The Tower of London, this impressive historic building, is not only known for its crown jewels or medieval architecture. It is also home to mysterious tales, stories of ghosts and tortured souls that continue to haunt its thick walls. Accompanied by a guardian, Phil Wilson, I invite you to dive into this intriguing world of ghostly narratives and echoes of the past.
The walls bearing witness to the past #
At every step within the Tower of London, the contact with its grey walls takes us centuries back in time. The bricks feel cold and damp under my fingers, and each rough surface seems to tell the story of the prisoners who once gazed upon this bleak landscape. Many eyes have been fixed on these bricks, aware that the only escape was often death.
The many lost souls
Phil Wilson, one of the guards of the Tower, confides in me that this fortress has held many prisoners, many of whom did not survive. “It’s one of the most haunted places in England,” he declares with a glimmer of fascination in his eyes. Ghost stories abound, and tales of those who have faced tragic fates linger in the shadows of the ancient walls.
À lire Discover the smallest river in France at the heart of one of Normandy’s gems
The life of a guardian at the heart of history #
Wilson lives here with his wife Ann, in the Beauchamp Tower, where their apartment is accessible by a narrow staircase. Although these historically rich rooms are strangely arranged, the couple has managed to embellish them, and the scent of tea mingles with the dust of ages past. “Living in a place with such a rich history is fascinating,” he says while making tea. These reassuring moments of daily life contrast with the dark past of the place.
The tales of execution
Looking out the window, Wilson shows me a place known for executions. The palpable anxiety runs through me at the thought of the horrific scenes that took place here. The stories of Anne Boleyn, the Countess of Salisbury, and the young Lady Jane Grey linger in the air, their ghosts reliving the final moments of their lives in the shadow of the guillotine. While some of these noble figures are now freed from their sufferings, their spirits still wander these grounds, marking the thousand-year-old walls with their presence.
A community at the heart of the Tower #
Wilson explains that despite the grim history of the Tower, life here is pleasant. “It’s like a small village,” he says while talking about the 35 families of guards who reside there. The camaraderie contrasts beautifully with the tales of death and anguish that speak of the past. The laughter of children and the lively discussions between neighbors add a warm atmosphere to this otherwise somber place.
Ghosts beyond life
As night falls, Wilson tells me chilling stories. The headless silhouette of Anne Boleyn is said to sometimes appear, wandering through the corridors of the chapel. It is said that she still sees her body resting in peace, while the memories of her beheading or the whispers of her final moments echo within the walls. “People say they have seen her shadow, but to be honest, no one here has ever been harmed by a ghost,” Wilson assures with humor, although one can read a hint of concern in his eyes.
À lire the United States issues a travel warning for Pakistan following a drone attack in India
Stories that endure #
Ghostly figures of young children, such as young Edward V and his brother Richard, also appear in the echoes of the corridors. The two children, lost in this labyrinth of family intrigues, wander hand in hand, looking forever lost. The storytellers of history surround the place, captivating visitors eager to catch a glimpse of these tragic apparitions.
Evidence of another world
Recently, an American tourist photographed the Traitor’s Gate and discovered, after developing her film, a gloved hand in the corner of her picture, with no one around at the time of capture. Evidence of another world thus invites itself into our reality, making each visit to the Tower even more fascinating, wrapped in an indefinable mystery.
The stories of the Tower of London continue to resonate and surprise, testifying to a past filled with dramas and poignant tales. Each visit holds the promise of a thrill, an unexpected encounter with the souls that haunt this place rich with memory.
