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The Golden Fleece has got the reputation of being the oldest licensed pub in York; it dates back to 1503 and is mentioned in ancient York archives. The pub its self has no foundations and therefore this makes the ceilings and floors very uneven. The pub from the outside looks very old and stands opposite the Shambles, one of York’s most historic and picturesque streets. a row of medieval shops. This is well worth a visit as well.
The public house is a delightful pleasant place to visit, from the outside it’s a small misshaped 16th century building that is between 2 large oak beamed buildings. On the inside there are wooden panelled rooms and crooked corridors in the ancient building.
Above the door there is a gold ram hanging and some of the known landlords including Richard Booth (1667), Lord Mayor of York – John Peckett (1702). The pub has not always been known as the Golden Fleece; in 1852 it was called the Golden Hart but then changed back to its original name.
Over the years there have been many sighting of spirits and the most talked about one is the wife of the landlord John Peckett, Lady Peckett. There have been many sightings of Lady Peckett walking round the corridors and staircases in the early hours. Lady Peckett is one of the most famous resident ghosts in the building and the rear yard was named after her, she has also been seen disappearing through a wall and a sweet smell of perfume can be smelt when she is around the establishment.
Other ghostly goings on include at least possibly several other spirits that have been witnessed during the time the pub has been licensed.
In St Catherine’s room, a woman has been seen dressed in black. She walks past the window in the room, yet no one knows who the spectre is and why she still remains in the construction, perhaps she remains from a previous building.. It has been said to become oppressive in the room and people have stated that they feel a great weight is on there shoulders. One guest caught the spirit on camera when there was no one in the building at the time.
Another resident is one eyed Jack, said to roam the bottom bar and is believed to be dressed in 17th century clothes. He has been seen in a red coat, breeches, a wig and old and is often seen carrying an old flintlock pistol, this is one of the reasons people know he is around due to the item.
A grumpy old man is the other regularly seen ghost in the bottom bar. He sits crouched in the alcove and sits there looking grumpy, its unknown why.
In the top bar, some people have witnessed a ghost of a Victorian boy. It is believed that he was accidentally trampled to death by horses outside delivering beer to the pub.
One of the most recent sightings is of a World War II airman, most likely of Canadian origin. Not much is known about his death but he may have hung himself or plummeted to his death after a drinking session. The airman visit people in rooms and stands over them while in bed and touched them with an icy hand.
The other phantoms include a little girl who wanders in the kitchen then disappears; the figures of roman soldiers have been sighted in the cellar also. Some of those who have visited have had hair pulled and staff have had felt tightening round there necks in the bar area as the landlord in the early days hung himself. Furthermore people have herd doors banging, footsteps on the stairs, strange lights, cold spots, constant temperature changes, furniture moving, candles that light themselves and orbs have been witness in the spooky old building.
In addition, the cellar used to store dead bodies of those people waiting to be claimed by their families, so how many of these people have remained after death in this place as there remains were never claimed by anyone. Therefore, they will be forever searching for their loved ones after they were left down in the dark damp room.
This old ancient building may look cosy and welcoming but once the lights go down another place welcomes you, one where you might have the tale to tell once you have spent the night here and one you may never forget! Or what other restless souls might you meet while you are staying in this city classed to be the most haunted in the country.
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