The Black Monk of Pontefract

The Pontefract poltergeist, also known as the Black Monk, terrorized the Pritchard family at 30 East Drive from 1966 to 1969. The case is considered one of Europe’s most violent poltergeist hauntings and has never been satisfactorily explained.

The Family

The Pritchard family moved into 30 East Drive, a council house in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, in 1966. The family included parents Jean and Joe, son Philip, and daughter Diane. None had any previous interest in the supernatural.

The Beginning

Activity began in August 1966 with pools of water appearing on the kitchen floor. The disturbances quickly escalated: objects flew, lights switched on and off, furniture moved, and strange sounds filled the house.

The Violence

Unlike many poltergeist cases, the Pontefract activity was physically violent. Diane was dragged up the stairs by an invisible force, leaving scratch marks on her back. Family members were slapped and pushed. The entity seemed actively malevolent.

The Black Monk

The entity manifested as a black-robed figure, like a Benedictine monk. It appeared in doorways, on the stairs, and in bedrooms. The hooded face was never clearly seen. The figure seemed connected to the site’s history as a medieval priory.

The Investigation

Colin Wilson, the writer and investigator, documented the case. He found the family credible and the evidence compelling. Attempts to explain the phenomena through fraud failed. The house was examined but revealed nothing unusual.

The Resolution

Activity gradually decreased after 1969 and eventually ceased. The Pritchards remained in the house. The case inspired the 2012 film “When the Lights Went Out.”

Assessment

The Black Monk of Pontefract remains one of the most disturbing poltergeist cases on record. The violence of the activity, the manifestation of the monk figure, and the genuine fear of the family suggest something beyond typical poltergeist behavior.