Demonic Auric Imprint

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Can buildings be vampiric in nature? As in "The Hungry Stones"? — Fanny Dugong

Where supernatural contamination has occurred there can remain an aura of evil which seems to drain those of the requisite sensitivity when they enter the environment where the aftershock still persists. Such a place was the neo-gothic Victorian mansion known as the House of Evil on the borders of Highgate and Hornsey in the early 1970s. All that remains of the House of Evil today is its ruin façade, now incorporated into the design of the new building which replaced it after it had been demolished by public demand. Prior to the original Victorian mansion being razed to the ground (well, almost), a successful exorcism had taken place. Yet the memory of that supernatural evil is enough to haunt residents and visitors to this day. Even the most hardened sceptic cannot repress a shudder when ascending the stone steps and passing through its still extant gothic portal that refused demolition. Time, it would seem, has failed to erase the chill of the shadowless presence when — not so long ago — this same place gave witness to unearthly terror as the door between us and another world was practically ripped off its hinges. And something dark, demonic and predatory entered. Though successfully exorcised in early 1974, the auric imprint of that vampiric contagion remains and even now can be felt by visitors to the building that stands on the same unforgotten site of evil.
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Summers' Dark Shadow

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I have long appreciated Rev. Montague Summers' writings, however some dark shadows are still cast on the late clergyman's life. His entry on Wikipedia raises some questions on his reputation, especially the charge of pederastry. Two rather damning sections go as follow: ''Summers was ordained as deacon in 1908 and worked as a curate in Bath and Bitton, in Greater Bristol. He never proceeded to higher orders, however, probably because of rumours of his interest in Satanism and accusations of sexual impropriety with young boys, for which he was tried and acquitted." And: "Despite his conservative religiosity, Summers was an active member of both the British Society for the Study of Sex Psychology, to which he contributed an essay on the Marquis de Sade, and of the Order of Chaeronea, a secret society which cultivated a pederastic homosexual ethos. Summers' interests also show in his edition of the poems of the sixteenth century poet Richard Barnfield, which partly are openly homosexual.'' Would you care to comment? — Sylvain Durand

I would care to comment because I, too, find myself faced with the same dilemma as yourself where Montague Summers is concerned, which is why I have only judged and assessed him as a chronicler and believer in the supernatural, most notably vampires. In my own concise vampirological guide I give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest that if he did belong to an occultic fraternity on the Continent it was probably to "infiltrate and learn of its goings-on so that he might better defeat its evil purpose." (The Vampire Hunter's Handbook, page 93). Perhaps I was projecting too much of myself onto Summers?

In the same book I speak of how Summers was "unshakable in his belief in the dreadful reality of the forces of darkness and their evil emissaries, no matter how bizarre their outward manifestation" for which, like me, he was "outrageously misrepresented and parodied by those seeking cheap jibes." Yet there are some uncomfortable allegations regarding Summers that we must not shy away from (without wanting to sit in judgement on someone who has been dead and buried for the last sixty-four years).

I have not previously needed to comment on his personal life because my own views on such perversions as some, rightly or wrongly, have alluded to in his case are well known and, of course, in line with the position that has always been upheld by mainstream denominations whether Anglican, Catholic or Orthodox; and, moerover, postulated unequivocally within both Old and New Testaments. What I would say, however, is that when Montague Summers was brought to trial he was found not guilty of what is undoubtedly the worst of these offences. As far as I am aware, he was not charged of any other crime or perversion.

We must not gloss over the fact of his acquittal while at the same time conceding without question he held an unhealthy interest, whether or not a  proclivity, in these unwholesome areas. Likewise, he had an interest in all the darker aspects of the occult and indeed the most malign manifestations of supernatural evil imaginable.

One of the more disturbing allegations is that in 1908 Summers is reported to have participated in a Black Mass. Furthermore, Geoffrey Evans Pickering claims that he personally partook in a Black Mass presided over by Summers at his residence on Eton Road, Hampstead, on Boxing Day of 1918. We might, therefore, surmise that between 1908 and 1918 Montague Summers possibly involved himself in occult practices for whatever reason, but, evidently, abandoned them some time between 1918 and 1923 when he severed his friendship with Evans Pickering. Something, I posit, occurred which so terrified Summers that it compelled him to turn against his former "involvement" and lent the fervour of a reformed sinner to his published attacks on all things occult, commencing with the 1926 publication of The History of Witchcraft and Demonology.

I have only ever approached Summers in his capacity as a scholar, vampirologist and as someone with deeply held Catholic convictions. He was certainly no sceptic. He absolutely believed, as do I, that the dark forces he shared with his readers were completely true and that such malevolent entities as vampires, and those who are damned to be transformed into wolves through occultic means, really happen. Indeed, not believing in such things, according to Summers, was akin to heresy or worse. These things were not disorders of the mind, but of the soul.

