The story of the Hag of Halesowen, an old witch, known locally as ‘Old Mother Lapping’, who was said to have possessed remarkable powers of foresight and to have cast numerous successful spells has been a popular tale in the area for centuries. Supposedly, she resided in and haunted the old Halesowen Abbey grounds from the late 1600s or early 1700s. Those brave or foolish enough to wander there after dark reported seeing strange floating orbs, hearing ghostly cackles and even catching glimpses of the old hag herself. Her legend was enough to keep most of the town’s residents away. ‘She was said to have not only the power to heal the ill, but also to incite misfortune upon enemies and anyone who dared crossed her’, says a local historian. ‘People lived in fear of her, wary of doing anything that might draw her ire. Livestock that fell ill, bad weather, and even personal tragedies were often blamed on her, and soon the edit; ‘don’t cross Old Mother Lapping’ became a mantra in the community.’ Her tale is said to have ended tragically when, as the fear of witchcraft swept across Britain, a local man accused of the witch and she was hunted down. The poor woman, who may have been nothing more than a misunderstood herbalist, was hanged on the grounds of the abbey. And it seemed her spirit was unable to rest. To this day, many locals claim that on the eve of a full moon, you can still see the ghostly figure of the Hag at the Halesowen Abbey ruins. Despite extensive historical research, her true identity remains unknown. But the legend of the Hag of Halesowen continues to be one of the most chilling tales in British folklore. Her impact and legacy are integral to the historical identity of Halesowen.