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Time Slip- Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain - The Ghost of Versailles

Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain Time Slip Timetravel

Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain Time Slip Timetravel

Time Travel in France - The Moberly-Jourdain Incident

A day trip to Versailles.

It was a warm summers day, on the 10th of August 1901, and two friends, Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain, were enjoying a day out in Versailles France, as part of their vacation. As the day slowly drew closer to evening, the two ladies decided to visit the Petit Trianon,
and began to make their way slowly around the lovely gardens, admiring the flowers and commenting on what a lovely holiday they had been enjoying. They had both visited the palace and decided that they didn't want to leave until they had explored everything that the park had to offer.
And this is when the strange story started to unfold. The following events are one of the most amazing tales of possible time travel, or spontaneous time slips ever recorded.

After walking around for some time, they suddenly realised that they had no idea where they were. They had both become lost, and couldn't understand why they did not recognise any landmarks.
After turning a corner, they both saw a deserted farmhouse, and noticed an old farm plough by the side of the road.

After a few minutes a sudden feeling of oppression started to descend on them, and they both began to feel very strange. Suddenly out of nowhere they saw two men approaching them, dressed in strange attire. As the men got closer, the ladies realised that the men were wearing
these strange clothes, which they did not recognise. Long greyish green coats and tricorn hats. Approaching the men, the ladies asked them how to get to the Petit Trianon, and they were directed down a path that they hadn't seen before.


The dark mood had become very heavy by this time, and the women were beginning to feel quite ill. The cloying scent of flowers and the warmth of the day, began to take there toll. They decided to rest underneath a tree, and using their fans to produce a semblance of breeze, they realised to their astonishment, that everything had become very still and overly quiet. By this time both ladies were becoming a little uneasy. Anne and Eleanor were not young women prone to moments of fancy and panic, they were both respected academics, and known in their circle of friends to be very serious and intelligent. But by now, they both realised that something was not quite right. After spotting a gazebo, they decided to go over and have a rest.

Much to their surprise there was a man leaning against one of the posts. They had no idea where he had come from, but were dismayed to see the unpleasant look on his face. He had obviously suffered from smallpox, as his face was pitted and unpleasant.
Just then, the ladies heard someone shouting that they were going the wrong way, and not being able to see who it was, they decided to take the advice anyway and turned back around and much to their surprise, they both saw a small bridge, which they were being
directed to cross.
Not wanting any trouble they made their way over the bridge and saw what they believed to be the Petit Trianon.

As they got nearer, they both saw a woman sitting on a stool, sketching. She was wearing an old fashioned dress which was covered with a pale green scarf. At this point, Anne and Eleanor both felt very heavy and suppressed again. The air felt as though it had got very
thick and still. They both watched the woman sketching for some time, trying to get their breath back. Suddenly a footman came rushing out of a nearby building and began herding them towards another entrance to the Petite Trianon. he said that they were on the wrong side and directed them to the right door. By the time they had gone around the corner of the building, they saw a wedding party, and realised that at that same time, the strange mood and stillness had lifted as though time had started up again.

The ghost of Versailles

Ghosts or timeslips?

Ghosts or timeslips?

Comparing notes - Timeslip or Ghosts?

Three months later, when Anne and Eleanor met up again and where talking about the trip, Anne happened to mention the strange woman that she had seen sketching. Eleanor looked at her in amazement.
'I never saw a woman sketching' she exclaimed. They were intrigued by this mystery and decided to write down exactly what had happened. By this time, events began to take a strange turn. Both ladies realised that they had seen different things, at different locations.
Investigating further, they realised that in fact on that day that they had visited the gardens, it had been the Anniversary of the sacking of the Tuileries, which was the events surrounding Marie Antoinette, and Louis the XV1. They had both witnessed the massacre
of their Swiss guards, and then been imprisoned in the Hall of the Assembly.

Anne and Eleanor began to think that maybe they had seen the ghost of Marie Antoinette, or somehow picked up a memory of that time, or possibly a time slip, when Marie Antoinette had been sketching just before the massacre. Neither of the ladies knew about this at the time of the
visit to the garden, they only discovered this after serious study three months later.
As if to confirm their suspicion, Anne came across a picture of Marie Antoinette sitting in exactly the same place, and wearing exactly the same clothes that she had seen herself while experiencing the strange occurrence in France.
In January 1902, Eleanor decided to retrace the steps that they had taken, and went back to the gardens to see what she could find.
Nothing.
The place was completely different from what both of the ladies had experienced.

