In a surprising twist during a routine job, Chris Fellows, a thatcher from Oxfordshire, stumbled upon an unexpected piece of history tucked away in the roof of an old property.
While preparing a roof for a new dormer window, he discovered a pair of women’s shoes hidden within the thatch—a find steeped in centuries-old superstition.
A Superstitious Tradition Comes to Light
The shoes, believed to date back to the early 19th century, were likely placed in the roof to ward off witches and evil spirits.
During that era, it was common to bury shoes or hide them in buildings to trap malevolent forces, a practice rooted in European folklore.
“We did a bit of research and realized they were put there to fend off witches and evil spirits,” Chris shared.
The discovery left Chris and his team stunned.
“We find things in roofs occasionally, but nothing like this. This is a really good find,” he said.
The unexpected nature of the discovery even led the team to take the rest of the day off out of respect for the superstition.
“We didn’t want to tempt fate,” Chris admitted with a laugh.
The Moment of Discovery
Chris described how he found the shoes while stripping the roof’s final layer.
“I put my hand into a cavity and felt something unusual,” he recounted.
“When I pulled them out, I was shocked to see a pair of shoes.”
His curiosity led him to research their origin, confirming they were more than 200 years old and tied to the practice of warding off spirits.
A Historical Treasure Returned to Its Place
Rather than remove the shoes, Chris and the homeowners decided to honor their historical significance.
The shoes were placed back into the thatch, accompanied by a modern-day time capsule from the family living in the house.
“It’s one of the best things we’ve found,” Chris said.
“It has real historic interest.”
The Everyday Discoveries of a Thatcher
Chris has been working as a thatcher for over two decades, a craft he learned from his stepdad.
Over the years, he’s grown accustomed to finding intriguing items while working on thatched properties, from old newspapers to vintage tools.
“I haven’t found my bag of gold coins yet,” he joked, “but there’s still time.”
A Perfect Find Before Halloween
Interestingly, the discovery of the shoes came just a week before Halloween—a fitting coincidence given their purpose in keeping away witches.
Chris, who works on eight to ten properties a year, appreciates the unique connection to the past his job provides.
“It’s fascinating to think about the stories behind these objects,” he said.
This extraordinary find serves as a reminder of the superstitions and traditions that once shaped everyday life—and how the past can unexpectedly resurface in the most surprising ways.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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