Exactly what the title says it is.
This is adapted from Monsters and Villains of the Movies and Literature by Gerrie McCall, Dragons: Fearsome Monsters from Myth and Fiction by Gerrie McCall, and Mythical Monsters by Chris McNab.
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HEAD: Forever detached from the body where it once rested, the severed head is an ideal weapon for throwing at fleeing victims. BODY: The body of the ghost vanishes in a flash of fire or turns into a skeleton when it reaches the bridge over the brook. CLOTHING: The Headless Horseman is still clothed in the same black battle uniform and cape he wore on the day he died, more than 200 years ago. HORSE: Doomed to carry his headless master throughout eternity, the spectral horse springs over treetops with a clap of thunder.
The ghost of a soldier who was beheaded by a cannonball during the American Revolutionary War haunts the town of Sleepy Hollow. Every night, the spirit rides his black horse to the scene of the battle in search of his missing head. In the early hours of the morning, the drowsy townsfolk hear the horse galloping to return the soldier to his grave in the churchyard before dawn. Riding home one night, Ichabod Crane, the local schoolmaster, hears the sound of hooves behind him. Crane twists around in his saddle to see the horrible specter of the Headless Horseman.
Sitting silently on his horse, with his detached head resting on his saddle, is the dead soldier. Crane spurs his horse frantically to escape, but the Headless Horseman chases him. Crane hurries his horse toward the brook by the church, knowing that he will be safe once he crosses the bridge. After he crosses the bridge, Crane turns to look at the ghost. The Headless Horseman rises in his stirrups and throws his severed head at Crane. The head strikes Crane and knocks him from his horse.
DID YOU KNOW? Ichabod Crane disappears from Sleepy Hollow after his ride at midnight with the Headless Horseman. His cap is found near the church and his horse is found near his home, but the schoolmaster is never seen in town again.
The entire town of Sleepy Hollow is under an old spell that causes inhabitants to hear music and voices in the air, see strange sights, and fall into trances. The townsfolk are superstitious and can point out any number of haunted spots to the visitor.
Ghosts cannot cross over running water, which is why Ichabod Crane is safe from the Headless Horseman once he crosses the bridge over the brook.
All ghosts must return to their graves before dawn.