Summers was undoubtedly a throwback to an earlier age, an unreconstructed Jacobite who longs for the restoration of Catholic England. In that regard, plus his willingness to seriously address the reality of Luciferic demonry in all its manifestations, indicates we have much in common. But that is where it ends.

Montague Summers may be admired and celebrated for his scholarly works as a Catholic demonologist and chronicler of vampires. The rest is shrouded in mystery, conjecture and, invariably, circumlocution.

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Silver

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What is the importance of silver? — Robert J

A silver crystal.

Pure silver has the highest thermal conductivity (the non-metal diamond and superfluid helium II are higher) and one of the highest optical reflectivities, albeit a poor reflector of ultra-violet. Silver has a brilliant white metallic lustre and is slightly harder than gold. It is very ductile and malleable, exceeded in these properties only by gold and palladium. Sterling silver (92.5% silver, with copper or other metals) is used for silverware and jewellery.

Silver occurs native and in ores incuding argentite (Ag2S) and horn silver (AgCl). Lead, lead-zinc, copper, copper-nickel, and gold ores are other prinicipal sources of silver. Commercial fine silver is at least 99.9% pure. Commercial purities of 99.999+% are available. Silver is stable in pure air and water, but tarnishes when it is exposed to air or water containing ozone or hydrogen sulphide; the latter forming a black layer of silver sulphide which can be cleaned off with diluted hydrochloric acid.

For the exorcist or any person wanting to ward off evil entities, silver is invaluable. I am never without a crucifix made of the finest silver available, and I prefer to always use silver when dispensing the Sacraments.

Vampires have a strong aversion to mirrors and silver (sometimes used in the making of mirrors). The invention of the silvered-glass mirror is credited to German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1835. His process involved the deposition of a thin layer of metallic silver onto glass through the chemical reduction of silver nitrate. This silvering process was adapted for mass manufacturing and led to the greater availability of affordable mirrors. Nowadays, mirrors are often produced by the vacuum deposition of aluminium (or sometimes silver) directly onto the glass substrate. The mirrors in my home are all made of silvered-glass.

In the past, silver crosses and icons were frequently displayed in houses for protection against evil spirits, particularly vampires. Various other methods have been used to ward off or even rid a contaminated area of vampires. Driving a stake of ash or aspen wood through the undead's heart during the daylight hours will end its nocturnal wanderings beyond the tomb. Until 1823, when it was made illegal, it was common practice in England to drive a wooden stake through the heart of suspected vampires. According to folklore, thorns of wild roses and garlic will also keep vampires away. Pure or fine silver is hateful to such supernatural predatory wraiths as vampires, and this element can also be used to protect from all manner of other demonic manifestation.

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Copyright Infringement on YouTube

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"I am pleased to announce that two of my videos recently suspended on YouTube, In Search of the Highgate Vampire and In Search of the Truth have now been restored following an investigation into a ‘copyright infringement’ claim submitted by one [Bishop] Sean Manchester." — David Farrant
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I did rather more than submit a claim via the online form provided by YouTube. Due to my objection to material I own being hijacked by an extermely hostile source to supplement what I absolutely know to be fraudulent claims in two self-aggrandising videos, I filed two legally-binding DMCA notices which oblige the receipient, YouTube, to act upon them, and I did so on pain of perjury if what I claim is false.

The videos were disabled. Mr Farrant contested this action and to my amazement the videos reappeared. It was not explained why this happened by either YouTube or indeed Mr Farrant who did, however, have this to say on his blog yesterday: "The ‘copyright infringement’ of which [Bishop] Manchester was apparently complaining was not precisely specified by YouTube, although they naturally had no choice but to suspend both videos until they had conducted their own investigation in accordance to policy."

YouTube, of course, did have a choice. If they felt I had no case they could have ignored my complaint, but they disabled the videos because I made a declaration that images had been reproduced from a book of which I am the author. The question arises how Mr Farrant could counter-claim when he apparently had no idea what he was specifically counter-claiming about.

When I received YouTube's notice of a counter-claim having been made, I sent them attachments of the precise pages in my book where the images infringed in the two videos uploaded by Mr Farrant occur. That I thought would be an end to it, but Mr Farrant is one of those people who persist with something for the sake of it and, in this case, it would certainly seem without any of the salient facts.

The above photograph (second image) of a bricked-up tomb appears in Mr Farrant's video in violation of my copyright. It is found on page 61 of the first edition of The Highgate Vampire. It is found thirty minutes into Mr Farrant's video. There can be no doubt whatsoever that my picture has been illegally reproduced. The same picture is also found on page 91 of the second edition of The Highgate Vampire.

A minute or two later in the same video another photograph in violation of my copyright appears. It is of a Victorian house with tree branches in the foreground. The house was demolished while Mr Farrant was still serving a five years' prison sentence. This image, unlawfully reproduced by Mr Farrant, is found on page 114 of the first edition of The Highgate Vampire (shown above) and also on page 128 of the second edition. The proximity of the tree branches to the building make this photograph easy to identify.

