WHO or WHAT is Death in a Chocolate Box?

Inspired by true crime stories from the Victorian era and through the lives of ordinary people whose tales are woven into the rich fabric of an ancient city’s social history – Death in a Chocolate Box offers walking tours through the streets of York.

Meticulously researched and innovative – our tours are designed to offer an informative and unique walk with an experienced storyteller.

You can also discover a selection of thoughtful gifts in our on-line store, including our unique ‘Yorky Grit’ AND there is some rather attractive and sustainable gift wrap available too!

Are YOU Ready to Tuck In?

WALK with us through the snickelways and secret passageways of York awhile or WANDER into the macabre and twilight world of the Lady Brigante…

SIGN UP for The Brigante Chronicles to grab the scoop about the exciting discoveries.

BROWSE the shelves of our emporium for the deliciously unusual or BECOME a fellow taphophile on our forum – Beneath Thy Feet.

WELCOME to Death in a Chocolate Box!

Panel 1

Lady Brigante Presents…

“The History of York is the History of England.”

King George VI

With the coming of dusk and the door of an atelier closed for the day – it is possible to catch a glimpse of a celebrated miniaturist and storyteller clad in her distinctive black feline boots wandering through the snickelways and secret passages of York in a quest to wake the dead.

And for those of a curious and hardy temperament – why not come along and listen to the Lady Brigante as she shares with you the tales of the illustrious, the miscreants, artists, misfits and those ordinary folk who have ALL been lost to history – until now!

However, for those of a sensitive nature who are averse to real stories of tears, heartache and tragedy – a meander through the fascinating streets of York with Lady B may NOT be to your taste.

Walk with us awhile…

WEDNESDAY from 7pm ‘A Wander Along Walmgate’ at YO1 9TJ 

THURSDAY from 7pm ‘A Meander To Monkgate’ at YO1 8BN 

FRIDAY from 7pm ‘A Footslog To Fulford’ at YO10 4EX 

SUNDAY from 9am ‘A March On Micklegate’ at YO24 1AJ

To the Church of St Andrew York
To St William's College with the Lady Brigante
To the Merchant Adventurer's Hall in York
The Blue Bridge of York
The Clock of Coney Street York
Gazing at a Grave in St Saviour's Parish Church in York
Tombstones and Sunshine
Gazing Up at St Saviour's Parish Church in York
John Snow Memorial North Street Gardens York
To the Parish Church of St Mary Bishophill
to The box office?
Any Questions?

 

Panel 3

‘Twixt Night & Morn!

The Lady Brigante loves nothing more than shocking unsuspecting folk with the tale that she was abandoned at birth by gypsies and raised en famille with kindly mice in the crypt of an old church.

Alas! The truth is altogether more unremarkable.

For although blessed with an illustrious and extensive lineage – Lady B was in truth raised in genteel affluence in the shadow of the ceremonial stone gatehouse of Micklegate in the ancient City of York.

A dreamer from birth with a taste for history and the irresistible urge to create…

My Lady Brigante!

Panel 4

Ordinary People. Extraordinary Deaths.

Having returned to British shores only the previous month – on a chilly January morning in 1889 a soldier with the 10th Hussars was found hanging from a pole in the stable block of the York Cavalry Barracks.

On the day following Private Dalby’s death the city coroner opened the inquest at the military hospital and as a succession of witnesses stepped forward to offer testimony – the tragic story unfolds…

A Footslog To Fulford

A Soldier in Shadow

Private William Dalby

The ONLY clear picture history accords Ms Mary Wilson is that of her death by poisoning one morning in May.

A scroll though our parish records and census returns have only added to the mystery of WHO Mary was, WHERE she came from and HOW she had managed to live independently well into her sixth decade!

A Footslog To Fulford

Mary in Shadow

Mary Wilson