Lantern - No 37

Magazine Overview

Title: LANTERN
Issue: Spring 1982
Publisher: BORDERLINE INVESTIGATION GROUP
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of LANTERN, a quarterly magazine of East Anglian mysteries and curiosities, features a deep dive into the historical claims made in Charles Sampson's book 'Ghosts of the Broads' and reports on recent UFO sightings in the region.

Hoax of the Broads: An Investigation

This extensive article by M.W. Burgess meticulously deconstructs Charles Sampson's 1931 book 'Ghosts of the Broads'. Burgess argues that 90% of the book is "sheer fiction", a deliberate hoax perpetrated on the public. The investigation reveals that many of the named witnesses, lords, knights, scientists, and even local figures, never existed. Sampson is shown to have fabricated historical backgrounds, misrepresenting the existence of the Norfolk Broads themselves in certain periods. The article details how Sampson relied on a mix of twisted history, genuine tradition, and outright invention, often plagiarizing from existing works like E.R. Suffling's 'Land of the Broads' without proper attribution. Burgess highlights specific examples of historical inaccuracies, such as claims of Roman activity in areas that did not exist as Broads at the time, and misrepresentations of historical events like the Viking invasions. The author also points out that Sampson's bibliography includes fictitious sources and misrepresents real ones. The article concludes by warning readers that Sampson's book, which has fooled people for over 50 years, is a "Hoax of the Broads" and advises caution.

Charles Sampson's Background

Charles Adolphus Sampson was born in 1881 and had a varied career, including medical education in London, Paris, and Rome, qualifying as a surgeon specializing in psychotherapy. He held numerous qualifications and appointments, including a Captaincy in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War I. He was also a published medical author and inventor. Sampson died in 1940 at the age of 59. His son, Dr. Charles Anthony Joseph Sampson, described his father as "pleasant and beloved" but acknowledged that "much of such writing is fiction".

Analysis of 'Ghosts of the Broads' Tales

Burgess analyzes the 26 tales within Sampson's book, noting that not all are strictly ghost stories, and only nine directly involve the Broads. Several tales are identified as "phantom pageantry," involving dramatic alterations to the local landscape to depict earlier times. Examples include tales set in Wroxham, Salhouse, South Walsham, Horning, Brundall, Horsey, and Beccles. The article scrutinizes the historicity of the main characters and claims made in each chapter, systematically debunking the existence of named individuals and the plausibility of the events described. For instance, the claim of a Viking lord on South Walsham Broad in the 5th century is dismissed due to the historical timeline of Viking presence in Britain. Similarly, the presence of Romans lowering bodies into Horsey Mere is questioned as the Broads did not exist in that form during Roman times.

Sources and Plagiarism

The investigation into Sampson's sources reveals a pattern of invention and misrepresentation. While some general historical texts like 'Domesday Book' and the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle' are listed, they contain none of the material used by Sampson. Other listed sources, such as the 'Gentleman's Gazette', are entirely fictitious. Burgess notes that Sampson heavily plagiarized from E.R. Suffling's 'Land of the Broads' for background material, particularly concerning figures like Sir Oliver de Ingham.

UFO NEWS

Strange Object Over The Wash

On March 5th, 1982, at approximately 6:30 pm, a strange object was observed over The Wash, north Norfolk. Witnesses, including Mrs. Sally Jopson, described it as having red and green flashing lights and hovering. It moved towards Lincolnshire, hovered again, faded, and then returned brightly before "exploding into light." The sighting lasted about 15 minutes, and no engine noise was heard. Local police and RAF Marham could not provide an explanation.

UFO Sighting in South Lynn

The following afternoon, residents of South Lynn reported seeing a similar object in daylight. Joan Smith described a "big round object like a football" with a silver light flashing, moving towards them. Witnesses watched for about 15 minutes. While the Ministry of Defence suggested numerous explanations, the RAF had no planes investigating in the area, and the Civil Aviation Authority stated there were no air routes over Lynn, though a private plane was a possibility.

Other Features

'STONEPIX' NO.2: MUTFORD WOOD, SUFFOLK

This section describes strangely-shaped and standing stones discovered in Mutford Wood in early March 1870. Found embedded in the ground, these sandstone formations were examined by Professor Sedgewick, who pronounced them natural. The article includes a note that this piece, along with sketches, was originally published in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archeology & Natural History in 1864/14, and the exact location of the stones is now unknown.

Exchange Magazines

A list of various journals and magazines related to earth mysteries, UFOs, and the paranormal is provided, including SKYWATCH, THE LEY HUNTER, ZETETIC SCHOLAR, FORTEAN TIMES, LINCOLNSHIRE DRAGON, EARTHLINK, MAGONIA, SANGREAL, WOOD & WATER, ESSEX LANDSCAPE MYSTERIES, and QUICKSILVER MESSENGER.

NO BONES ABOUT IT!

This short section details several instances of human skeletons and bones being found unexpectedly in Norfolk and Suffolk. These include a 16th-century skull at Castle Acre castle, a "bag full of human bones" at Beccles, two medieval skeletons at Blythburgh, and a reported but unsubstantiated skeleton find at Lowestoft beach.

East Anglian HAUNTS NO.2 St. Benet's Abbey

This piece discusses the ruins of St. Benet's Abbey and associated legends. It recounts a story from W. Gerish about a monk named Ethelwold letting Normans into the abbey, leading to his execution. Charles Sampson's 'Ghosts of the Broads' is mentioned as elaborating on this, claiming the abbey reappears annually. Another legend tells of a monk who left the order but was saved by his patron saint and returned to become devout. The ghost of a monk is said to haunt the nearby river Thurne, rowing a boat away from the abbey.

MYSTERY OF TUNNELS AT OLD SMITHY

This report from the Eastern Daily Press (1/2/1982) describes mysterious man-made tunnels discovered under an old smithy in Gt. Walsingham, Norfolk. The tunnels, faced with brick and flint, were found by the blacksmith's son while digging for a car inspection pit. The purpose and age of the tunnels remain unknown.

From: 'News Chronicle' 27/2/1933

This brief news item mentions parishioners of Middleton, Suffolk protesting the closure of their church and grounds, and a claim by the Rector and Dr. Thonber of seeing visions of the Virgin Mary.

From: 'Eastern Daily Press' 4/11/81

This item reports on a cesspit uncovered at St. Martin's Palace, Norwich, revealing important facts about Norman life, including the first recorded find of hops, suggesting beer may have been brewed in Norwich.

Just a Thought

A quote from Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682): "Let well-weighed considerations, not stiff and peremptory assumpstions, guide thy dicourses, pen and actions."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on local mysteries, folklore, and unexplained phenomena within East Anglia. There is a strong emphasis on critical investigation and debunking, as evidenced by the detailed exposé of Charles Sampson's "Hoax of the Broads." The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to consider evidence carefully and avoid "stiff and peremptory assumptions," as suggested by the Sir Thomas Browne quote. The inclusion of UFO reports alongside historical hoaxes and local legends indicates a broad interest in the unexplained.