The Devil’s Grave

Back on the east coast of Norfolk in England the fishing communities prospered, and great fleets hauled in full nets from the mighty herring shoals. It was said that in the biggest harbour at Great Yarmouth during the fishing season, so large was the fleet from all over England and Europe, that you could walk over a mile across the tightly moored ships and smell the gutting of the herring, carried out by thousands of women who came to the area.

Not all the communities joined in the new way of life. The little village of Sea Palling got on with its laying of crab cages and harvesting the reeds for thatching. Babies were born, old folk died, and the seasons moved across the wide horizon.

Memories remained and legends were created. Along the beach where they say there was once a causeway, even the tough grass never grew. Folk from the villages around never liked to walk on that stretch of coast, especially when the winds change direction and came from the north-east to send their salty sprays crashing upon the land.

If the locals are not too frightened they will tell how on such nights a ghostly spectre can be seen rising from the marshes. A body of a beautiful woman ascends from the badlands, tempting in form and singing to those who would listen. But when the unwary approach, the woman turns into a horrible, cruel and evil reincarnation of the devil, slimy body crying out for mercy and deliverance from her eternal damnation in the muddy pit of the earth.

The Devil’s Grave is not marked on any map. It is said that if the ghost of Lady Camilla has recognition in spoken or written word, her power will return and haunt the old district of Lothingland.
– Anon