Long known for its Gothic atmosphere and its gothier clientèle, the Devonshire Arms Public House is finding itself in the midst of a supernatural sighting that puzzles even its owners, people accustomed to the strangeness of its patrons.

Police Sketch of the Suspect

Last night, just prior to the pub closing, the Arms called the local constabulary, reporting a brawl breaking out between most of its clientèle and a single patron.  When they arrived, the police were tasked with sorting out the survivors from the wreckage of the bar.  Some thirty patrons had been severely beaten and thrown about the Arm’s taproom along with most of the furniture.

One of the survivors, who refused to be identified, claimed that the bar had been destroyed by some sort of patchwork Frankenstein monster.  The monster, who had been quietly drinking in the bar, had apparently gone berserk and began attacking another patron after last call.  A number of bar patrons, their courage sufficiently bolstered by drink, ran to the rescue of their compatriot, prompting the creature to pick up the large pieces of furniture.  Soon, a bar wide brawl broke out.

Another witness, who also refuses to be named, said that the creature was provoked, when a drunken lout began pawing at the monster’s companion.  When warned away, the patron redoubled his efforts, prompting a response from the patchwork monster.

Neither the creature, nor its companion has been seen since the event at the public house, and management has promised to open the Devonshire Arms tonight, as usual.

Police have released a sketch of the creature, and are asking the public for any information on its whereabouts.

Headlines, Stories

Excalibur, one of the longtime myths and mysteries of England has been uncovered by a local farmer.  Geoffrey Teasdale, a landowner bordering Salisbury Plain, had uncovered the artifact while draining a small marsh on his farm.  According to Mr Teasdale, the sword had lain about a half meter below the surface of the water, and the hilt broke surface, shining as if it was on display.  The farmer waded out to retrieve the blade, half expecting a prank of some sort.

Finding the blade intact, Mr Teasdale rushed excitedly back to his home to alert the local authorities.

“I knew what it was right away.  Carved into the blade was some Latin script.  Hard to read, but I hadn’t attended Church for the last forty seven years and not picked up a thing or two.”

Unfortunately, for Mr Teasdale, his home was burglarized that night, and the blade lost to vandals.  Authorities at the British Museum cast doubt on the farmer’s find, claiming that if he had indeed found anything, it was certainly not the legendary Excalibur.

The Teasdale family has posted a reward for the return of the blade, standing by the claim that it’s the true Excalibur.

“It’s a part of England’s history.  An important part.  It shouldn’t be in the hands of criminals or a private collection.  The sword belongs to all of us.”

Mr Teasdale had planned on donating the blade to the British Museum once it had been authenticated.

Headlines, Stories