Determined to get to the bottom of the story, both ladies contacted the Society for Psychical research, declaring that the Trianon was haunted.The Society decided that their story was not worth researching and after the initial disappointment, both ladies decided that they would do research of their own. They were convinced that they had seen the ghost of Marie Antoinette or had somehow traveled back into the past. They began to write an account of exactly what had happened. Reading books and searching through any documents that they could find, they began to realise that, what they had both seen was an accurate picture of what had taken place in 1789 Versailles. Neither of the woman had any knowledge of history, and especially not of thiis particular period. The 18th century was not a time that they had studied and felt that this in itself vindicated their story. They became very frustrated. They were not liars, and both ladies had nothing to gain by making up this story. In fact it could go a long way to ruining their reputation.

Did they really see Marie Antoinette?

Marie Antoinette Timeslips

Marie Antoinette Timeslips

An Adventure

In 1911, they published a book titled An Adventure, under the pseudonyms of Miss Morison and Miss Lamont. Below is the evidence that they put together for the book.

They had both seen a plough, but discovered that there was no plough at the time of the visit. But there had been one in the past.

The bridge that they had crossed, did not exist in their time, but was there in 1789.

Marie Antoinette's Swiss guard wore green uniforms, Which is what the ladies both saw.


Comte De Vaudreuil was an enemy of Marie Antoinette. He had a very pockmarked face. Exactly the same as the sinister looking man, that the two ladies had seen.

The door that the footman had rushed out of, just before he saw the ladies and told them to go around to the front of the building, had in fact been barred up years before, and had not been touched since.

This last fact to me, seems the most relevant. If they had seen a reenactment, or somebody just innocently coming out of the door, it would add to the explanation. But this one simple fact, the door being barred for all of those years, says to me that something strange did happen.

Scroll to Continue

After the death of both ladies a few years later, certain incidents in the book started to be questioned. For example. How do we know that they did not read about that time period after visiting France, and subconsciously added points to prove the story to the public?

Yes I understand why they would do it. I they were both fakes. But why would they say something like this, if it had not happened. My point is this. If they did elaborate the story slightly, I believe it was because they were both just trying to make sense of it.

On the day of their visit to the Petit Trianon near Versailles, the weather was hot and stormy. The sky was full of strange electrical phenomena. More so than usual. Is this somehow connected to the incident?

Maybe on that anniversary of such a traumatic day for Marie Antoinette, crossed with such strange electrical storms, a portal opened and Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain stepped back in time, and witnessed the final moments of Marie Antoinette's freedom, before history stepped in and changed her life foreve

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Comments

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on October 03, 2019:

HI Perce, sorry to disagree but its actually real. thanks for reading.

PERCE-NEIGE on October 03, 2019:

That's adapted from a play. It's art & imaginary work.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 12, 2017:

Thanks Kari!

Kari Poulsen from Ohio on September 11, 2017:

What an experience for those 2 ladies. And to have no-one believe them. It must have been frustrating for them! Great story. Off to read another, lol.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 19, 2013:

Thanks Ken!

KenWu from Malaysia on January 18, 2013:

Interesting read. No one can prove if they did lie or not!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 02, 2013:

Hi Steve, nice to see you again! lol! yes I think I do see your point on this one, I must admit that I thought it was a bit strange and too many variations on the scenes to actually say it was one thing or another back then. Its a pity because its a great story, oh well, lol! thanks for coming back, nell

Steve Callum on January 02, 2013:

Recently read up on the Versilles incident. I also read of reports made by the Pyschical research society at the time. I believe that after the original publication in 1911 "An Adventure" subsequent versions made by the ladies in question seemed to be extended, elaborated on. Certain facts did not correspond with earlier statements made and indeed there were facts to suggest that the ladies only came to their final conclusions after much note sharing and research into certain time periods. This is what led them to 'believe' they had slipped back to the late 1700's. It was also discovered that there was a gentleman that lived close to the gardens of versilles and he used to frequently put on historical plays in the grounds in which re enactments occurred, rather like the kind of thing we see today in places where theatrical people might gather to portray before audiences historical seeming events relating to a certain place of historical interest. I must say i do not take the versilles incident so much at face value any more after further a nd much deeper study. There are i have discovered too many variables and only hearsay eveidence to really believe that this event occurred except in the minds of the two ladies. After all they were both in there own ways seeking attention from the academic world and recognition also of there credulity. Perhaps this event was nothing more than another "Amytiville Horror" A case of an afternoon where two bored ladies wandered about the grounds, got lost and together created a 'Ghost Story' Every other time slip story I have researched suggests that witnesses do see the same things, unless they are elaborating and simply 'creating' in their own minds. I know that these elaborations do get passed off as so called evidence of the paranormal but in my eyes they belong in the anals of fiction presenting no credibility whatsoever. That is not to say I do not believe in that elusive 5 percent of unexplained cases because I do, however on this occasion I don't really think the two college teachers really did experience a Time Slip. There is no end to human credulity as someone famous once said.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on October 15, 2012:

