Guide to Castles of Europe: March 2005

Guide to Castles of Europe

Visit some of Europe’s most picturesque, mysterious and notorious castles. Unravel the history, legends, and myths behind some of their celebrated and not so renowned castles in a voyage Adventure and Discovery…!

Thursday, March 31, 2005

The Ghosts of The Tower of London Pt1

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 many of her most famous occupants.

Firing your imagination, so that you can delve deeper into her history for yourselves and read about the stories and tales that make the Tower of London what she is today.

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, 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.

The Bloody Tower was the scene of the infamous disappearance of the two princes; Edward V (12) and Richard Duke of York (10), who are thought to have been murdered in 1483 on the probable command of the Duke of Gloucestershire, who was to be crowned Richard the III.

According to one story, guards in the late 15th century, who were passing the Bloody Tower, spotted the shadows of two small figures gliding down the stairs still wearing the white night shirts they had on the night they disappeared.

They stood silently, hand in hand, before fading back into the stones of the Bloody Tower.

These figures were identified as the ghosts of the two princes. In 1674 workmen found a chest that contained the skeletons of two young children, they were thought to be the remains of the princess, and were given a royal burial not long afterwards.

The story of the little princes is still to this day a heartbreaking story. They are "among the most poignant ghosts" in the Tower of London.

The most persistent ghost in The Tower of London is the ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn.

The King, Henry VIII, after learning the baby she carried for nine months was a boy and still born, accused by her of infidelity.

She was taken to TOWER GREEN and was beheaded on May 19, 1536.

Queen Anne appears near the Queen’s House, close to the site where her execution was carried out. She can be seen leading a ghostly procession of Lords and Ladies down the aisle of the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.

She floats down the aisle to her final resting place. Queen Anne is buried under the Chapel’s altar. Her headless body has also been seen walking the corridors of the Tower.


Sir Walter Raleigh lived quite comfortable compared to others who were imprisoned within the walls of the Bloody Tower.

His "rooms" are still furnished as they were in the 16th century, and can be seen when visiting the Tower today.

He was executed by James I, and has been seen looking exactly as he does in his portrait hanging in the Bloody Tower.

I hope you have enjoyed Pt1 to The Ghosts of The Tower of London. In Pt2 we discover what happend to Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey as well as the Horrific end to the Countess of Salisbury.


If these tales have brought your imagination back to life and you want to discover more ghostly and gruesome stories of times past. Then pay a visit to my Haunted Castles page where you can find out about the grisly goings on at Windsor Castle or read about the Heroic tale of the Two Brothers of Berry Pomeroy Castle in Devon.


Best wishes and have a great day!

Saturday, March 26, 2005

New Section and Castles added

Hi to everyone and Hope you are all having a lovely Easter.

It has been a busy week here at Guide to Castles of Europe.

I have added a new section called Welsh Castles and you can read about the histories of Cardiff Castle and Gwydir Castle.

Our European Castles section has a new addition as well. Kyrenia Castle, which is located in Northern Cyprus.

I hope you enjoy reading about our new inclusions and if you have any comments or want your favorite castle to be listed, then please feel free to contact us by filling out this form and sending it to us.

Enjoy!!

Friday, March 18, 2005

The Evolution of the British Castle – A Short History

I have just had my first article published and below is a brief summary of what it is about.


Since Greek and Roman times, man has strived to establish some type of a fortification for protection and shelter. Over the pursuing centuries these evolved into a form of military and residential places known as castles. The evolution of the British castle went from wooden palisades used by William the Conquer, to the great stone structures created during the 13th to 15th century. Their demise was brought about by the advent of gunpowder and the technological advancements of the canons and weaponry in use during that era. The defensive capabilities of these great castles were severely diminished, causing them to become obsolete.

You can read the full article at http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Evolution-of-the-British-Castle---A-Short-History&id=20671

Enjoy your read

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Thursday, March 17, 2005

Guide to Castles of Europe - Our First Entry

Hi and welcome to all you castle enthusiasts..

This is my first entry of what I hope will become a regular update on what is happening on my website.

A little bit about my site .....

Guide to Castles of Europe was born from a childhood fascination of King Arthur and the knights of Camelot and from boyhood dreams of being the knight in shining amour and it is my hope to educate and stimulate you into exploring these castles for yourselves.

You will discover and read about some of Europe's most picturesque, mysterious and notorious castles.

You will be able to unravel the history, legends, and myths behind some of their celebrated and not so renowned castles in a voyage Adventure and Discovery!

We have a monthly newsletter that features:


Our Castle of the month - A short History
Medieval recipe's to Try if you Dare..!
Readers Questions and Answers
Travel Tips

and much more


So I Invite You to come along and have a browse at Guide to Castles of Europe and join in on our Voyage of Adventure and Discovery.


Thanks for dropping by and I look forward to seeing you again soon!