The Tragedy of Beningbrough Hall
In 1670, Beningbrough Hall, owned by the financially troubled Earle family, becomes the center of a dark plot involving treachery and murder. Mr. Earle, a Roman Catholic, is in London, leaving his housekeeper, Marian, and steward, Philip Laurie, in charge. When Earle secretly returns with an accomplice to remove valuables in anticipation of arrest for treason, Marian assists them, trusting the gamekeeper, Martin Giles, to hide the items. Laurie, suspicious and resentful, confronts Marian about the missing valuables. Their argument escalates, revealing Laurie's malicious intent. He conspires with a disreputable laborer, Vasey, to murder Marian and rob Giles. As Marian walks in the evening, she is ambushed and killed by Vasey, who pushes her into the river. The next day, her body is discovered, and suspicion falls on Giles due to his connection with Marian. While the servants suspect Giles, Laurie and Vasey plot to rob the gamekeeper's cottage. However, Giles, alert and grieving, defends himself against Vasey, capturing him. Laurie, present but not implicated, manages to maintain his facade. Vasey is arrested, and as tensions rise, Mrs. Earle arrives, dismissing Laurie due to his suspicious behavior. Desperate, Laurie attempts to coerce Mrs. Earle into taking him with her as she plans to flee to France. When she refuses, he attempts to kill her but fails and subsequently takes his own life. Vasey, facing execution, confesses the entire plot, leading to his hanging. The story concludes with a haunting legend of Marian's ghost, said to wander the banks of the Ouse, forever tied to the tragic events that unfolded at Beningbrough Hall.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1892 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Tragedy · 2,217 words
First lines
In 1670, Beningbrough Hall, a fine Elizabethan red-brick mansion, stood in a park near the junction of the Ouse and Nidd. The old house has been pulled down, and replaced by an edifice neat and commodious, as the guide-books would say, and we need say no more.
In 1670 Beningbrough Hall belonged to a Roman Catholic family of the name of Earle. Mr. Earle, the proprietor, was in somewhat embarrassed circumstances, and was mixed up with some of the plots then rife. He was much away from the Hall -- generally in London; but the house was full of servants, under the control of a steward, Philip Laurie, and a housekeeper, named Marian -- a comely woman, just passing into middle age.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tragedy of Beningbrough Hall is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1892 CE.
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- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Tragedy, Gothic Fiction, Crime Fiction
- Length: 2,217 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context (1670) and involves historical elements such as the Roman Catholic family and the political climate of the time.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a murder mystery, with elements of suspense and investigation into the crime.
- Tragedy — The story features tragic elements, including betrayal, murder, and the downfall of characters, particularly Marian and Laurie.
- Gothic Fiction — The atmosphere includes dark themes, supernatural elements, and a sense of foreboding, typical of Gothic literature.
Tags
tragedy · historical fiction · mystery · gothic · haunted house · family drama · secrets · betrayal · love · loss · 19th century · English countryside