"Martin's Close" is a ghost story by British writer M. R. James, included in his 1911 collection ''

More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary ''More Ghost Stories'' is a horror short story collection by British writer M. R. James, published in 1911. Some later editions under the title ''Ghost Stories of an Antiquary'' contain it and the earlier ''Ghost Stories of an Antiquary'' in one ...

''.

Plot summary

The story is presented as a report of a trial in the year 1684, before

Judge Jeffreys George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys, PC (15 May 1645 – 18 April 1689), also known as "the Hanging Judge", was a Welsh judge. He became notable during the reign of King James II, rising to the position of Lord Chancellor (and serving a ...

. Squire George Martin has been accused of murdering a young girl named Ann Clark, with whom he had a one-sided romance. The prosecution presents the case that Martin murdered Ann Clark, because she ruined a good marriage proposal for him. During the trial, an event is described in which Martin acted in a guilty manner when confronted with a possible apparition of the girl. In the end, Martin is found guilty of the crime, despite his attempt to have the case dismissed on a legal technicality, and is sentenced to death.

Adaptations

A version of the story, ''

Martin's Close "Martin's Close" is a ghost story by British writer M. R. James, included in his 1911 collection '' More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary''. Plot summary The story is presented as a report of a trial in the year 1684, before Judge Jeffreys. Squi ...

'', adapted by

Mark Gatiss Mark Gatiss (; born 17 October 1966) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, producer and novelist. His work includes writing for and acting in the television series '' Doctor Who'', '' Sherlock'', and '' Dracula''. Together with ...

, was broadcast on 24 December 2019 on

BBC Four BBC Four is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It was launched on 2 March 2002

as part of the long-running '' A Ghost Story for Christmas'' series. It stars

Peter Capaldi Peter Dougan Capaldi (; born 14 April 1958) is a Scottish actor, director, writer and musician. He portrayed the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor in '' Doctor Who'' (2013–2017) and Malcolm Tucker in '' The Thick of It'' (2005–2012), fo ...

, Elliot Levey,

Wilf Scolding Wilfred John Scolding (born 25 April 1990) is a British actor. On television, he is known for his role in the BBC One drama ''The Passing Bells'' (2014) and the Netflix series ''The One'' (2021). His films include '' Bees Make Honey'' (2017). Ear ...

, Sara Crowe, James Holmes, Jessica Temple, Simon Williams, Fisayo Akinade, and Ian Hallard.

References

External links

* *
Full text of "Martin's Close"
*
A Podcast to the Curious
Episode 14 - Martin's Close * Short stories by M. R. James 1911 short stories Ghosts in written fiction Short stories adapted into films Horror short stories {{1910s-horror-story-stub