Busby’s Chair: Why It’s Kept Hanging on a Wall and the Mystery Behind Its Legacy

Busby’s Chair, also known as the “Chair of Death,” has earned a reputation that is difficult to ignore. After a series of unexplained accidents and deaths were linked to those who sat in it, the infamous chair was finally suspended from the ceiling of Thirsk Museum in North Yorkshire in 1978. The chair is kept hanging on a wall to prevent anyone from sitting in it, following claims that those who used it later suffered fatal misfortunes.

The story behind the chair involves a convicted man named Thomas Busby, whose chilling history and supposed curse have fueled fascination for decades. Today, the chair remains untouched, hanging where no one can take a seat, surrounded by warning signs and curiosity from visitors who wonder about its dark legacy.

History of Busby’s Chair

Busby’s Chair became infamous due to its alleged curse and connection to violent events in North Yorkshire. Its origins lie in a notorious murder, with the life of Thomas Busby at the center of its dark reputation.

Origins and Background

The chair, often called Busby’s Stoop Chair or the Dead Man’s Chair, is made of oak and dates back to the late 17th or early 18th century. It was originally found at the Busby Stoop Inn, located near the village of Thirsk in North Yorkshire.

The inn’s name reflects its association with Thomas Busby. The chair stood in the pub for generations, becoming an ordinary part of the furniture until its reputation began to change in the early 1700s.

Over time, claims emerged about its supposedly cursed nature. The story gained traction locally, with tales spreading that misfortune would strike anyone who dared to sit in it.

thomas busby and daniel awety

Thomas Busby was a local man with a reputation for violent and criminal behavior. His father-in-law, Daniel Awety, owned the Busby Stoop Inn and was involved in illicit activities, reportedly running a coin-forging operation from the premises.

Tensions between Busby and Awety culminated in a deadly argument in 1702. After a dispute—allegedly about the chair itself—Busby murdered Awety. Busby was tried, convicted for the crime, and executed by hanging near the inn.

According to local legend, Busby cursed the chair while on his way to the gallows. He is claimed to have sworn revenge on anyone who sat in it from that point on.

Notorious Events at busby stoop inn

The Busby Stoop Inn became the main setting for the chair’s legend. Over the centuries, people reported a series of deaths, injuries, and mishaps linked to those who sat in the chair. These stories fueled the chair’s reputation for bad luck.

By the 20th century, the pattern of accidents and fatalities had become well known in the area. Locals and staff noted several incidents—often road accidents—following individuals sitting in the chair.

To prevent further incidents, the chair was eventually removed from public use. It now hangs from the wall in the Thirsk Museum, out of reach, as a precaution due to its infamous history.

The Curse of Busby’s Chair

Busby’s Chair has developed a reputation that rests on a history of crime, mystery, and untimely deaths. The chair’s chilling story, numerous fatal incidents, and personal testimonies from visitors shape its status as one of England’s most notorious haunted objects.

The Story Behind the Cursed Chair

The origins of Busby’s Chair trace back to Thomas Busby of North Yorkshire in the late 17th century. It is said that Busby, after a heated argument, murdered his father-in-law, Daniel Auty, in 1702. The dispute, reportedly sparked over Busby’s deep attachment—some say love—for the chair, linked him forever to its legacy.

Before his execution, Busby allegedly placed a curse on the chair, declaring doom upon anyone who sat in it. His hanging and the warning both became local legend. The chair remained at the inn where he lived, and stories of its curse spread over generations.

Accounts of Violent Death and Tragedy

Several accounts claim that people who sat in the chair met sudden or violent deaths soon after. In the 20th century, soldiers, deliverymen, and even cleaners reportedly suffered fatal accidents or, in some cases, heart attacks that locals attributed to the chair’s curse. These patterns contributed to fears about the chair’s alleged supernatural power.