The same picture of the Victorian house with tree branches in the foreground found in my copyright protected book is infringed again by Mr Farrant half an hour into a second video uploaded onto YouTube. There can be no doubt that the above photographs have been illegally copied and used without consent in the two videos I have reported and filed DMCA notices over. So why has YouTube ignored these legally binding notices and permitted the material to be published on their service?

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Vampire Research Society Membership

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I have recently read numerous reports about the Highgate case and have discovered your very interesting blogs and the Vampire Research Society. I would be very interested in learning more about this and perhaps - after due consideration - obtain membership in the Society. Perhaps you could tell me something about the requirements, I believe reading somewhere that "membership is by invitation only"? I wish to add that I am not just some "Twilight" fan but someone who has a serious interest in occult matters and has explored demonology, vampirism and similar topics for some years. I am currently studying theology at university and am firmly rooted within the Catholic tradition. — Patrick Hofer

Prospective candidates, in normal circumstances, are approached by an existing member with an invitation. The candidate then tenders a written application and at a later stage is vetted by at least three executive members in person, ie face to face.

The VRS is pro-active and is not a club for those to share their interest in the genre. The kind of work the society does is self-evident from its title. Pro-active means operative vampirology/demonology as distinct from speculative vampirology/demonology. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject under scrutiny it has proved more efficacious to operate with stringent security measures in place so that privacy can be established and maintained at all times. Concerning its investigations post-Highgate, the VRS does not co-operate in any way with the media and certainly does not make disclosures to the press. This enables folk to have confidence in sharing their experiences and knowledge without fear of their privacy being violated.

Membership of the research society, founded on 2 February 1970, remains strictly by invitation. Nothing said by strangers or anyone else wishing to gain entry is taken at face value or will circumvent this rule.

This procedure became necessary to avoid the inevitable time-wasters and others of more dubious intent, eg infiltrating journalists believing a sensational and thus lucrative story might be in the offing. Despite numerous attempts having been made, none have so far managed to compromise the integrity of the research society which these days enjoys relative obscurity.

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Transsubstantiatio

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Dear Bishop, have you painted anything of interest since your portrait of Pius XII last year? — Laura

I have been quite busy in the interim, but the picture recently completed that I would like to share is given the title Transsubstantiatio, which, when looking at the images, is self-explanatory. The medium, as most frequently used, is oil on canvas.

Pius XII was very much still alive when I was investigating Catholicism as an Anglican choir boy many years ago in the last days of the pre-Vatican II era, and I therefore have immense affection for him. That notwithstanding, I harboured some concern over how my portrait would be received when it was exhibited last year and shared online with other Christians. I need not have worried. It was overwhelmingly appreciated by most who saw it. The symbolism and hopefully transcendental quality with which I attempted to imbue this posthumous portrait appear to have been understood by almost everyone who viewed what is in effect a purposely primitive treatment on a large canvas. I am also very aware that sometimes symbolism can eclipse the more subtle aspects of a subject, but I hope and trust I have found the right balance with these two pictures.

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Lord Byron

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I have read that you are descended from the poet Lord Byron and have inherited his pistols. Is this true? — Tatiana Romanova

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The claim that I am connected to the poet by blood is not mine alone — though I did mention it in passing in the first edition of The Highgate Vampire which was dedicated to the memory of Lord Byron — "my illustrious ancestor who abhored the vampire yet ironically has ever since been its literary archetype." The claim is that of my forebears, supported by Byron scholars, chief among whom is Professor Leslie A Marchand (see Acknowledgements in Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know). Their claim is my legacy. Quite obviously I have been unable to have DNA testing carried out because when last Lord Byron was exhumed for inspection I was not yet born, coupled with the fact that the seventh Lord Byron (George Anson Byron, successor to the title upon the death of the poet), while a cousin, is not the sixth Lord's progeny and George Anson Byron's successors, therefore, are not directly descended from the poet.

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I am the current custodian of the pistols once owned by Lord Byron. They are displayed in a glass cabinet when not in their original wooden case. I should add that a great many artefacts of what one might describe as Byronia have come into my possession down the years. A few select items are on permanent display in appropriate rooms, chiefly the front drawing room and dining room. The latter contains many family portraits in their silver frames.

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The pistols were made by Leopold Becher of Carlsbad, and were used in numerous duels until they became the property of the poet George Gordon Noel Byron, sixth Baron Byron (22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824) who used the pistols for firing at empty brandy bottles. Whilst Byron accepted a challenge to a duel, it did not proceed as it was felt his death would be too great a loss. The flintlock mechanism was subsequently replaced with superior percussion hammers. I have come to inherit these very fine pistols which are on display at my retreat on the Dorsetshire coast.

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Byron’s great uncle, the fifth Baron, had killed William Chaworth in a duel in 1765 and been fined. I would recommend as further reading to those with an interest in the poet and his contemporaries my book Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know which biography reveals much about Lord Byron, Lady Caroline Lamb and the Romantic Movement of which they were undoubtedly leading lights.

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