Thanks Joe, I will go over and take a look, thanks for reading, nell

Joe on October 15, 2012:

Check out Dr. Bruce Goldberg. He has a show on youtube with George Noory. Very interesting and many other stories along with HOW they occurred. Should be required for all of us as we are all energy.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on July 04, 2012:

Hi Mohan, thanks so much, I love my time travel not sure if its true, but I hope it is! lol!

Mohan Kumar from UK on July 04, 2012:

I love stories like this bordering on the edge of reality- where truth or untruth blurs into one and leaves us with more questions than answers. this is a good one ,Nell!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 28, 2012:

Thanks again misty, glad you liked it, nell

Cindy Lawson from Guernsey (Channel Islands) on April 27, 2012:

Another fabulous and fascinating read Nell.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 23, 2012:

Really enjoyed listening to the music, fascinating! thanks!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 23, 2012:

Hi, Postie, thanks for the links! I will go take a look!

Postie on February 23, 2012:

Here is a clip of Frederic Mercier and Fabrice Cuitad telling of the writing of the song Versailles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDzDIqmwFJA

I thing its more than just the 8 lines suggested earlier in the comments. See what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRN79W3o76g

An rarely played great

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 19, 2012:

Hi, just had a look, now I know what to look out for, thanks!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 19, 2012:

Hi, Sara, thanks, I will go take a look.

Sara on January 19, 2012:

Hi, here is the film previously mentioned. Watched it when I was around ten and never forgotten about it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124008/

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on December 18, 2011:

Thanks Stephen, much appreciated!

stephen kalu from Nigeria on December 18, 2011:

Dont just know where to start.This is great, sweet and sharper than sharpener.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 01, 2011:

Hi, sfrentz, thanks!

sfrentz06 from Sterling Heights, MI, USA on August 31, 2011:

What a wonderful story!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 08, 2011:

Hi, pan, thanks for reading it, I am glad you liked it, cheers nell

April Seldon from New Orleans on March 07, 2011:

Wow I really like that story, I believe that might have happened.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 02, 2011:

Hi, healingrose, maybe it will be possible one day, but if we can go into the future for instance, then why hasn't anybody come back into the past yet? lol well, maybe they have!

healingrose from Northern California on March 01, 2011:

What a great story. What if crossing different time lines is possible? Time travel might be more easier than we think.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 25, 2011:

Hi, Sudhakar Jain, thank you so much for reading it, I expect the film was probably taken from this history, I would love to have seen the film, it bet it was fascinating, thanks again, nell

Sudhakar Jain on February 25, 2011:

Hi, it's amazing!!! I totally believe it's a real story. I remember two decades back I enjoyed a movie (fiction) that resembles the story you had written. Thank you Nell for taking pain to write such an amazing story.

Sudhakar Jain, Bangalore, India

Sjrmpsudhakar26@gmail.com

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on December 28, 2010:

HI, kitty, sorry it took so long to answer, I was a bit poorly yesterday, thanks for reading it, it is fascinating isn't it? cheers nell

Kitty Fields from Summerland on December 26, 2010:

super interesting...love this story! totally possible!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on December 13, 2010:

Hi, PaperNotes, thanks so much I am glad you like it, thanks nell

PaperNotes on December 13, 2010:

Hmm, very very interesting. I always love your work Nell. Keep it up.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on November 12, 2010:

Hi, JamaGenee, thanks for coming back, wow, I would love to actually see a ghost, I did have a very strange experience a few years ago. I was sitting on my sofa in my living room, and my husband came running down the stairs saying, there's something up there! so I laughed and said, you just spooked yourself out! but at that moment, we both 'felt' something go past us, and the door into the kitchen banged shut! it wouldn't have been so bad if it was on the catch or something, but it was wide open, with the back of the door against the wall! we just looked at each other, and just freaked! ha ha spooky! thanks nell

Joanna McKenna from Central Oklahoma on November 11, 2010:

My first experience in an office with a computer was 1988, but thankfully by then we didn't have to change out parts every day, or carry it across the room! One Friday, however, several financial reports absolutely had to be done by Monday morning, so I hauled the monster home and back again!

