GhostFamous
Olaf the Black Monk
Grief at the altar.
See it clearly
- What's there
- Ruined priory on a headland
- Legend from
- North Tyneside
- Tone
- Melancholy
A Viking who became a monk.
Legend says Olaf, a Viking wounded in a raid on Tynemouth, was nursed by the monks, converted and became a monk. When the Vikings raided again his brother was killed; Olaf died grieving in the priory chapel, and his ghost is said to wander the grounds gazing out to sea. The monastery really was raided in 800, 832, 865, 870 and 875.