Anne Boleyn- an immortal Queen
It is my opinion that hidden in the fabric of ancient walls and floors remains an imprint of its previous inhabitants and events that echoed in that space. The more emotionally charged the event, the clearer an imprint that resonates and a greater likelihood of the event being ‘played back’ for some among us to sense or see.
It is for this reason that I think the ghost of Anne Boleyn has been seen and sensed in several locations around the UK. She had an enormous impact in life and instigated great change. The palaces, homes, chapels and parks where she once walked and talked at times reveal their secrets to those sensitive enough to receive them. When standing in a space once shared by Anne Boleyn, it is only time that separates us. This is a thought that fascinates me. If only we could peel back the layers of time we would be there- side by side with a great Queen- a great woman.
I think that at times buildings and spaces, for reasons not yet understood, reveal the imprint of an event recorded long ago. And those who hear the whispers and see the recording have essentially looked into the past.
I believe that Anne’s soul is at peace and not wandering the grounds where she once lived. But I do think that her life was emotionally charged, her convictions unwavering, her impact on England unsurpassed by any other of Henry’s wives and her death traumatic. For these reasons, her ‘ghost’ or, in my opinion, her imprint has been seen and heard. Anne Boleyn- an indelible Queen.
The Stories
Tower of London
Anne Boleyn’s ghost has been seen on numerous occasions at the Tower of London. It is said her ghost haunts the place of her death, beheaded on Tower Green on the 19th May 1536.
Perhaps the most spectacular ghost story relating to Anne is that of a Captain of the guard who saw a light flickering in the locked Chapel Royal late one night. He tried to uncover the source of the light by climbing up a ladder and was met with an unbelievable scene unfolding inside. A procession of Knights and Ladies dressed in ancient costumes pacing the chapel. Their leader, an elegant female whose face he could not see but whose figure resembled that of Anne Boleyn’s in portraits he had seen. The procession later disappears.
Anne is also said to walk from the Queen’s House to the Chapel of Saint Peter ad Vincula, where she walks down the aisle to her grave under the altar.
In 1864, a soldier, on duty near the Lieutenant’s lodgings, made another sighting of Anne’s ghost. He claimed to have confronted and challenged a white figure and when his challenge met no response he plunged his bayonet into the figure. To his complete shock, the weapon did not meet flesh instead went straight through the woman. According to the traditional story, an officer lodged in the Bloody Tower saw the whole event take place from his window.
Hever Castle
Anne’s ghost is said to appear each Christmas at Hever Castle, her childhood home. She is said to manifest beneath a great oak tree where Anne and Henry courted. Her ghost also walks across the bridge, which crosses over the River Eden on the castle grounds.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world.
Anne Boleyn has been seen standing at the window in the Dean’s Cloister at Windsor Castle.
Another Windsor ghost story claims that Anne Boleyn has been seen running down a corridor screaming (sometimes clutching her head).
Hampton Court
Anne’s ghost has been seen at Hampton Court wearing a blue or black dress. Some accounts claim she is headless during these manifestations.
Rochford Hall
Rochford Hall in Essex is a manor house said to be where King Henry VIII first cast his eyes on a young Anne Boleyn. The Boleyns owned the home from 1515, a home claimed to be the setting of secret meetings between King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. There are even rumours of a secret tunnel system beneath the home that King Henry VIII used as his discreet escape route from the house.
According to a previous owner, there are stories of sightings of a headless lady and feelings of extreme cold in one of the rooms. Is this the ghost of Anne Boleyn?
Blickling Hall
Perhaps the story that I find most difficult to believe, is that of Anne Boleyn’s headless spectre arriving at Blickling Hall in Norfolk, clutching her severed head, in a phantom carriage, drawn by a headless coachman and four headless horses. On arrival the carriage and horses disappear leaving Anne to roam the corridors and grounds until sunrise. This manifestation is said to occur each year on the anniversary of her execution- May 19th.
Conclusion
I have not included these stories because I believe them all to be true instead because most have been circulating for a long time and tell us something about how Anne is perceived in popular culture. I leave it up to you to form your own opinion about their validity.
I personally think that such a dignified woman in life would not then in death roam the grounds of these ancient structures as a headless spectre. Also, as I mentioned in my introduction, I believe that Anne is at peace and that any sighting of her is of an imprint left in the environment long ago rather than of her restless ghost.
