burgoyne women would have overseen the daily management of a substantial household, creating patterns of care and responsibility that might echo through the centuries.

Some researchers speculate that The Lady could even predate the documented history, possibly connected to whatever religious community may have occupied the site during its claimed monastic period. Medieval monasteries often employed women for various domestic duties, and the emotional attachments formed to sacred spaces could transcend death itself.

Feminine Manifestations and Presence

The Lady’s supernatural activity manifests through distinctly feminine phenomena that contrast markedly with the monk’s heavier, more deliberate appearances. Witnesses consistently describe the delicate sound of feminine footsteps - often characterized as the soft tapping of small shoes or slippers moving across the ancient stone floors. These sounds possess a lighter quality than the monk’s sandaled steps, creating an entirely different atmospheric presence that many find more intimate and emotionally affecting.

Her footsteps typically occur during the quieter evening hours when the building settles into contemplative stillness. The sounds move through corridors and rooms with purposeful but unhurried grace, suggesting someone familiar with every corner of the ancient structure. Some guests describe the footsteps as almost musical in their rhythm, creating a gentle percussion that seems to harmonize with the building’s natural settling sounds.

The Lady’s presence extends beyond auditory phenomena to encompass subtle environmental changes that speak to her intelligent awareness. Guests report sudden temperature variations in specific rooms, often described as warm, comforting embraces rather than the typical cold spots associated with paranormal activity. Some describe detecting the faint scent of lavender or other period-appropriate perfumes, though these experiences remain too subtle and brief to document conclusively.

Her manifestations often include gentle movements of objects or fabrics - curtains swaying without drafts, bed linens appearing to be adjusted by invisible hands, or doors closing softly as if someone has just passed through. These activities suggest a spirit still engaged in domestic care, maintaining the ancient tradition of hospitality that has defined The Oxenham Arms for over five centuries.

Emotional Intelligence and Human Connection

What distinguishes The Lady from typical residual hauntings is her apparent emotional intelligence and active engagement with living occupants. Staff members report that her activity intensifies during periods of heightened human emotion - weddings, celebrations, times of grief, or significant personal milestones. This pattern suggests a spirit deeply attuned to the emotional rhythms of human life, maintaining connections that transcend death.

Families traveling with children frequently report sensing a protective, maternal presence during their stays. Parents describe feeling unexpectedly comfortable leaving children unattended in rooms where The Lady’s presence is strongest, as if an invisible guardian watches over them. Some children, more sensitive to spiritual presences, speak of sensing a ‘nice lady’ who makes them feel safe, though visual sightings remain extremely rare.

The Lady appears particularly responsive to women experiencing significant life transitions. Brides staying at the inn before weddings often report sensing a supportive presence, while women grieving losses describe feeling unexpectedly comforted during difficult periods. This emotional attunement suggests a spirit who retains deep empathy for human experiences, particularly those that echo her own earthly concerns.

Her protective qualities extend to all guests, but staff members note that her presence becomes most pronounced during times when visitors face emotional challenges or uncertainty. Some describe receiving gentle guidance during difficult decisions, while others report sensing encouragement during moments of doubt or fear.

Historical Connections and Possible Identities

The Lady’s mysterious identity invites speculation across multiple periods of The Oxenham Arms’ documented history. If connected to the Oxenham family, she could represent Elizabeth Oxenham, whose husband John established the inn’s licence in 1477. The emotional weight of transforming a family manor into a public establishment, combined with raising children including the future sea captain John Oxenham, could create spiritual attachments strong enough to transcend death.

The birth of Captain John Oxenham in 1530 adds another layer of possibility. A mother watching her son depart for dangerous maritime adventures with Sir Francis Drake might develop protective instincts that persist beyond mortal life. The fact that John Oxenham never returned from his final voyage - executed as ‘England’s first pirate’ in Lima in 1580 - could explain the Lady’s continued vigilance over all who enter her domain.

Alternative theories connect her to the inn’s later operational periods, when countless women worked as servants, cooks, or housekeepers. The demanding nature of 16th and 17th-century hospitality required enormous dedication from female staff, creating emotional bonds to the building that might endure after death. The Lady’s domestic-oriented manifestations - adjusting linens, ensuring guest comfort, maintaining household order - support this interpretation.

More intriguing possibilities connect her to the building’s earlier history, potentially to women associated with the claimed Benedictine monastery. Medieval religious houses often employed local women for cooking, cleaning, and other essential services. The spiritual atmosphere of monastic life, combined with daily service in a sacred space, could forge connections powerful enough to maintain after death.

Modern Encounters and Contemporary Significance

Contemporary guests describe encounters with The Lady that follow remarkably consistent patterns across decades of reported activity. Her presence typically announces itself through gentle footsteps moving through evening corridors, followed by subtle environmental changes that create atmospheres of comfort and protection rather than fear or unease.

Staff members, intimately familiar with the building’s supernatural residents, speak of The Lady with genuine affection and respect. They describe her as an integral part of The Oxenham Arms’ character, contributing to the sense of welcome and care that defines the establishment’s reputation. Some report sensing her approval during well-executed service or feeling her presence during important hotel events.

The Lady’s enduring presence serves as a powerful reminder of the feminine contributions to The Oxenham Arms’ five-century history of hospitality. Whether she represents a specific historical figure or embodies the collective spirit of countless women who have loved and cared for this ancient building, her gentle guardianship continues to enrich the experiences of all who encounter her.

For visitors seeking connection with the deep feminine wisdom accumulated within these ancient walls, The Lady offers a profound reminder that love, care, and protection transcend the boundaries of mortality. Her presence transforms The Oxenham Arms from merely a historic building into a living testament to the enduring power of feminine devotion and the eternal nature of hospitality freely given.