Hello, and thank you for purchasing "Mother Shipman's Curse". A few rules here to help you with your game.

1: DO NOT close the page that contains the game. This will log you out completely and you will be taken back to the start. You can move through the quest by pressing next and previous however do not close the page it is on. You can swap tabs and switch pages with no problems. 

2: You will have to solve a series of clues and puzzles to work through the game. Please note; there are hints you can ask for to give you a nudge what to do however if you are well and truly stuck the downloadable answer sheet with the correct answers was emailed to you on purchase. (Only look if you are in desperate need - no peeking). The answers may be drop down answers, multiple choice or require you to write in a word/letters or numbers. Just make sure to always check the spelling.

 (Only look if you are in desperate need - no peeking). The answers may be drop down answers, multiple choice or require you to write in a word/letters or numbers. Just make sure to always check the spelling.

3. You can go forward and backwards in between pages so you can check on orientation and where you have been.

4. If you click on an image to open it, it will open in a new tab. When you are completed it and want to shut it down just make sure you do not close the original page. You could also just zoom in on the picture instead of opening it. 

5. You will also learn lots of interesting facts about Knaresborough as you progress through. Just make sure to tick the box after the fact to allow you to continue.

6: There is absolutely no time limit, so feel free to pop into any bars/pubs or shops that you want on your way around; sampling the delights that Knaresborough has to offer. 

7. Lastly; have fun and good luck.

Recently you decided to investigate your family tree and found some rather disturbing information which you have traced back to a soothsayer of 1540 - Mother Shipton.

 Mother Shipton is England’s most famous prophetess. She foretold many future events as well as being skilled in the art of making traditional remedies. She could predict the future. It started off with small premonitions but as she practised, she became more confident and her powers grew. She died aged 73. She was initially called Ursula and born in 1488. Her mother was called Agatha and was only aged 15 when she had Ursula and would not reveal the name of the father. Agatha raised Ursula in a cave until a local Abbott rescued them and gave Ursula to a local family and Agatha was sent to a nunnery.

 As you research in further detail you find that Ursula had some physical issues that the local children were mean about. She had a large hooked nose, a bent back and twisted legs.

 Your research uncovers that your descendants were part of the village. The interesting thing that you find is that since that time every generation of yours has suffered some calamity or other and you have now discovered in an ancient book buried deep in the York Minster supposedly written by Mother Shipton.

 You now feel that you have a duty to find the Hex and destroy the curse affecting your family. But where to start?

Within the ancient book are also some clues to find the Hex.  There are many answers to find but you will not know which one is relevant until the end so get them all and keep a record of them.

You read the first line:

“There will be a chapel built in the town but what is behind the pastor?’

You believe you know where this is and make your way to the Gracious Street Methodist Chapel on Chapel Street but what is behind the pastor?

Every June, Knaresborough hosts its annual bed race, in which 90 teams of six runners and one passenger race to complete a 2.4 mile course around the town. It has been held since 1966, when the newly formed Knaresborough Round table wanted a new fundraiser for the community. The event has since become a highly anticipated and popular event around the county. The course starts at Knaresborough castle, where the teams are judged for the best bed design. At 1pm they parade through the town centre in fancy dress. Afterwards the decorations are then stripped off in preparation for the race itself, which includes a 20m swim across The River Nidd and through the castle gorge. The average time for the winners is around 15 minutes and the event generates an estimated £100,000 for charity.

Well done you have started well. The next line reads

 “The chemist will be the oldest in England but when does it date from?”

You have an idea where this is so facing the church you turn left and see a building called ‘Market Tavern’. You walk towards and past this and make your way into the market square where you look for the chemist.

In the marketplace lies the oldest chemist shop in England, which was established by John Beckwith, although the building itself dates back to Medieval times. Nowadays it is a gift shop selling jams, confectionery and herbal remedies. Outside, Knaresborough Market is held every Wednesday and has been since 1310.

Yes that must be correct.

 You now read the third question:

“My image is there but what am I holding in my left hand?”

You remain in the square and commence your search. Can you work out what to look for?

You now feel you’re well on the way to solving the riddle and you feel confident to look at the next question.

