The History of Medieval Castle
Medieval castles, whether in ruins or restored, dominate the varied landscapes of Europe. Stone fortifications were nothing new to the continent, but during the Middle Ages, there was an explosion of castle construction as feudal lords sought to consolidate their power and provide fortresses for the inhabitants of their kingdoms. Some were described to be little more than dirty, cold stone boxes, but others evolved to become impressive reminders of years past.
Warkworth Castle
Country: England
Built: 12th century
Warkworth Castle was built in the 12th century as a fortification against the marauding Scots. In the 14th century it passed into the hands of the powerful Percy family of Northumberland. It stands in an imposing position atop a precipitous hill.
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Country: England
Built: 12th century
Warkworth Castle was built in the 12th century as a fortification against the marauding Scots. In the 14th century it passed into the hands of the powerful Percy family of Northumberland. It stands in an imposing position atop a precipitous hill.
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Arundel Castle
Country: England
Built: 11th century
Arundel Castle is one of the most impressive castles of Great Britain. Its construction was begun during the reign of Edward the Confessor and was completed by Roger de Montgomery who actually became the first to hold the title Earl of Arundel conferred upon him by William the Conqueror. After this time, apart from a few occasions when it has reverted to the Crown, Arundel Castle has been a hereditary stately home to several notable families and is currently the principal seat of the Duke of Norfolk and his family.
In the 17th century the castle was badly damaged by fire but it has now been restored to its former glory.
There are various ghosts said to be haunting Arundel Castle and these include:
The ghost of a young woman dressed in white who on moonlit nights has apparently been seen wandering around Hiornes tower - a tower located behind the castle in Arundel Park. It was designed in the 18th century by the noted architect Francis Hiorne. It is generally thought that the young woman committed suicide, throwing herself off the tower due to the loss of her true love. She tends to appear on moonlit nights much to the discomfiture of the groundskeepers.
Country: England
Built: 11th century
Arundel Castle is one of the most impressive castles of Great Britain. Its construction was begun during the reign of Edward the Confessor and was completed by Roger de Montgomery who actually became the first to hold the title Earl of Arundel conferred upon him by William the Conqueror. After this time, apart from a few occasions when it has reverted to the Crown, Arundel Castle has been a hereditary stately home to several notable families and is currently the principal seat of the Duke of Norfolk and his family.
In the 17th century the castle was badly damaged by fire but it has now been restored to its former glory.
There are various ghosts said to be haunting Arundel Castle and these include:
The ghost of a young woman dressed in white who on moonlit nights has apparently been seen wandering around Hiornes tower - a tower located behind the castle in Arundel Park. It was designed in the 18th century by the noted architect Francis Hiorne. It is generally thought that the young woman committed suicide, throwing herself off the tower due to the loss of her true love. She tends to appear on moonlit nights much to the discomfiture of the groundskeepers.
Haunted Castles
Edinburgh Castle
Country: Scotland
Built: 12th century
Haunting: Do you believe in ghosts? Edinburgh is one of those places where skeptics cross the threshold and start saying yes.
There have been so many hauntings for so long that Edinburgh Castle attracted one of the most thorough paranormal investigations ever. In 2001, an English doctor enlisted roughly 240 volunteers to spend 10 days in and around the castle. The volunteers were all screened to insure that none of them knew anything about the castle. The findings? The place is a paranormal hot spot. Many of the volunteer experiences were consistent with past sightings at the castle. There were burning sensations, phantom gropes, shadowy figures and a specter in a leather apron seen in the same spot he was seen by unrelated individuals before the study. Its ancient dungeons and cobbled corridors are home to some serious creepiness.
Country: Scotland
Built: 12th century
Haunting: Do you believe in ghosts? Edinburgh is one of those places where skeptics cross the threshold and start saying yes.
There have been so many hauntings for so long that Edinburgh Castle attracted one of the most thorough paranormal investigations ever. In 2001, an English doctor enlisted roughly 240 volunteers to spend 10 days in and around the castle. The volunteers were all screened to insure that none of them knew anything about the castle. The findings? The place is a paranormal hot spot. Many of the volunteer experiences were consistent with past sightings at the castle. There were burning sensations, phantom gropes, shadowy figures and a specter in a leather apron seen in the same spot he was seen by unrelated individuals before the study. Its ancient dungeons and cobbled corridors are home to some serious creepiness.
Houska Castle
Country: Czech Republic
Built: 13th century
Haunting: Located in the forests north of Prague, Houska castle was never a strategic battle location. It also appears to have no function of outside fortification. It was not built to repel attacks or to keep things out. It was built to hold something in. It was built to close the gateway to hell.
Country: Czech Republic
Built: 13th century
Haunting: Located in the forests north of Prague, Houska castle was never a strategic battle location. It also appears to have no function of outside fortification. It was not built to repel attacks or to keep things out. It was built to hold something in. It was built to close the gateway to hell.
Eltz Castle
Country: Germany
Built: 1157
Haunting: A picturesque castle with one of the richest interiors in all of Deutschland, Eltz rises up out of the surrounding Mosel forest as if boasting its longevity to the surrounding environs. A testament to its strength as a stronghold, Eltz Castle is one of few castles in the region that has never been destroyed. It is also one of just a few German castles that is said to be haunted. Allegedly, the ghosts of medieval knights still patrol the castle, which, 33 generations later, is still owned by the same original family. Imagine living in the same house as your Great X 30 grandmother.
Country: Germany
Built: 1157
Haunting: A picturesque castle with one of the richest interiors in all of Deutschland, Eltz rises up out of the surrounding Mosel forest as if boasting its longevity to the surrounding environs. A testament to its strength as a stronghold, Eltz Castle is one of few castles in the region that has never been destroyed. It is also one of just a few German castles that is said to be haunted. Allegedly, the ghosts of medieval knights still patrol the castle, which, 33 generations later, is still owned by the same original family. Imagine living in the same house as your Great X 30 grandmother.
Chillingham Castle
Country: England
Built: 12th century
Haunting: The appropriately named Chillingham Castle is located in the northern corner of England and has been haunting guests for a very long time. The castle served as a fortress to repel attacks from the Scots in the north and has thus seen a great deal of bloodshed. Chillingham has been featured on at least six ghost-related shows, and the webs are rife with strange pictures of its ghosts and orby videos.
Country: England
Built: 12th century
Haunting: The appropriately named Chillingham Castle is located in the northern corner of England and has been haunting guests for a very long time. The castle served as a fortress to repel attacks from the Scots in the north and has thus seen a great deal of bloodshed. Chillingham has been featured on at least six ghost-related shows, and the webs are rife with strange pictures of its ghosts and orby videos.