Eyewitnesses and newspaper reports cite cases where those who dared to use the chair died in car crashes, workplace incidents, or suffered medical emergencies soon after. The growing number of incidents led staff at Thirsk Museum in the 1970s to take decisive action. To prevent further tragedy, the chair was suspended from the ceiling, physically out of reach, effectively neutralizing its threat according to local belief.

Claims and Legends Told by Visitors

Visitors to both the original inn and later the Thirsk Museum recount a range of stories about Busby’s Chair. Some describe a palpable sense of fear or unease around the object. Others insist they have felt unexplained chills, pressure, or negativity when standing close to it.

Anecdotes from tour guides and guests detail warnings issued to anyone tempted to sit in the chair. Many guests express curiosity, but most respect the legends and keep their distance. Discussions with museum staff reveal that the reputation of violent death keeps the story alive, making the chair one of the museum’s most talked-about artifacts.

Why Busby’s Chair Hangs on a Wall

Busby’s Chair, also known as the Busby Stoop Chair, was removed from everyday use due to its notorious history and numerous reported incidents. Its display at the Thirsk Museum is designed to address both safety concerns and the importance of preserving this unique object.

Preventing Further Harm

Over the years, several fatal accidents have been linked to individuals who sat in the Busby Stoop Chair. These incidents, often reported by local sources and museum records, have contributed to the chair's reputation as being cursed.

To minimize risk, the chair is deliberately kept out of reach. The museum chose to hang it high on the wall, following both public concerns and the explicit wishes of the chair’s prior owner. This prevents accidental use by visitors, staff, or cleaners.

By removing the chance for anyone to sit in it, the Thirsk Museum directly addresses both folklore and real-world worries. The decision supports visitor safety and acknowledges the repeated pattern of reported misfortune tied to the chair.

Preservation and Safety Measures

Raising the Busby Chair off the ground also serves a conservation purpose. Suspended from the ceiling, the chair faces less exposure to wear, damage, or tampering by the public.

Museum staff enforce this policy through physical barriers and regular inspections. No one is permitted to touch or handle the chair, preserving its original structure and materials.

The wall mount is arranged so the chair cannot be used or moved accidentally. This method balances historical accessibility with necessary protection, ensuring the Busby Stoop Chair remains a distinct artifact of British folklore while safeguarding both the object and visitors.

Cultural Impact and Wartime Connections

Busby’s Chair became known not only for its sinister myth but also its ties to military personnel during major global conflicts. Its reputation grew significantly in the 20th century, especially with servicemen during World War II.

The Royal Canadian Air Force and World War II

The chair’s legend found new life at an airfield used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II. The RCAF operated from various RAF bases in England, including those near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, where Busby’s Chair was kept in a local pub.

Servicemen became fascinated with the story of the cursed chair. According to reports, the superstition that anyone who sat in the chair would not return from their next mission spread rapidly among aircrews.

The pub, frequented by Canadian and British servicemen, became a focal point for both socializing and eerie storytelling. Over time, the number of airmen who reportedly sat in Busby’s Chair and did not return from sorties contributed to the chair's reputation within military circles.

Use in Bombing Sorties

The connection between the chair and bombing missions became deeply intertwined with airmen’s routines. It was rumored among crews that those who sat in the chair were particularly unlucky or even doomed on their next sortie.

Lists of names and anecdotes circulated, claiming fatal accidents followed soon after the chair was used, especially by Allied airmen on dangerous bombing raids over Europe. These tales increased local anxiety and strengthened the chair’s ominous status among airfield personnel.

As reports of losses mounted, the story helped reinforce caution and reinforced existing superstitions about luck and fate among crews. This led some commanders to ask that the chair be removed from public access, which resulted in the chair being hung from the ceiling to prevent further use.

Airfield Legends

Within the airfields, Busby’s Chair became a kind of informal legend, passed among RAF and RCAF personnel. Stories were shared in mess halls and pubs, turning the chair into an object of morbid fascination and a symbol of wartime danger.