"So stand facing my statue and walk off to the right, to the end of the square. Add together all the dates and numbers that you find on a plaque entitled Knaresborough Synagogue"

You find the plaque, but can you work out the code?

Another notable landmark is the statue of local character, John Metcalf, otherwise known as “Blind Jack,” also found on a seat in the market square. Born in 1717 and blind from the age of six he was responsible for building some of the North’s first turnpike roads, most notably a section between Harrogate to Wetherby, becoming a pioneer in road-building and route-planning, despite his severe disability. Throughout an interesting life he was also an accomplished violinist and tour guide.

You’re still on track as the next question just says

"Now do the same with the Alms House”

 You have no idea where that is, so you decide to ask at the police station. If you stand looking at the plaque, turn to your left and begin to walk.

As you are walking towards the police station you see another plaque on a wall and realise its the one you want. You will need to switch your brains on again.

Knaresborough Castle is a Norman ruin and was an important Royalist stronghold during the Civil War, before being taken and destroyed by Parliamentarian forces in 1644. Nowadays the ruin, including the 700-year old King’s Tower is open to the public and visitors can explore its dungeons and learn about the history of the castle through guided tours. The grounds include the Courtroom museum, where visitors can experience a Tudor court and find out about crime and punishment during this period.

Well done again. You venture on reading the next clue:

"They will erect a national school here. Find the school and work out the clue"

You carry on towards the police station but something draws you slightly beyond it. So walk past the police station towards the castle keeping the station on your left.

You find the the National School. But can you work out the code?

The Nidd Gorge is a beautiful wooded landscape just upstream of the town, rich in wildlife and following the winding course of the river Nidd.  The Nidd Gorge makes a great spot for walks, picnics and wildlife watching for all the family.

Jump on the bike and go for a ride; the Beryl Burton Cycle Way is a Sustrans route allowing cyclists to ride to Harrogate, Bilton and Ripley by traffic free routes.   With a stunning view from atop the grade II listed Nidd Valley Viaduct, idyllic paths through fields and the odd pub along the way.

All the spells below are famous witch expressions. None of these will help you on your quest but hopefully will add a little bit of fun to your jouney!

 The witch belongs everywhere but fits in nowhere

 Just because it is difficult does not mean it is not your destiny

He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned

Better to desist in spell making than be careless with it.

Where rosemary grows the missus is master

A witch that cannot curse cannot cure

If you would be powerful first conquer yourself

The witch of skill is not known by her means but by her results.

Witchery is better than beauty

A witch that sleeps with a sword must rise with wounds

All evil deeds are repaid on earth

Congratulations team, you are progressing well and the scroll seems to be giving off more and more energy as you solve the clues. 

You look at the next clue and make your way to the castle as the next bit of the text reads:

To progress forward and relieve me of my power, find the name of the Castle's main tower"

The castle was first built by a Norman baron in 1100 AD on a cliff above the River Nidd. There is documentary evidence dating from 1130 referring to works carried out at the castle by Henry I. In the 1170s Hugh de Moreville and his followers took refuge there after assassinating Thomas Becket.

Marvellous team....keep up the good work.

You stay in the same location as you see a picture appear in front of you. Can you find what is missing from the view?

Well done, you feel you are nearly there to solving this madness.

 As you read the next clue it states

"Find the name of my gardens where I grew my herbs”

 You will have to walk anticlockwise around the edge of the wall from the tower. When you see a swimming pool go down the steps Follow the steps down and then up again to find the garden. The steps are steep so be careful.

Mother Shipton is England's most famous Prophetess. She foretold the fates of several rulers within and just after her lifetime, as well as the invention of iron ships, the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

You sense you are nearly there...just one more to go. Walk back up the steps and turn right and walk until you get to the two turrets. Walk through them and find a mosaic.

 "What colour is the cross arounds the queens neck

As you turn the pages that had the clues on them you notice the last set of partial words materialise in front of you: you sense that you have to fill in the three words with the answers you have:

K _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ E

_ _ _

In the 1930s, usually on Monday evenings, boxing bouts were held in a ring behind the Elephant & Castle in High. The Knaresborough boxer, Leslie 'Dot' Fowler, was well-known throughout northern England. Following boxing, he opened up a barber's shop at the bottom of the High Street.