Paranormal Path

     What ingredients do you need to make the perfect haunted location?  How about a building that’s over 900 years old, was used as a prison, torture chamber, and held public executions, this gives us the Tower of London.

     Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, the Tower of London’s main function was to be a palace.  Several expansions were made in the 12^th and 13^th century.  There are now 20 towers and different buildings from different periods in history.  Many held prison cells.  The White Tower held torture chambers, Tower Green held Royal executions, and Tower Hill held public executions, just to name a few.  So it was inevitable that a place like this would conjure up some spirits.

     One of the most famous ghosts is that of Queen Ann Boleyn.  She was married to King Henry the VIII.  On May 19^th 1536 Ann was arrested for high treason and sent to Tower Green where she was beheaded.  There are reports of her headless body roaming the grounds, carrying her head under her arm; she has also been seen in the chapel, leading a procession of people in ancient dress.

     There is also the tragic story of the “two princes’”.  Edward the V was 12 years old and his brother Richard Duke of York was only 10 when they were sent to the Bloody Tower after being declared illegitimate by Parliament.  The children soon vanished and it was assumed they were murdered by the command of their uncle Duke of Glouceste in 1483.  Later in the early 15^th century the apparitions of 2 children were seen frequently gliding down the stairs holding hands or holding onto each other in terror.  In 1674, workman found a chest that contained 2 small skeletons.  They were believed to be the 2 princes and were given a royal burial.

     The execution of Margaret Pole Countess of Salisbury has been seen replaying itself over and over again.  She refused to place her head on the chopping block like a “commoner” and ran.  She was chased by the executioner with his axe and eventually met her demise after several blows from behind.

     The room where King Henry the VIII suit of armor is exhibited is said to contain a “crushing” feeling.  A guard reported feeling a cloak thrown over him and when he attempted to free himself, the cloth was pulled tightly by an invisible attacker.

     The White tower is one of the oldest parts of the building and is believed to contain the ghost of the White Lady.  She has been seen waving to people at the building on the opposite side and her perfume hangs heavy in the air at the entrance to the chapel.

     The screams of Guy Fawkes can be heard echoing throughout the tower just as real as they were when he was tortured before being hung, drawn and quartered.  There is also the Grey Lady who is seen roaming the grounds, wearing mourning attire and only a black void where her face should be.