Ghostly stereotype

[infirmary]

Can the stereotypical 'white sheet ghost' with clanking chains be traced back to a single source? I'm doing research for a documentary on ghosts and wondered if anyone could enlighten me about this stereotype?

[swedeheart]

Pliny the Younger wrote about a ghost in chains - but even he seems to have heard the story somewhere...

http://eternallycool....d-rome-ghost-stories/

[heathfield]

The white sheet is probably associated with a dead person being wrapped in a sheet or shroud. This has been the practice from time immemorial

[Lil O'lady]

I wonder if Victorian theatricals had any influence on the popular perception of this?