There is not much evidence of evil doings at Middleton Hall, although there were many early deaths of people who could have gone on to do great things. Notable among these was Francis Willughby the naturalist.

A son of Henry, the first Willoughby to own the estate, became Sir Hugh Willoughby and was chosen to lead an expedition favoured by Henry VIII, to find a route to the Orient via the Arctic Ocean. There he perished with all of his crew in a mystery that rivals the Marie Celeste. Perhaps his spirit returned to the Hall, which was his home.

The unhappiest relationship to touch Middleton was between Francis Willoughby and Elizabeth Lyttleton, his first wife. One version of history has it that he poisoned her. Another story is that Francis was himself poisoned by his second wife.

But perhaps there are among the lesser characters in the history of Middleton any number of wicked doings that were not recorded. Then again perhaps we have only happy spirits.