The Woman in Black is often associated with death and tragedy. According to local legend, whenever she appears, someone in the town dies shortly after. Many believe that she is a harbinger of doom, sent to warn the living of impending death.

The psychological impact of the Woman in Black on the people of Rye cannot be overstated. Many have reported feeling a sense of unease and fear when in the presence of the ghostly figure, and some have even claimed to have experienced strange and terrifying occurrences after encountering her.

The origins of the legend date back to the 17th century, when a young woman named Jennet Humfrye, a servant at a local mansion, died under mysterious circumstances. According to the story, Jennet was wrongly accused of theft and subsequently died in prison. Before her death, she uttered a curse, vowing to return and seek revenge on the people of Rye.

Since then, numerous reports have surfaced of a ghostly figure, dressed in black, seen wandering the streets of Rye, particularly around the old churchyard and the local railway station. Described as a tall, gaunt woman with a pale face and long, black hair, she is said to be dressed in a long, black cloak, which billows behind her like a dark cloud.