Langley Castle Hotel, near Haydon Bridge, is dispelling myths about its grey lady 'ghost' this Halloween.

The ghoul was originally believed to be Maud de Lucy, a widow who allegedly jumped from a window.

During the Covid lockdown, an investigation of family archives revealed the impossibility of the ghost being Maud.

Maud relocated and passed before her second husband, Henry Percy, Early of Northumberland, meaning she was never a suicidal widow.

Analysis suggests the spirit could be Maud's stepmother, Agnes de Beaumont, born 1323, the second wife of founding owner Thomas de Lucy.

Information about Agnes is scant.

In contrast, much is known about Maud and her brother Anthony, identified as the St Bees Man and Woman discovered buried together in 1981.

After three years, the hunt is still on for more information surrounding Agnes and her death.

“We hope that nobody will name our grey lady incorrectly this year and that we can instead start to find out more about Agnes and whether she had a sorrowful end,” said Langley Castle’s executive general manager, Margaret Livingstone-Evans.

“Our grey lady has reportedly been seen by a few people here and, we believe, inspired the Grey Lady character in the Harry Potter series, after J K Rowling visited Langley Castle. We think it only right that we do not do her a disservice by misnaming her as Maud. It would spook anyone to be the victim of a case of mistaken identity.”

Anyone with further details about Agnes de Lucy (nee Beaumont) should email manager@langleycastle.com.