The Tower of London has stood
for over 900 years. It is considered the most haunted spot in Britain.
The tower’s history includes beheadings, murders, torture, and hangings. It has served as a prison for several nobles.
The tower’s history includes beheadings, murders, torture, and hangings. It has served as a prison for several nobles.
The first ghost to be spotted
at the tower was that of Thomas A. Beckett. While an inner curtain wall was
being constructed it is said Beckett appeared to show his disfavor.
Legend states he reduced this wall to rubble with one single stroke from his cross. In order to appease Beckett’s ghost, Henry II named a chapel after the archbishop. This worked for the construction proceeded without another incident.
Legend states he reduced this wall to rubble with one single stroke from his cross. In order to appease Beckett’s ghost, Henry II named a chapel after the archbishop. This worked for the construction proceeded without another incident.
Two of the most tragic ghosts
seen at the tower are of the two young princes, Edward V age 12 and Richard
Duke of York age 10.
These two were murdered in 1843. No one knows for sure who ordered their murder but some feel it was the Duke of Gloucestershire who was crowned Richard the III after their deaths.
In the late 15th century two guards saw these two princes in the Bloody Tower. * They still wore the white nightshirts that they were last seen in. They were observed gliding down the stairs and then standing hand in hand. They then just faded back into the stones of the Bloody Tower.
In 1674 the skeletal remains of these two young men were discovered in a chest—they were then given a proper burial.
These two were murdered in 1843. No one knows for sure who ordered their murder but some feel it was the Duke of Gloucestershire who was crowned Richard the III after their deaths.
In the late 15th century two guards saw these two princes in the Bloody Tower. * They still wore the white nightshirts that they were last seen in. They were observed gliding down the stairs and then standing hand in hand. They then just faded back into the stones of the Bloody Tower.
In 1674 the skeletal remains of these two young men were discovered in a chest—they were then given a proper burial.
The most active ghost at the
tower is Henry VIII's second wife Queen Anne Boleyn.
After she gave birth to a stillborn son, Henry accused Boleyn of infidelity. She was taken to the Tower Green and beheaded on May 19, 1536.
Anne’s ghost appears by the Queen’s House near where she was executed. She has been seen leading a procession of Lords and Ladies down the aisle at the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. She is spotted floating down to where she was buried under the chapel’s altar. Her headless body has also been seen walking through the tower’s corridors.
After she gave birth to a stillborn son, Henry accused Boleyn of infidelity. She was taken to the Tower Green and beheaded on May 19, 1536.
Anne’s ghost appears by the Queen’s House near where she was executed. She has been seen leading a procession of Lords and Ladies down the aisle at the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. She is spotted floating down to where she was buried under the chapel’s altar. Her headless body has also been seen walking through the tower’s corridors.
Sir Walter Raleigh was also
imprisoned and executed at the tower by order of James I. While imprisoned in
the tower he occupied two comfortable rooms, which can be seen on a tour of the
tower today.
People who have witnessed his ghost state he looks just like his portrait that hangs in the tower.
People who have witnessed his ghost state he looks just like his portrait that hangs in the tower.
Henry VIII had the Countess
of Salisbury imprisoned in the tower for treason. The story of her execution is
by far the most grisly.
It is said the countess who was high-spirited refused to place her head upon the chopping block and instead ran. Her executioner pursued her with his ax. He hacked her to death as she ran.
Her ghost has been seen reliving this gruesome experience. An ax has also been seen falling at the scene where she died.
It is said the countess who was high-spirited refused to place her head upon the chopping block and instead ran. Her executioner pursued her with his ax. He hacked her to death as she ran.
Her ghost has been seen reliving this gruesome experience. An ax has also been seen falling at the scene where she died.
At one time a menagerie of
royal animals was kept at the tower. This collection of animals included: bears,
lions, leopards, birds, monkeys, and an elephant.
At midnight in January of 1815, a sentry saw a bear emerge from a doorway. He lunged at it with his bayonet, which passed right through the apparition. This sentry was found dead- it was said he died of fright.
At midnight in January of 1815, a sentry saw a bear emerge from a doorway. He lunged at it with his bayonet, which passed right through the apparition. This sentry was found dead- it was said he died of fright.
The oldest part of the tower
is called the Salt Tower. It is said to be the most haunted area of the entire
tower complex.
It seems dogs will not enter this ancient building. After one Yeoman Warden** was struck by an unseen force—guards for years afterward would not enter this area after dark.
It seems dogs will not enter this ancient building. After one Yeoman Warden** was struck by an unseen force—guards for years afterward would not enter this area after dark.
In 1864 a soldier whose post
was to guard the Queen’s House saw an apparition so real he charged the
intruder with his bayonet only to see his blade go right through the figure.
He was found unconscious and tried for neglect of duty. Two witnesses came forward to corroborate his story so he was acquitted.
He was found unconscious and tried for neglect of duty. Two witnesses came forward to corroborate his story so he was acquitted.
Another ghost that is seen at
the Tower of London is Lady Jane Grey but I will leave this story for another
post…
* The Bloody Tower was
originally called the Garden Tower and was a royal home.
** Yeoman Wardens today are
former soldiers who give tours of the Tower of London, they are known as
Beefeaters, they live at the tower. Below is a video of one of these tours—warning these
tours are very funny but they are not politically correct.
2 comments:
I recently had a look at a picture I had taken. Is it a ghost? What do you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPMYcPok_nY
The figure in the window doesn’t look 3 dimensional to me. I would say it is pareidolia, which is our brains trying to make sense of random patterns. It looks like a head but when you look closer the proportions are off. Any portrait artist would point this out. Off course this is just my opinion. Check out my post on Matrixing it explains this phenomenon.
http://seeksghosts.blogspot.com/2011/05/matrixing.html
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