British and Irish Castles

Over the coming week, I hope to lead you on a journey of discovery and adventure. Briefly taking a glimpse into a past so horrid. Of haunting tales and ghastly ends that awaited so many of her most famous occupants. Firing your imagination, so that you will delve deeper into her history for yourselves.

During her long and illustrious 900 years, The Tower of London has developed into one of the most haunted places in Britain. She has been home to beheadings and murders, torture and hangings, as well as being a prison to Queens and Nobles alike.

Thomas A. Becket is \”the first reported sighting of a ghost at the Tower of London.\”

During the construction on the Inner Curtain Wall in the 13th century, Thomas appeared apparently unhappy about the construction, and it is said he reduced the wall to rubble with a strike of his cross. Henry III�s grandfather was responsible for the death of Thomas Becket, so Henry III wasted no time building a chapel in the Tower of London, naming it for the archbishop.

This must have pleased Thomas� ghost because there were no further interruptions during the construction of the wall.

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Windsor Castle is one of the many homes of the present Queen of England, several of her royal ancestors, and “non-royal” spirits, one of whom, according to legend was an ancient Saxon hunter named Herne, who was renowned thought out the area for his outstanding hunting abilities.

One story tells of Herne, as one of the Royal keepers for King Richard II (1367-1400), who was hated by the other keepers for his extraordinary skills. One day the King was in danger of being trampled by an incensed stag while hunting and how Herne putting himself between the King and the stag was mortally wounded.

In the last 250 years, hundreds of people have claimed to have seen his spirit, often accompanied by his pack of hounds. In the early 1860’s the tree from which he was found hanging, was cut down, and Queen Victoria kept the oak logs for her fire “To help kill the ghost”. Her plan didn’t work however.

Other legends tell of witchcraft and suicide, and a demonic horned being upon whose appearance brings illness and misfortune to all who see him, especially the Royal family. He can be seen in Windsor castle’s gardens with “his trademark stag’s head.” King Henry VIII has been seen walking the hallways of Windsor Castle. His footsteps, along with agonizing moans, have been heard by many guests of the castle.

One of his wives, Anne Boleyn, has been seen standing at the window in the Dean’s Cloister, as well as, Queen Elizabeth I. Queen Elizabeth I has also been seen in the Royal Library. She has been seen walking from one room to another. She is always dressed in a black gown with a black lace shawl draped over her shoulders.

King Charles I has been seen many times in the library and the Canon’s house, and although he was beheaded during the English Revolution, his ghost is seen as a whole. It is said he looks exactly like his portraits.

King George III had many bouts with mental deterioration. During these times he was kept out of the public’s eye. He can be seen looking out the windows located below the Royal Library where he was confined during the recurrence of his illness.

The first Duke of Buckingham, Sir George Villiers, is said to haunt one of the bedrooms of Windsor castle. And many spirits haunt the Long Walk, one of whom is a young solider who shot himself after, while on his guard watch, saw marble statues moving “of their own accord.” His ghost has seen by other soldiers on guard duty afterwards.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and I look forward to your company again in the not to distant future.

Best wishes and have a great day

Stuart Bazga
www.guide-to-castles-of-europe.com

A Guide to Castles of Europe was born from childhood dreams and aspirations. It is my hope to educate and stimulate you into exploring these castles for yourselves.

You may copy or redistribute this article in its entirety including all links.

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With it’s spectacular location, atop a rocky cliff, jutting out into the Firth of Forth, Tantallon Castle is one of Scotland and Britain’s most spectacular castles. The castle is built of local red sandstone which makes an already impressive building all the more striking.

Even more spectacular is the view from the castle itself with the ominous basalt plug of the Bass Rock immediately opposite and the Isle of May just the other side of the Firth of Forth. Tantallon is quite simply an astonishing castle.

With a history dating back to 1358, Tantallon castle has seen it’s fair share of history, from the Douglasses through to Cromwell. Beseiged on a number of occasions, the most notable seiges being in 1491, 1528 and when Oliver Cromwell besieged the castle in 1651. Cromwell undertook a twelve day siege which although it resulted in the defeat of the castles defenders, it was notable that they were granted mercy on account of their bravery.

Nowadays, Tantallon occupies a less bloody, if no less windswept place in the hearts of Scottish Castle enthusiasts. Having been allowed to deteriorate under successive owners from the 18^th century, Sir Hew Clifford Hamilton-Dalrymple handed over the castle to the Scottish nation in the early 20^th century and it is now in the care of Historic Scotland where it treated with the dignity and respect it deserves.

Visitors will find the castle just east of North Berwick, near the small town of Whitekirk. The castle really is a spectacular place to visit for an ideal Sunday afternoon out with the family and it’s close proximity to Edinburgh means that if one is feeling particularly ‘Castle-ish’ then you could combine the trip with a visit to the equally spectacular Edinburgh Castle and nearby Dirleton Castle as well.

Tantallon Castle is one of East Lothians true gems. The spectacular view from the battlements is worth the entrance fee alone. Superb.

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