Legends connected to the chair grew, with exaggerated claims that sitting in it was tantamount to signing a death warrant. Maintenance workers and bar staff at the pub refused to go near the chair, adding to its forbidding reputation.

By the late 20th century, the chair was considered so notorious that it was officially mounted on a wall—out of reach and out of use. The story remains a case study of how folklore can shape the culture and behavior of military communities under extreme stress.

Busby’s Chair Today

Busby’s chair is currently on prominent display at Thirsk Museum, attracting both visitors and locals. Its unusual presentation and legendary reputation make it a notable point of interest in Thirsk.

Display at Thirsk Museum

The Busby chair is now suspended from the ceiling at Thirsk Museum. This display was implemented in response to its reputation for causing fatal accidents, which were linked to those who sat in it during the 1970s. By hanging the chair, museum staff prevent anyone from sitting on it, which aligns with the wishes of both previous owners and curators.

Information panels and displays provide visitors with background on Thomas Busby, the history of the chair, and its supposed curse. The placement of the chair above head height ensures safety and highlights its distinct status within the museum’s collection. Only maintenance staff can access it, and even then, contact is minimized for precaution.

Role in Local Tourism

Busby’s chair has become a focal attraction for Thirsk Museum and the wider area of Thirsk. Many visitors are drawn by its dark history and the legends surrounding its supposed curse. Local tours and museum marketing often feature the chair as a highlight, bringing increased attention to the museum.

Tourism materials frequently mention the story behind the chair’s curse, encouraging curiosity and boosting museum attendance. School groups, researchers, and tourists regularly ask about the chair, making it one of the most discussed exhibits in the museum. For many, seeing the suspended chair in person provides a tangible connection to Thirsk’s history and folklore.

Lasting Legacy of Busby’s Chair

Busby’s Chair remains a prominent artifact linked to eighteenth-century Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Its legacy is shaped by persistent folklore, its impact on local identity, and references across modern media and culture.

Ongoing Fascination and Folklore

For over 300 years, Busby’s Chair has been the focus of stories claiming it brings misfortune or even death to those who sit in it. Many visitors to the Thirsk Museum ask about the legend or refuse to approach the chair when they see it suspended high on the wall.

Its cursed history is said to originate with Thomas Busby, who was executed for murder in 1702 and allegedly pronounced a curse on the chair as he faced the gallows. These tales continue to circulate in North Yorkshire and beyond, with some stories connecting the chair to accidents, unexplained deaths, or streaks of bad luck after people have reportedly sat in it.

Efforts by museum staff to keep the chair out of reach—by raising it securely above the ground—underscore the seriousness with which the story is regarded. This ongoing mystique helps sustain the object’s reputation and draws curiosity from locals and tourists alike.

Influence on Local Identity

The history of Busby’s Chair is closely tied to Thirsk and its surrounding region. Local businesses, guides, and even pub owners reference the legend in their stories and tours. Some residents see the chair as a notable part of Thirsk’s identity, weaving it into the broader tapestry of North Yorkshire folklore.

Community groups have periodically used the chair’s story in local events or fundraisers, while the Thirsk Museum features it as a key attraction. The legend’s link to notorious local events—such as the murder and Busby’s marriage to his victim’s daughter—adds to its cultural significance.

This connection has endured, making the chair not just a relic, but a symbol representing centuries of local history, warning, and fascination for generations of residents and visitors.

References in Modern Culture

Busby’s Chair has appeared in documentary segments, online articles, and horror-focused media, ensuring its story is shared well beyond North Yorkshire. Television programs exploring “haunted” or cursed objects frequently highlight the chair, often including interviews with museum staff or visitors.

Additionally, travel bloggers and writers mention the chair as a must-see attraction in Thirsk. The chair has even inspired creative works, such as short stories or features in magazines examining British folklore and cursed relics.

These references keep the story visible in the public consciousness and introduce the legend to new audiences worldwide, reinforcing the enduring reputation of Busby’s Chair as an object of both intrigue and caution.