The sorcerous curse of the Highgate Vampire is a mysterious and chilling tale that has captivated the imaginations of many. The legend originates from Highgate Cemetery in London, where an alleged vampire was said to have haunted the grounds in the late 1960s and early 1970s. According to the legend, a vampire was accidentally awakened during a séance conducted by a group of occultists. This vampire, believed to be a medieval nobleman cursed by a powerful sorcerer, sought to feed on the blood of the living to sustain its cursed existence. The curse itself was said to be the result of a vengeful sorcerous spell gone wrong, leaving the nobleman trapped between life and death. The Highgate Vampire quickly gained notoriety, drawing attention from both believers and skeptics alike.
The story inspired the Hammer horror film Dracula AD1972, which starred Christopher Lee as the vampire preying on young Londoners. Meanwhile Farrant and Manchester’s war of words escalated.
Meanwhile, Farrant was attracting growing attention with his stories of strange things going on in Highgate beheaded foxes, apparitions, black magic. The duels never happened, and in 1974 Farrant was again arrested near the cemetery and convicted of damaging memorials and interfering with the remains of the dead.
The Highgate Vampire quickly gained notoriety, drawing attention from both believers and skeptics alike. Numerous sightings and encounters were reported, describing a tall, pale figure with glowing red eyes and an insatiable thirst for blood. Many claimed to have been attacked or even bitten by the creature, leading to a sense of fear and panic among the local community.
Ghostly goings-on by the grave of Karl Marx: Highgate Cemetery was the setting for Britain’s spookiest feud, as a new show reveals
Satanism, sex rituals, a vampire, a bizarre feud and the bodies of some of the most famous people on the planet – this story has it all. The Highgate Vampire is a relatively recent legend in vampire lore, and though it may exist it’s more likely to be the figment of two very vivid imaginations. Now a new TV show, The Curse Of The Highgate Vampire, tells the tale and asks you to make up your own mind. It all started with a letter in local paper The Hampstead & Highgate Express in February 1970 about Highgate Cemetery in north London, the gorgeously gothic final resting place of the likes of Karl Marx, artist Henry Moore and George Michael. The letter was from a man called David Farrant who owned a local tobacconist, and he’d written to say he’d seen something strange there.
Three YouTube paranormal investigators are set to explore the legends of Highgate Cemetery in north London. Pictured: David Farrant who claimed to see something strange at the cemetery in 1970
‘On three occasions I have seen what appears to be a ghost-like figure inside the gates of Highgate Cemetery,’ he wrote, surely not realising that this letter would completely turn his life upside down. As the show reveals, the person most cursed by this tale was Farrant himself. The following week in the same paper there were letters from several other people who also claimed to have seen ghostly goings-on at the cemetery, and Farrant became obsessed with finding out more. He was convinced satanic rituals had been taking place in the cemetery and that people who practised dark magic had somehow conjured up an evil entity that was now stuck in our realm. The more he investigated it, the more it consumed him.
As the legend grew, so did the interest in the vampire. People from far and wide flocked to Highgate Cemetery in the hopes of encountering the supernatural entity. Vampire hunters, ghost enthusiasts, and curious onlookers all descended upon the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the infamous creature. Highgate Cemetery became a hotbed of paranormal activity, with séances, exorcisms, and even vampire hunts taking place amidst the fog-drenched tombs. Despite the frenzy surrounding the Highgate Vampire, its existence remains heavily debated. Skeptics argue that the sightings and encounters were simply the result of overactive imaginations and the power of suggestion. They attribute the vampire's allure to the Gothic atmosphere of the cemetery and the urban legends that had been circulating for centuries. However, believers stand firm in their conviction that the curse of the Highgate Vampire is very much real. They point to the numerous witnesses and their consistent descriptions of the creature as evidence of its existence. They argue that the vampire's curse and the sorcerous origins lend credibility to the legend, making it more than just a mere fantastical tale. To this day, the legend of the Highgate Vampire continues to captivate the interest of paranormal enthusiasts and researchers. Whether it is a figment of the collective imagination or a genuine supernatural entity, the sorcerous curse of the Highgate Vampire remains a haunting and intriguing part of London's dark folklore..
Reviews for "Highgate Cemetery: Ground Zero for Vampire Lore"
1. - Jessica - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The sorcerous curse of the highgate vampire" as I'm a big fan of supernatural stories. However, I couldn't get into this book at all. The characters felt one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. The writing style was also quite amateurish, with repetitive phrases and lack of attention to detail. Overall, I found it difficult to stay engaged and ended up skipping through large portions of the book. Definitely not my cup of tea.
2. - Thomas - 1 star - "The sorcerous curse of the highgate vampire" was a major disappointment. The story lacked depth and substance, and the plot was riddled with inconsistencies. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to connect with any of the characters. I also found the constant excessive descriptions of irrelevant details incredibly tedious. The pacing was off, with long periods of nothing happening followed by rushed and illogical resolutions. I regret wasting my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. - Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The sorcerous curse of the highgate vampire" but it fell flat for me. The premise seemed intriguing, but the execution was lacking. The writing was overly flowery and pompous, making it hard to follow the story. The characters were unrelatable and their actions often made no sense. I also found the constant use of clichés and tropes to be tiresome. Overall, the book failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied.