Haunted Reputation Rank: 1 of 5
Listing Name: Tower of London
Category: Castle, Fortress, Prison, Execution Site
Difficulty Level: Extremely Haunted Reputation
Country: England
City: London
Address: Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom
Map Search: Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB

Short Description

Nearly one thousand years of royal power, imprisonment, betrayal, torture, execution, and burial have made the Tower of London one of the world’s most famous reportedly haunted locations. Its legends include executed queens, former prisoners, royal figures, and unexplained apparitions reported throughout the fortress.

History

William the Conqueror began constructing the Tower of London during the 1070s as a fortress intended to defend London and demonstrate Norman authority. Over the centuries, the complex served as a royal palace, military stronghold, prison, execution site, treasury, armory, royal mint, menagerie, and home of the Crown Jewels.

Hundreds of political prisoners, nobles, religious figures, alleged traitors, and royal rivals were confined within its walls. Among its most famous prisoners were Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes, and the future Queen Elizabeth I. Anne Boleyn was executed on Tower Green in 1536 and buried in the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. The chapel also contains the remains of Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey.