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Thomas a'Becket's Ghostly Apparition

Tower of London, EC3, London Legend Medieval

Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a haunting legend has been unfolding for centuries. They say that Thomas a'Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, makes his presence known in Thomas's Tower. This foreboding structure was named after the ghostly apparition that was blamed for the tower's consecutive collapses on Saint George's Days in the 1240s. According to the legend, Henry III was so spooked by the sightings that he decided to appease the restless spirit by christening the tower in Becket's honour.

Historical records reveal that the construction of Thomas's Tower was indeed plagued by misfortune. On two consecutive Saint George's Days, the tower crumbled to the ground, sparking fears of a malevolent force at work. While the king's decision to name the tower after Becket may have been an attempt to calm the situation, it's interesting to note that ghostly activity has continued to be reported in the tower over the centuries. In more recent times, visitors have claimed to have seen and heard a ghostly monk wandering the tower's corridors, sparking debate about the connection between Becket's spirit and the later apparitions.

Historical Context

The Tower of London has a rich history dating back to the 11th century

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Historic Fortress
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
1240s
Postcode Area
EC3N

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