If you would like to share any other stories please contact us.
I have to admit that reading this sent a shiver down my spine. After going to the Tower of London I have my own Anne Boleyn story so I can believe that people may have seen her imprint – I know I have.
Sarah, please tell! I have a section of the site where you can submit your own stories. Please share it with us.
I wonder if you have seen this footage. Security camera, and no forgery involved. It relates to a series of unexplainable sounds over a couple of nights, I think, experienced by the security staff at Hampton Court Palace. On one of the evenings, this was captured on CCTV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWuFtqZ1wNk
Yes, I remember watching the footage when it first happened. It really fascinates me! I think had it just been the footage on its own then perhaps it wouldn’t have been so interesting but the fact that the footage was captured after days of hearing unexplainable sounds and the door apparently opening of its own accord on several occasions is what makes this truly amazing!
Sarah,
Yes, please do share your story. It is one of my greatest wishes to visit the Tower and have an experience of my own so I would love to hear about yours.
Becky Bunsic
Natalie, why do you feel she is at peace ?
Kate
Hmm, this is a tricky question Kate. I guess part of it is my intuition and part is that, although she was murdered in a very violent way, she was prepared for her death and even welcomed it. Naturally, she was frightened as any human would be but at the same time she was composed and so dignified. I just feel that the manner in which she approached her unjust death, with such calm and always radiating regality, tells me that she knew something better awaited her and found comfort in that.
Hi Natalie,
I also think Anne is at peace. I certainly hope so, anyway. There is a man called Eddie Burk who is a sort of medium. He says that he sees “dead” people as clearly and solidly as when they were living. He isn’t particularly into or knowledgeable about history so isn’t familiar with people and their histories. He was called to Coutts Bank to assist with an apparition that had been frightening staff (unintentionally, I am sure!) This turned out to be Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, executed in 1572 for his part in the “Ridolfi Plot”. Eddie also “met” the spirit of Catherine Howard, and according to him she made a lot of excuses for her behaviour (i.e. her adultery) but he didn’t believe her account. He says he has communicated with the spirit of Anne Boleyn and stated that she seemed to have no resentment or anger over what happened to her. I found him quite convincing.
Thank you for sharing Liz! Really fascinating
Thanks a lot Natalie.I hope she is too.
I too think Anne is at peace with her lot. In a sad way her death released her from the stressful life she was living. The twists and turns of court policies, the unpredictable behaviour of Henry, and the pressure to give birth to a son. But I like to think she gets most of her peacefulness from the knowledge that her daughter Elizabeth became a greater monarch than Henry ever did or aspired to be. You could forgive Anne if she even felt a ‘little’ smug….
OKAY NOW ANNE BOLEYN I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON HER. I HAVE BEEN VERY INTERESTED ABOUT KING HENRY VIII. THIS HISTORY IS VERY GOOD TO ME. IT KEEPS ME UP ON MY TOES. ANNE MAYBE IS WALKING AROUND WHERE SHE LOVED AND LIVED AT. SHE’S AT PEACE I KNOW THAT MUCH. BUT SHE ALSO LOVED HER DAUGHTER AND HENRY VIII DESPITE EVERYTHING.
I visited The Tower on 2 occasions, both in May over 20 years ago while I was living in London. On the first occasion we strolled in & I was suddenly overwhelmed by the energy of the spot I was in & almost passed out, luckily a friend was with me who could look after my little daughter while I sat & recovered. I had no idea what the unassuming little lawn next to me was, until my friend found the little plaque they had there back then; it was Tower Green. I wish I knew what date I was there. I could not bring myself to go into the Chapel, though I must say I regret that now. There were lots of places closed off to the public that felt very “interesting” I did wonder if they are closed off not because they are offices & residences, but because they are psychically “active”. We managed to have a chat to one of the guards on his own & he told us some interesting little ghost stories, sadly as it was so long ago I don’t remember any details
I have been fascinated by all these stories; despite being slightly sceptical towards the idea of ghosts and the paranormal, I love ghost stories and thing that there are many incidents which we cannot fully explain yet, for whatever reason.
I am beginning to wonder if I had my own Anne Boleyn ghost experience last night – I will send it to you and you can judge for yourselves!