Monday, February 15

The Reincarnation of James Fletcher

James Scott, Duke of MonmouthA story today about reincarnation.

Edward Ryall hails from Benfleet in Essex and appears to have clear memories of a previous life when he was named John Fletcher some 300+ years ago.

Edward says, "I am 99% certain that reincarnation is the only explanation for what I remember of those days."

It all started as a child when distant memories flooded his mind of places he had never known. Often he would use words that were in an unknown dialect, not associated to where he lived in Essex.

Nothing else significant really happened until he was in his fifties and was taking a holiday. He was driving down a country lane near Bridgewater in Somerset (England) and where the Battle of Sedgemoor took place.

In Edward's words: "All of a sudden I knew this was the place I had always seen in my mind. The only thing was it was not quite right. It was the wrong way round. I was used to looking at it from the other side. Then gaps in my story filled themselves in.

WEstonzoyland, SomersetMy memories were those of John Fletcher, a 40 year old farmer, with two sons, living in a village called Westonzoyland, some three miles from Bridgewater. In July 1685 a nobleman arrived in our parish to head a peasant army. Many of my friends were persuaded to join him.

John Fletcher finally succumbed and went to help the others on the moor. Again from Edward/John:

"Some of our men were mounted and it was the horses which gave us away. They smelled the enemy horses and started to whinny. I must confess to having turned tail and run."

He was, however, chased by an opposing horseman. "I heard a swishing, whistling sound. Then there was a great red flash in my head - then nothing." John Fletcher was killed.

This may, perhaps, all sound very fanciful but a few of the facts check out.

Edward/John mentioned that the winter prior to his death was very hard - it was.

He described the church at Westonzoyland and the fact that the staircase ran up the inside wall. These stairs no longer exist now but records show that in the 17th century there was such a flight of stairs. St Mary’s Church, Westonzoyland served as a prison for around 500 troops after the Battle of Sedgemoor

History also shows that James Scott, the 1st Duke of Monmouth (photo top left), pitched camp near Westonzoyland prior to foolishly attacking the forces of the Earl of Favesham and that a scouting party was lost.

Sceptics will always say that Edward Ryall may simply have been remembering things taught as a child. He strongly denies this however, "There is no question of my hearing all this sometime before and subconsciously remembering it. These memories have been with me since early childhood."

It is up to individuals as to what they believe.

Images on this post in Public Domain.

Further Reading:
The Mantlepiece Buddha


  1. Great story. I hadn't heard this one. Google James Leinenger. His story is the best in the western world.

  2. Trish and Rob: Thanks - will do!

  3. Now I have no idea whether the story is possible or not, but I love that portrait of Monmouth. What a handsome, well dressed fellow!

    Monmouth was a bit of a dill, actually. He was the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II and could have lived a fine old life. But instead he had himself crowned as the next truly Protestant king and was, of course, promptly executed.

  4. Hels: Executed, I believe, not long after the Battle of Sedgemoor. As you say a fine looking man!

  5. Excellent straight forward story. Reincarnation is an interesting topic which has not been fully described with supporting information. You have fertile ground to continue this topic.

    Good luck.


  6. I knew immediately that painting was Jamie Scott the bastard son of King Charles the II and his mistress Lucy Walters. Jamie was the most beloved child of King Charles. They were 18 years apart in age. He coddled Jamie allowing him to live as if he was the Prince Royal but when suppositions aroused that Charles II had married Lucy Walters at the Hague Jamie was convinced that he was entitled to the throne. Yes, he did lead an uprising against his uncle James later King James. Jamie Scott was one of the most determined handsome young men to rise up even against his father. The Rye House Plot is where he and a group of his followers tried to blow the King and his brother James up. It failed.
    I have written about them. I have always been drawn to King Charles the II and Whitehall palace. This is the most wonderful civil war in England's history. Followed by the restoration. Jamie 1st Duke of Monmouth was caught, his head shaved, and hanged.