The Ghosts of Henry VIII’s Queens

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.

A romanticised 17th century interpretation of Anne Boleyn

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.

Read about the ghost of Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr.

I have now written about the ghosts of all of Henry’s queens with the exception of Anne of Cleves. I have not been able to find any reported hauntings or alleged sightings of her apparition. I wonder if this is because her marriage to Henry lasted only a short time and her death was much less traumatic than Henry’s other queens.

Henry’s wives are not the only ones seen, Henry VIII himself is said to walk the corridors of Windsor Castle dragging his ulcerated leg and groaning in agony.

While his daughter, Elizabeth I, manifests in the Royal Library having allegedly been witnessed by members of the Royal family.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the truth of the matter is that each day, all over the world, people witness apparitions or experience the paranormal in some form. My sister, Karina Machado, has written a book called ‘Spirit Sisters‘ where she has collected Australian women’s stories of the paranormal. She was in contact with hundreds of women of all different ages and backgrounds who had a story, a true experience, to share.

Spirit Sisters is entertaining, heart-breaking, scary and inspiring all at once. It’s a fabulous read and not just for those interested in the paranormal.

If you know of any other Tudor ghost stories please let me know. For now, I will leave you with this quote:

“Besides this earth, and besides the race of men, there is an invisible world and a kingdom of spirits: that world is round us, for it is everywhere; and those spirits watch us…” Charlotte Bronte