The building that office was in was haunted, btw. Several of us had seen one Not Quite Departed on numerous occasions, but my boss didn't believe in ghosts until the afternoon she followed the woman into a service alcove (thinking she was lost) and watched her disappear into a wall. ;D

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on November 11, 2010:

Hi, JamaGenee, thanks for reading it, I agree, it is usually because of a traumatic event that this happens, I am not sure whether it is a rip in time, or just some sort of 'replay' on the atoms in the atmosphere, maybe we are just seeing a rerun of the event,and I totally understand what you mean about a device smaller than a pack of cigarettes! I started in an office in 1976 and we literally had the first computers for office work. we had to change a part of it a couple of times a day, and it was huge! we had to carry it across the room and put it in another part of the main frame! lol never again! thanks so much nell

Joanna McKenna from Central Oklahoma on November 11, 2010:

Considering the weather conditions that day and that it was the anniversary of a traumatic moment in French history, I have no doubt that Anne and Eleanor *didn't* make up this story, that they really did inadvertently step through a rip in the fabric of time.

In the U.S., it's not unusual for visitors to Civil War sites to have similar experiences. Who knows what future generations will discover about the energy left behind by those experiencing the most traumatic events in the their lives? Who would've guessed even 50 years ago that we'd be able to chat with people on the other side of the world on a device smaller than a pack of cigarettes?

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on November 04, 2010:

Hi, Freya, you are right! it would be much easier to believe it if it was the future that they went to! I never thought of that! thanks so much nell

Freya Cesare from Borneo Island, Indonesia on November 03, 2010:

Interesting story, Nell. Maybe people will more easy to believe on their story if they not jump to the past, but to the future instead, where they witnessing many kind of out technology today. But everything is possible in this life to happen, right? Thank you, dear.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 08, 2010:

Hi, Teresa, thanks for reading it, I would love to travel back in time, but as long as I knew I could get back! thanks so much nell

eventsyoudesign from Nashville, Tennessee on September 07, 2010:

Great read. My husband totally believes in time travel. I think it is possible, even though, I have no personal experiences. I find it all so interesting! Thanks for sharing! Teresa

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on August 26, 2010:

Hi, WestOcean, ha ha it certainly is! thanks for commenting, cheers nell

WestOcean from Great Britain on August 26, 2010:

Wormholes in the space/time continuum! Great hub.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on August 19, 2010:

Hi, Ivorwen, I quite agree, I see time and space as a flat surface and God looking down for example, over the whole thing at once. but I do like the idea of a bubble universe, with loads of alternate universes, maybe the same as this one or maybe at different time periods. I love quantum physics, so I follow as much of it as possible. I would love to see a timeslip myself, but it hasn't happened yet, but you never know! thanks again nell

Ivorwen from Hither and Yonder on August 18, 2010:

The details in their story is stunning. I feel blessed that they thought to write it down and research their experience.

I have always believed that God created time and exists outside of it. That although we live our lives by time, everything that ever was or ever will be exists at the same time, so the idea of a time slip does not seem improbable at all. I have been reading up on the many worlds theory, and it poses some interesting questions. The most stunning thing about it to me it how some quantum experiments seem to prove the theory. It would be nice if we could understand the explanation.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 16, 2010:

Hi, saddlerider, I think that if I had a choice I would go back in time! can you imagine being able to see history? wow, my first stop would be to see Jesus, just to take notes and make sure the bible got it written down right! ha ha and then pop over to see if Henry 8th really was as horrible as they say! thanks again nell

saddlerider1 on June 16, 2010:

What a great story, could they have actually traveled back in time? good question. I have no doubts about goings on in our Universe, the supernatural is an exciting adventure. Could you just imagine going back in time or to the future, outstanding thought. Brilliant idea. I much enjoyed your excellent composition. Bravo.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 16, 2010:

