Tavistock, Devon, has a rich history steeped in legend and folklore, including the haunting tale of Lady Frances Howard or Lady Grey. She was born into a powerful and wealthy family, the Howards of Norfolk, with ties to the monarchy. In 1605, at the tender age of 13, she was married to Robert Devereux, the son of the late favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. However, their marriage was reportedly not happy, and they soon became estranged. Frances became infatuated with Robert Carr, a favourite of King James I, and sought to end her marriage to Devereux. Accused of using witchcraft to poison her spouse, she was reputedly held under house arrest within Tavistock’s great mansion, Fitzford House. She was said to have brought shame and scandal upon her family and was banished from court. From there, her life took a downward spiral, and she gradually descended into madness. Following her death in 1632, it is said that her tormented spirit could not find rest. According to local folklore, her ghost haunts Fitzford House and its grounds, wandering in torment for the wrongs she committed during her lifetime. Sightings of her spectre have reportedly occurred over centuries, with her crying and wailing echoing across the estate. This tale serves as a chastening reminder of the excesses of the aristocracy during the Stuart period, and the tragic fate of those who let their desires guide their actions.