Published: Thursday, 18th September, 2008 06:00
Gruesome tales bring the tour of the town's past alive
By Rose Harland
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The Pied Piper crime trail
Pic by: Rose Harland
A WITCH, an archbishop and monks who used a tunnel from Reading Abbey to go to the pub were some of the characters brought to life in a tour of the town’s hidden past.
The Pied Piper Trail through the town centre on Saturday explored crime and punishment through the ages and unearthed a series of fascinating and sometimes grisly tales.
Guide Fiona Rolls, from Reading Museum, said: “Reading is an ancient town and I hope the tour tells something new about it. Some crimes we would not regard as such now and the other way round.”
Nearly 40 people joined the tour by the Kennet and Avon Canal, on a peaceful Saturday afternoon, but it was the scene of riots in 1720, when a mob led by the Mayor of Reading protested at its construction because they feared it would leech trade to Newbury.
From High Bridge, the tour looked towards the Great Expectations pub in London Street, which Charles Dickens visited. Behind the pub was the home of another famous Victorian, the Witch of East Street, who counted minor royalty among her customers. Even as late as just after the Second World War, Cunning Men visited the market to tell fortunes and solve crimes. Glyn Townsend, of Burghfield Common, who brought his son Owen, five, said: “We came on the walk because Owen loves history, especially if it’s gruesome.”
Many of the stories on the walk were suitably gory and one emerged from one of the chalk tunnels hidden beneath the town.
Ms Rolls said: “In the 13th century apparently young monks at Reading Abbey discovered that the tunnel came out at The Sun in Castle Street and one of them fell in love with a local girl and used to meet her there.
“One day she was waiting for him there when soldiers came in. She was smitten and jilted the monk for a soldier. But the soldier deserted her and she drowned herself in the Kennet.
“About 10 years later, the monk was passing the inn and heard the soldier boasting of his conquests and of a girl from Reading who drowned herself over him.
The monk rushed in and put his hands round his neck to throttle him, but the soldier stabbed him and they both fell dead on the ground.”
Other dark goings on apparently included a man whipped to death in the 19th century for stealing a loaf of bread and a man branded with 'L’ for 'liar’ by Archbishop Laud at the turn of the 17th century for suggesting he was in league with the Pope.
The tour-part of the nationwide Heritage Open Days and the Reading Festival of Crime Writing – also took in the history of the Oracle and pillories and ducking stools in Market Way.
Teresa Baughan of Caversham, who went on the hour-long tour, said: “I’ve lived in Reading all my life, but the tour helps people find out something new about it.”
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