Ghosts in Court by Sabine Baring-Gould
In a unique tale from Icelandic history, a lawsuit is brought against a group of ghosts haunting a farm. The story begins in the year 1000, when a Hebridean woman named Thorgunna arrives in Iceland with exquisite treasures. She stays with a local couple, Thorodd and Thurida, who become intrigued by her belongings. Thorgunna, however, falls ill and makes specific deathbed requests regarding her possessions, including a demand that her bedclothes be burned to prevent future quarrels. After her death, Thorodd attempts to fulfill her wishes but is persuaded by Thurida to keep some of the items. Following the burial, strange occurrences begin at their farm, including ghostly apparitions and ominous signs, leading to the deaths of several household members. The haunting intensifies, with the specters of the deceased appearing regularly, causing fear and chaos. Desperate to rid themselves of the ghosts, Thorodd's son, Kiartan, consults his uncle Snorri, a wise lawman. Snorri advises Kiartan to burn the remaining belongings of Thorgunna and to hold a court to formally summon the ghosts. On Candlemas day, Kiartan gathers a group of neighbors and confronts the specters, initiating a legal proceeding against them. The court hears the cases of each ghost, and one by one, they are ordered to leave the farm. The specters express reluctance but comply with the court's decisions. After the final ghost departs, a priest is brought in to bless the house, and the haunting ceases. The family’s fortunes improve, and peace is restored to the farm.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1900 · Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology · 4,264 words
First lines
The following very curious story is from the _Eyrbyggja Saga_, one of the oldest and noblest of the Icelandic histories. As it results in an action unique in its way, -- a lawsuit brought against a party of ghosts who haunted a house, -- it well merits attention from all lovers of curiosities.
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Ghosts in Court is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Gothic, Adventure
- Length: 4,264 words
- Structure: 1 section, 49 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Ghosts in Court by Sabine Baring-Gould
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- The Curse Of Eve by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Giant Maximin by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Black Doctor by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Ghost Walker by Edgar Wallace
- The Land Of Mist by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Genres
- Fantasy — The plot revolves around supernatural elements, including ghosts and hauntings, which are central to the narrative.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, specifically during the early Christianization of Iceland, incorporating cultural and societal elements of that time.
- Mythology — The narrative draws on mythological themes, particularly the interaction between the living and the dead, and the use of supernatural beings in legal contexts.
- Gothic — The eerie atmosphere, themes of death, and the presence of ghosts contribute to a Gothic tone throughout the story.
Tags
ghosts · court · supernatural · law · mystery · historical · paranormal · justice · crime · investigation · folklore · haunting