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Our history
The original part of the pub, goes back to the 16th century, with a low ceiling
and sturdy oak beams adorned with traps and old gadgets. On the ceiling and
walls there are swords, bayonets, logging saws, horse bits, martingales, horse
brasses, 18th century punt guns, ankers and farm implements such as hop shovels
and marl pit cutters. Locals believe that the friendly ghost of a long dead
highwayman roams the Inn at night.
"By Marlpit Oak, a lofty landmark
on a bare heath, beloved of deer stealers
in the old poaching days, with a dense
thicket round it's knees, good to hide
in, there lurked one night three men
of the outlaw type who used to hunt
the forest. They were lying in wait
a traveller known to be returning to
his home with a large sum of money.
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Inside the
pub
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"Though there were three to one,
he showed fight, so they murdered him
and dragged his body to Latchmoor,
where they threw it into the pool.
"Across the moor at Setley stood
a little Inne of evil repute, called
the Three Feathers, or the Three Pigeons,
or some such name.
"There they called for drinks,
threw their money about freely, and
bragged in their cups, so they were
taken and hanged at Marlpit Oak.
"The bodies, hanging in chains,
have mouldered into dust, the gallows
tree no longer adorns the spot where
the now cheery foxhounds meet on many
a winter morning, but it was some time
before the Inne recovered from its
evil savour. People would call it the
Three Murderers, so at last it was
pulled down, rebuilt and rechristened
as the Oddfellows Arms, under which
title it became a respectable wayside
hostelry.
"The ghost who has been heard
and felt by all that lived here, and
many of the customers, is reputed to
be one of the Highwaymen, repentant
for his evil deed."
(This legend appears in the (undated)
book The New Forest by Elizabeth Godfrey,
published by Blackie and Sons Ltd.,
London and Glasgow.)
Be assured that the ghost is still
around and makes his presence felt
by either just passing by or by flinging
ornaments across the room. The staff
certainly use him as an excuse when
something is amiss!
(c) 2006 the Filly Inn
Site hosted by New Forest Online
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