Hi, CMHypno, Yes you are right, the world is a mysterious place, and it is interesting to hear this sort of stories, because I think if it had been these days, then we could say that it was a reinactment or something, but back then it is not something that two ladies like that would have thought of. was it just their minds playing tricks? i hope not! lol thanks again nell

CMHypno from Other Side of the Sun on June 16, 2010:

So called reality is a strange thing - what is really real. Our world is a mysterious place, full of wonders and magic. I think these ladies did experience something - what the nature of the phenomenon was we will probably never really know, but the human mind alone is a vast, and largely uncharted, resource. Very interestin Hub, Nell.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 22, 2010:

Hi, heyju, thanks again. I love these stories, and I do hope they are really true, and not just psychological, that would be really disappointing! cheers nell

heyju on March 22, 2010:

Nell,

I always enjoy your stories so much, and this one did not disappoint. Thank you so much for the great read : )

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 10, 2010:

Hi, James, thanks for reading it. Glad you liked it. I love my mystery stories! can't get enough, in fact I am looking for my next one! thanks again Nell

James A Watkins from Chicago on March 10, 2010:

What a fascinating story this is. I surely enjoyed reading about this mysterious occurrence. Thank you for this pleasure.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 07, 2010:

Hi, real, really? was there a film? I would like to have seen it. thanks for that, and yes, if there is a DVD, keep me informed. thanks so much for the info. cheers nell

PS. Why not come and write for hubpages? then we can join forces for a bit of detective work!! thanks again

real on March 07, 2010:

Hi, Nell,

It seems there was a movie shown on TV quite a few years ago. The story went according the occurrence.

I'm trying to find if there is a DVD. Will keep you informed if you like it.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 06, 2010:

Hi, real, I am glad you found out the name of the song. it was driving me mad after you had said it! I really appreciate it. And thanks for liking my work. cheers nell

real on March 06, 2010:

Hi, Nell, I found out that the song is called Versailles.

The band is called White Soxx. The song is said to be about our two ladies, but only the first 8 lines are applicable.

So, a bit disappointing.

Keep up the good work.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 04, 2010:

Hi, real, no I didn't know there was a pop song about it. sorry i can't help, but if you find out, can you let me know? thanks again nell

real on March 04, 2010:

Hi, Nell, I know that a popsong was ever recorded about the occurrence. Kindly do you happen to know the title (artist) of this song.

All the best.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 02, 2010:

Hi, real, thanks for the comment. Yes that was strange. maybe sometimes when this happens, it causes some sort of halucination, or maybe it really did cause the two ladies to travel through time. thanks for sharing your experience. cheers nell

real on March 02, 2010:

A very interesting story indeed. About 30 years ago a friend and me were walking pass a river when a strange depressing feeling hit us both. Not at once, more like walking into a fog, gradually. It came to a point where it became very depressing indeed. The air was thick, silent and uneasy. Walking along saying a few words about the strange situation to each other, after appromimately 10 minutes the feeling and depressing ambient dissapeared in the same way it came.

We did not observe any time anomaly.

I was then already familiar with the experience of both ladies. For me the link was clear then.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 24, 2010:

Hi, Green Lotus, sorry I haven't been over lately, my Pc had a nervous breakdown, poor thing! Grrr...I am glad you liked it. I love strange stories and am already looking for the next! thanks again nell

Hi, Ghost, How are ya? great as usual I hope! thanks for liking it, and you are right, the world of God is amazing sometimes. cheers Nell X

JG the IGNITER from The U.S. Government protects Nazi War Criminals on February 23, 2010:

You know what my response is going to be about this hub already doncha Nell?

I LOVED IT!! he he he

Never heard of this, so this was a facinating read for me tonight. The truth of this supernatural world of God is stranger than fiction most of the time!!

Hillary from Atlanta, GA on February 23, 2010:

I just love reading cool stories like this. Thanks Nell for always coming up with something wild and wonderful.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 23, 2010:

Hi, Carolina muscle thanks for your comment, glad you liked it. cheers nell

Hi, Keira, thank you so much for reading it, and it is nice to hear from you. Thanks again nell

Hi, Audrey, ha ha they could write a book about you! It would be the funniest comedy ever!! thanks again nell

Hi, sheila thanks for the comment. cheers nell

Hi, Rose, yes I agree, I am not sure what really happened to the two ladies, but it was very strange. love to get to the bottom of it!! thanks again nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 23, 2010: