Ghostly Procession of Anne Boleyn
Deep within the Tower of London, a place steeped in history and tragedy, a bizarre and intriguing phenomenon has been observed. The church of St Peter ad Vincula, a tranquil oasis amidst the fortress's imposing walls, is said to be the site of a ghostly procession. In the late nineteenth century, an officer on patrol reported a surreal scene: numerous people in period costume, seemingly from the Tudor era, walking in a procession, led by a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Anne Boleyn, the ill-fated wife of Henry VIII. The apparition lasted only a few minutes before vanishing into thin air.
The story of this haunting begins with the darker aspects of the Tower's history. During the Tudor period, the church of St Peter ad Vincula was used for the burial of those executed on the grounds of the fortress. The remains, often buried hastily and without proper ceremony, were laid under the floor of the church. It wasn't until 1876, when Queen Victoria ordered the flagstones to be lifted and the bodies identified and reburied, that the full extent of the tragic history became clear. Over two hundred bodies were discovered, though identifying them proved nigh on impossible. The reported sighting of the ghostly procession shortly after this exhumation and reburial has led many to speculate about a connection between the two events.
The Tower of London's history dates back to the 11th century, with a long record of executions, notably of Anne Boleyn herself in 1536.
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Nearby Haunted Places
The Bear of Tower
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a chilling encounter took place in January 1816. A guard was stationed near the Jewel House, now known as Martin Tower, when he spotted a large bear approaching him. In a state of panic, the guard tried to defend himself with his bayonet, but it passed straight through the creature as if it were a ghost. The bear continued its relentless march towards the soldier, who collapsed from sheer terror and died a few days later. This bizarre incident has become a famous footnote in the Tower's long history of paranormal activity.
The Bubbling Column Haunting
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a bizarre and terrifying encounter took place in October 1817. Edmund Swifte, the Keeper of the Crown Jewels, was enjoying a family dinner in Martin Tower when a strange, glowing column materialised before their eyes. The column, which resembled a glass tube about the width of a man's arm, hovered in mid-air then drifted behind Swifte's wife, causing her to scream in fright. Swifte, trying to defend his family, swung a chair at the entity, but it passed through without impact, causing the column to vanish.
Figures
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a Scots Guard was once shaken to his core by a spine-tingling encounter. In 1968, he was found quaking in the Sally Port area, claiming that several ghostly figures had emerged from the Sally Gate and started to follow him. The Sally Port, a small postern gate, has long been a point of interest for paranormal enthusiasts, and this incident only adds to its eerie reputation.
The Headless Cloaked Figure
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a shocking encounter took place in the late 1960s or 1970. A sentry, stationed at Water Lane, was found in a state of panic, repeating the phrase 'Man in Cloak'. Once he regained his senses, the guard recounted a terrifying experience - he had been approached by a headless figure clad in a cloak. The sudden and unexplained appearance of this apparition caused the sentry to flee in search of help, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.
The Grey Lady of Tower
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a phantom grey lady is said to roam the Queen's House, making her presence known only to women. Her ghostly apparition is a mystery, as is the identity of a medieval man seen drifting along corridors in the upper part of the building. Footsteps echo down a rear staircase, and in 1978, a guest reported hearing faint plainchant late at night, though no one else seemed to have noticed.
Guy Fawkes' Tormented Screams
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a chilling phenomenon has been reported for years. In the room where Guy Fawkes was prepared for his execution, his anguished screams and cries have been heard echoing through the corridors. It's said that these blood-curdling sounds continued to reverberate long after Fawkes' fateful demise in 1606. The Tower, with its rich and often dark history, seems an apt location for such a haunting. Fawkes' involvement in the Gunpowder Plot, a failed attempt to blow up the English Parliament, led to his gruesome execution by hanging, drawing, and quartering.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Tower of London
Fox Connaught
Newham, London
The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel
Dartford, Kent
The Ostrich Inn
Colnbrook, Berkshire