Alice Catherine Millar

The Tragic History of Alice Miller

Alice Catherine Millar was a hard-working chambermaid at the Brook Red Lion Hotel during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War in the 1630s. Working as domestic staff in a 15th-century coaching inn would have been demanding labour, with Alice likely responsible for maintaining guest chambers, changing linens, and ensuring the comfort of travellers who frequented this busy establishment on Colchester’s High Street.

The Brook Red Lion Hotel, constructed in 1465, served as a crucial stopover for coaches travelling between London and the eastern counties. As one of the oldest inns in Colchester - Britain’s oldest recorded town - it attracted merchants, soldiers, and gentlemen of standing. It was within this environment that Alice’s tragic fate would unfold.

According to historical accounts preserved in local sources, Alice discovered she was pregnant by an influential figure - likely a gentleman of high social standing who frequented the inn. In the rigid social hierarchy of 17th-century England, such a scandal would have threatened both the man’s reputation and Alice’s very survival. The circumstances surrounding her murder suggest this pregnancy became a dangerous liability.

The murder itself occurred either in 1633 or 1638 - sources vary, though most contemporary accounts favour 1638. Alice was found brutally killed, with some accounts suggesting she was stabbed to death in her own room. The violence of her death and the circumstances surrounding it created the conditions for what would become one of England’s most persistent hauntings.

The Bricked-Up Room

Alice’s death was so traumatic that her presence began manifesting almost immediately. By the 1800s, her ghostly appearances had become so frequent and terrifying that the then-owner of the Red Lion Hotel took the extraordinary step of having the doorway to Alice’s former room permanently bricked up. This dramatic measure speaks to the intensity of the haunting - innkeepers in this period were typically reluctant to acknowledge supernatural activity for fear of frightening away paying customers.

The sealing of Alice’s room was intended to contain her spirit, but instead created one of the most distinctive aspects of her haunting. Witnesses consistently report seeing Alice’s figure walking directly through the bricked-up wall where her doorway once stood, as if the physical barrier means nothing to her restless spirit.

Modern Encounters with Alice

Contemporary accounts of Alice’s presence are remarkably consistent with historical descriptions, suggesting an intelligent haunting that has maintained its characteristics for over 200 years. Hotel staff and guests report encounters primarily in rooms 5, 6, and 10, with room 10 being particularly active according to some sources.

One of the most detailed modern encounters was experienced by an assistant manager at the hotel. Awakening in the early hours of the morning, he felt what he described as “a strong bolt of electricity” through his body. As he gazed around his room, he witnessed an old rocking chair begin to move back and forth. To his amazement, a woman slowly materialised in the chair. She spoke to him directly, asking if he was alright. When he replied “yes,” she nodded and slowly vanished, leaving the chair still rocking.

This encounter is particularly significant as it demonstrates Alice’s caring nature - even in death, she appears concerned for the wellbeing of those around her. Multiple sources describe her as a conscientious spirit who continues to worry about both guests and staff, checking on their welfare as she might have done in life.

Kitchen and Bar Activity

Alice’s presence extends beyond the guest rooms to the working areas of the hotel. Kitchen staff report having their hair pulled by unseen hands and hearing whispers in their ears whilst going about their duties. These occurrences typically happen during quiet periods when staff are working alone, suggesting Alice may be seeking attention or attempting communication.

A particularly intriguing incident occurred in the bar area, which sits below where Alice’s room once was. A night watchman discovered that cushions in the seating area had been carefully stacked up, despite being in their proper places moments before during his previous round. This methodical arrangement suggests intelligent activity rather than random poltergeist behaviour.

Physical Evidence and Documentation

One guest reported capturing the voice of a woman on a video recording made in her room, providing potential electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) evidence of Alice’s presence. Such recordings are particularly valuable to paranormal researchers as they offer measurable data rather than subjective experiences.

The hotel’s management has documented Alice’s activity for decades, with some sources indicating that for over 200 years, there was an instant dismissal rule for any employees caught mentioning the ghosts to guests. This policy suggests the haunting was well-established and considered problematic for business - though in modern times, Alice’s presence has become a selling point rather than a liability.

Alice’s Continuing Presence

Unlike many historical hauntings that fade over time, Alice’s presence appears as strong today as it was in the 1800s. The hotel now embraces its ghostly residents, with Alice featuring prominently in ghost hunt events and paranormal investigations. Her story has been featured in numerous publications and television programmes, cementing her status as one of England’s most documented historical ghosts.

Staff members continue to report encounters with Alice, describing her as a benevolent presence despite the violent circumstances of her death. Guests who experience her manifestations typically describe feeling watched over rather than threatened, suggesting Alice has found some measure of peace whilst remaining tied to the place where she lived and died.

The Enduring Mystery

Alice Catherine Millar’s story represents more than just a ghost tale - it illuminates the precarious position of working women in 17th-century England and the tragic consequences that could befall those who crossed social boundaries. Her continued presence at the Brook Red Lion Hotel serves as a reminder of her brief life and violent death, whilst her caring interactions with the living suggest a spirit that remains fundamentally unchanged by the trauma she endured.

Whether one believes in ghosts or not, Alice’s story has become an integral part of the Brook Red Lion Hotel’s identity, connecting modern visitors to the building’s long and often turbulent history. Her presence bridges the centuries, making the past tangible for those who encounter her in the historic corridors of this ancient inn.