Ellen was a friend of Charlotte Brontë. In 1895 the pair visited North Lees Hall, where they were hosted by Lord Marlborough. Ellen soon fell victim to the psychic manipulation of an Aranox that was hiding the hall's attic, and was drained of energy. Before she could be completely taken over, Clara Oswald gave Ellen a brooch that would block the psychic attacks. (COMIC: Unearthly Things)