VOICES from beyond the grave could hold the key to an 800-year-old mystery involving two Penwortham clergymen.

Local author and journalist Andrew Atkinson is hoping to contact Penwortham's Mad Monk, and a prior linked with a local sex scandal, in a live radio broadcast this Sunday with psychic James Byrne.

Andrew will try to contact the Mad Monk, Roger Norreis, and Penwortham's last prior, Ricardus Hawkesbury, who were connected with Penwortham's ancient St Mary's Church hundreds of years ago.

The Mad Monk began his career at Canterbury, where he was imprisoned after betraying his fellow monks.

He escaped through a sewer, and having deceived King John in 1213, with his pompous manner, was made Abbot of Evesham, but following his embezzlement and misappropriation he was deposed and put in charge of Penwortham.

Andrew said: "The Mad Monk maintained his wayward behaviour at Penwortham and this led to his ejection from the church. However, he was reinstated and is buried in the grounds of St Mary's - but where I don't know."

The last prior of Penwortham, Ricardus Hawkesbury, was removed from his post by Henry VIII, for allegedly relations with two women.

Andrew added: "I believe this was a story thought up be two of the King's commissioners, which ended with the monastery and lands going to the King - as had been the case with another 800 monasteries throughout Britain."

He said: "Hundreds of years on, I hope to contact the Mad Monk and Prior Hawkesbury.

"There are a few questions which hopefully James Byrne will put forward, including the truth surrounding the scandal, and as to why the Mad Monk acted the way he did.

"I am told by James that there will be no dangers involved. The only reason we want to do this is to end these Lancashire mysteries once and for all."

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