On the banks of the River Avon in the English Midlands sits Warwick Castle. This medieval fortress towers over the landscape and inspires the imagination. As you walk through its halls, you’ll find yourself immersed in history and heritage. Many inhabitants have come and gone over the centuries, but perhaps the spirits of some can still be found within the castle walls.
Approaching the Castle
The Front Gate
The origins of the castle date back to 914 AD, when earthen ramparts were built by the Saxons to deter Danish invaders. In 1066, a wooden motte-and-bailey castle was constructed by order of William the Conqueror. In the 12th century, the castle was then rebuilt in stone. Of course, various alterations were made over time to suit the needs of the owners. For much of the castle’s history, it was the seat of the Earls of Warwick – including Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, whose influential role in the War of the Roses resulted in his epithet of “Kingmaker.” With such a long and rich history, it’s certainly not surprising that this castle has a number of ghost stories.
Display in the Great Hall
A Dining Display
One popular tale surrounding Warwick Castle concerns a former owner. Sir Fulke Greville, later to become Baron Brooke, was a poet and influential courtier. He was granted the neglected castle in 1604 and made extensive repairs. In 1628, at the age of 74, Sir Fulke was stabbed while in his London home. The culprit was his manservant, Ralph Heywood. It’s been alleged that Heywood had seen Sir Fulke’s will and was enraged that his inheritance was not larger. After stabbing Sir Fulke twice, Heywood retreated to his own chamber where he stabbed himself four times. While the murderous manservant died instantly, Sir Fulke lived on for an agonizing 27 days. After his death, Sir Fulke’s body was brought back to Warwick Castle before being interred at a local church. Today, it’s said that the ghost of Sir Fulke haunts Watergate Tower. Also called the Ghost Tower, this structure was the location of his study. Mysterious moans have been heard there and apparitions have been sighted. Some have claimed to see a ghostly figure peering from corners of the room, while others have witnessed a spirit emerge from the painting of Sir Fulke!
A Portrait of Sir Fulke
Various Portraits on Display
A former resident who had a keen interest in the spirit world was Anne Greville (1829-1903), 4th Countess of Warwick. Based on the writings of her son, it has long been known that the Countess had heard ghostly sounds in the castle, and participated in séances there. More information unexpectedly came to light in 2018, when it was reported that the transcripts of two séances were found among the Countess’ papers in the castle archives. It appears the documents were meant to be hidden, as they were placed in a wax-sealed envelope that was marked as having to do with décor. According to the transcripts, the spirit of a former servant named Edward Jameson came through. He said that he had once stolen something from the family and had hidden it in the castle. Other spirits were also mentioned, and the ghosts even discussed making noises. These séances, which likely occurred in the 1870s or 1880s, are fascinating examples of Victorian views on the supernatural.
The Chapel
Of course, there are many other ghost stories attached to Warwick Castle. There’s the Grey Lady that has been seen roaming the halls. There’s also the spirit of a legendary hero named Guy of Warwick, whose massive footsteps could be heard walking from one tower to another. Other stories tell of a ghostly black dog, whose presence at the castle is the result of a curse. Interestingly, some have observed that the ghost stories associated with the castle have changed over time. Tales that were popular in the past have been superseded by other stories, featuring other ghosts. This could be due to shifting tastes and expectations regarding the supernatural.
Sitting room with mannequins
Library with mannequins
These days, Warwick Castle is a popular tourist destination. (At the time of writing this blog post, the castle is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.) After paying your admission fee, you can explore various areas of the castle. Many of the rooms feature mannequins in period dress, giving you a sense of what life was like there. There’s historic artwork, arms, and armor on display. You can also enjoy sweeping views of the countryside. Warwick Castle offers various events and attractions, so visitors should check the official website to get a sense of everything that is available.
I very much enjoyed my time wandering through Warwick Castle. From the dignity of the great hall, to the solemnity of the chapel, there’s so much to take in. This castle is an amazing way to experience history, and maybe even the supernatural!
The Courtyard
View from the castle – note the trebuchet and jousting area
Location:
Warwick Castle
Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH, UK
Official Website: warwick-castle.com
References:
Bellamy, Jean. “Warwick Castle’s Ghost Tower.” TimeTravel-Britain.com. 2006. https://www.timetravel-britain.com/articles/castles/warwick.shtml.
“The borough of Warwick: The castle and castle estate in Warwick,” in A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 8, the City of Coventry and Borough of Warwick, ed. W B Stephens (London: Victoria County History, 1969), 452-475. British History Online, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/warks/vol8/pp452-475.
Busiakiewicz, Adam. “A Murder, and the Search for Fulke Greville’s Ghost.” Our Warwickshire. https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/murder-search-fulke-grevilles-ghost.
Busiakiewicz, Adam. “The Story of Fulke Greville’s Ghost.” Our Warwickshire. https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/story-fulke-grevilles-ghost.
Busiakiewicz, Adam. “A Warwick Castle Secret, and a Conversation With Ghosts.” Our Warwickshire. https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/warwick-castle-secret-conversation-ghosts.
“History of Warwick Castle.” Warwick Castle. https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/castle/history/.
“Inside Warwick Castle: Stories from the Kingmaker’s Fortress.” Evan Evans Tours. https://evanevanstours.com/blog/inside-warwick-castle-stories-from-the-kingmakers-fortress/.
Jones, Richard. The Ghost Tower of Warwick Castle. Great Castles. https://great-castles.com/warwickghost.php.
“Victorian ghost transcript found in Warwick Castle archive.” Heritage & Culture Warwickshire. October 15, 2018. http://heritage.warwickshire.gov.uk/victorian-ghost-transcript-found-in-warwick-castle-archive/.
Wayland, MJ. “Warwick Castle Ghosts – A Re-evaluation.” MJ Wayland Ghost Historian. March 11, 2015. https://mjwayland.com/warwick-castle-ghosts/.
Written by A. P. Sylvia
