Now I’m not typically one for ghost stories but this historic site is reputed to be home to many a spirit. The Tower of London, once a royal palace, has a history chock full of intrigue, betrayal, and even zoo animals (yes, really). For nearly a millennium the Tower has served as a prison and a place of execution with its final dispatch occurring during the Second World War when I believe a spy met his maker.
I’ve delved into the legends of the Tower and found the five most famous ghosts that are said to haunt this historic landmark.
A Bit of Background
The Tower of London is much like that ancient leather armchair in your grandmother’s living room. It’s been around for ages and witnessed incredible events. The tower might even still conceal a few hidden relics. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this fortress has stood guard over the Thames for nearly a thousand years.
William, being the bonkers bloke that he was, decided that London needed a grand stone edifice to cement its importance. Over the centuries, the Tower has worn many hats a royal residence, a prison, an execution ground and now, it stands as one of the world’s most famous (or infamous) ghostly attractions.
The Guest List from Beyond
The Tower of London has had a guest list that would make even the swankiest London clubs green with envy. It’s like a “Who’s Who” of historical figures only they’re all very dead. Let’s meet some of our spectral celebrities.
Anne Boleyn: The Headless Wonder
First, we have Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. Henry was a fickle king and Poor Anne fell out of favour faster than a soggy bottom on “The Great British Bake Off.” Her crime? Failing to produce a male heir.
In 1536, Anne had an unfortunate encounter with an executioner’s blade. Since then, she’s been spotted wandering the Tower grounds, often near the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. Witnesses describe a sense of deep sorrow accompanying her presence. Well, naturally. If you’d been wrongfully executed and forced to spend eternity where you met your end, you’d be a bit miffed too.
Some say Anne carries her head under her arm. Must make opening doors a right pain, that. I wonder if she ever uses it as a bowling ball when the Tower gets a bit dull. “Strike!” Ahem, perhaps that was in poor taste. Quickly, moving on.
Lady Jane Grey: The Nine Days Wonder
Next on our ghostly roster is Lady Jane Grey, also known as the “Nine Days Queen”. Poor Jane had a reign shorter than a British summer (sigh) 😔. She was crowned in 1553, only to be deposed by Mary I nine days later.
Jane’s ghost is said to appear as a young woman in a white gown, wandering the corridors with an expression that’s a mix of fear and resignation. It’s the same look I have when I realize I’ve run out of tea bags.
One can’t help but wonder if Jane ever bumps into Anne Boleyn during their nightly haunts. Do they have a ghostly support group? “Hi, I’m Jane, and I was wrongfully executed. ” “Hi Jane!” It’s like Alcoholics Anonymous, but for the unjustly beheaded.
The Princes in the Tower: Tiny Terrors
Now, here’s a mystery that would give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money. Edward V and his younger brother Richard of Shrewsbury, known as the Princes in the Tower, were imprisoned here in 1483 by their uncle, Richard III. These two young lads were never seen again. Their fate became one of history’s great unsolved mysteries, right up there with “Who built Stonehenge?” and “Why does James May’s hair look like that?”
Was it murder most foul? Did they escape? Did they discover time travel and pop off to the future for a cheeky Nando’s? We may never know. But their ghostly figures are often spotted playing in the Tower’s gardens and wandering the corridors. Visitors report hearing children’s laughter and footsteps, only to find no one there.
One has to wonder though, if these ghostly princes have been around for over 500 years have they aged? Or do ghosts get stuck in perpetual childhood like Claudia in Interview with the Vampire, doomed to an eternity of spectral acne and voice cracks? It’s enough to make one ponder the logistics of ghostly puberty. Ummm, on second thought, let’s not.
Thomas More: The Bookish Banshee
Sir Thomas More, the renowned scholar and former Lord Chancellor joins our paranormal party next. More was executed in 1535 after refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII’s divorce and the establishment of the Church of England. Honestly, Henry VIII features so prominently in these ghost stories you’d think he was running some sort of “Executed by Royal Decree” loyalty scheme.
Thomas More’s ghost is often described as a dignified figure in period attire appearing contemplative and serene. Some say his apparition is accompanied by a spectral light suggesting his enduring intellect. Or maybe he’s just trying to read in the dark, those Tudor-era candles were rubbish, after all.
Imagine being able to read after you’ve died. That doesn’t sound so bad. I might be able to catch up with my backlog at last. Honestly, I’ve got quite the stack to get through.
The White Lady: The Ghostly Fashionista
Last but not least, we have the White Lady, one of the Tower’s most enigmatic spirits. Clad in white, her identity and origin remain a mystery. Some believe she was a lady-in-waiting, while others think she might have been a past resident who met a tragic end.
The White Lady is often seen near the Tower’s historic buildings and gardens, bringing with her a sense of coldness and foreboding. She is frequently accompanied by a noticeable chill. Whether this is due to her ghostly nature or the typical British weather is uncertain. However, the experience has been noted by many visitors over the years.
Living with the Dead: The Tower Today
Now, you might think that with all these ghostly goings-on, the Tower of London would be a right nightmare to manage. But no! We have turned it into a top-notch tourist attraction. Nothing says “family day out” quite like a fortress with a history of torture and execution, right? It’s like Alton Towers but with more beheadings and fewer rollercoasters. (Or is it? I’ll have to see if Alton has any ghosties. 🤔)
The Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters give tours of the Tower, regaling visitors with tales of its gruesome past. Brave folk. Can you imagine having to go to work every day knowing you might bump into a headless queen or a pair of princely poltergeists by the water cooler? “Morning, Anne. Still no luck with the head, then?”
And let’s not forget the Tower’s most famous residents – the ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens ever leave the Tower the kingdom will fall. No pressure then, birds. These corvids strut around the place like they own. The ravens are so important that they even have their own Ravenmaster.
A Haunting Conclusion
So, the Tower of London. Where history and mystery shake hands and go for a pint. It’s a place where the past isn’t just remembered, it’s actively trying to scare the bejeebus out of you. It’s like a history lesson, a ghost story and an episode of “Most Haunted” all rolled into one.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not there’s no denying that the Tower can send a shiver down your spine. Once you know what’s happened there you can’t help imagining being watched. Brrrr… 👻
Next time you’re in London and fancy a brush with the supernatural pop down to the Tower. Who knows, you might just spot Anne Boleyn trying to find her head or bump into Thomas More having a spirited debate with a suit of armour. Just remember, if you hear children laughing or feel an unexplained chill it’s probably not your imagination.
Brrrrr…. 😱