The Tower Of London English Literature Essay

The Tower of London is known as one of London’s most haunted buildings. The tower was built to look over the Saxton and to be a strong building for defense (Wikiland). It was also used for prisoners of war (Wikiland). Many people believe that its haunted because there have been many deaths, and there have also been first hand experiences with ghosts. Some have also had scary encounters with something that wasn’t even there (Paranormal Haze). The Tower of London is one of most haunted places in London, there are many experiences, and there have been very many deaths there as well.

William the Conqueror built the Tower of London in the year 1708, it is known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress (Paranormal Haze). Certain parts of the tower date back to over 900 years ago (Real British Ghosts). The only reason certain parts date back so far is because the tower has gotten remodeled a few times. The tower has had many different uses, the kings and queens living there, and buildings being used for a prison, torture chambers, and place for execution (Real British Ghosts). Many people have lived in the tower, such as, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Catherine Howard. The tower has also been used to house animals, such as bears (Baird, C). There have also been many deaths/executions, such as Anne Boleyn. Anne was executed for one specific reason. Her husband King Henry VIII executed her for giving birth to a stillborn child and accused her of infidelity (Paranormal Haze). In 1483, Edward V and Richard the Duke of York were murdered (Paranormal Haze). In 1674, some workers found the remains of the princes in a chest (Paranormal Haze). Another death that occurred was The Countless of Salisbury. King Henry VIII executed the Countless due to a political reason (Paranormal Haze). But during her execution she refused to put her head down to get beheaded, and ran off (Paranormal Haze). Eventually she was found and axed to death (Paranormal Haze). King Henry VIII 5th wife, Catherine Howard, was sentenced to death for being adulterous (Paranormal Haze). Also, Sir Raleigh was imprisoned for 12 years, but upset King James VI and he was beheaded (Real British Ghosts).

Whenever some tourists, guards, workers, warriors, etc. are at the Tower, they tend to get funny feelings. One claim has smelled a certain scent and even thrown up (Paranormal Haze)! Some people have seen ghosts walking or gliding down hallways. Some have also seen apparitions standing and waving, and even screaming for help.

There are many claims of ghosts haunting the tower. One ghost Thomas Becket has been known to haunt the tower (Paranormal Haze). During reconstruction on the tower, it is said that he was shaking the walls and holding the cross making it crumble (Paranormal Haze). It is also said that Henry III had a chapel built and named after Thomas Becket (Paranormal Haze). Apparently, ever since the tower was built, it is said that Becker has stopped appearing and not been seen since (Paranormal Haze). A few years after Edward V and Richard of Duke were murdered, a few guards said that they saw two small figures “gliding down the stairs wearing night shirts and disappeared down the stairs” (Baird, C.). Some have claimed that they have also been seen holding hands (Real British Ghosts). The Tower of London’s most famous ghost, Anne Boleyn is said to haunt around the area where she was executed. Some people claim they have seen her walking around without her head (Paranormal Haze). People believe that she haunts because she wasn’t able to produce an heir (Paranormal Haze). “Anne is also spotted in the Chapel of Saint Peter ad Vincula where she watches over her own grave under the altar” (Your Ghost Story). “Catherine on the other hand can be heard screaming behind the door of the room she was kept in before her execution” (Your Ghost Story). After King VIII 5th wife, Catherine Howard was sentenced to death for being adulterous; many claim they have seen her running down the hallways and screaming for help (Paranormal Haze). Many believe she screams for help because she didn’t want to die, and she feels like she was reliving her death. The white tower, the oldest part of the tower, is where it is said the white lady lives. “The White Lady is apparently an apparition that will appear from time to time to those in the tower.” (paranormal haze). One story says that she was “standing at a window waving at a group of children who were in an opposite building.” (Paranormal Haze) There’s also “the smell of a cheap perfume that will hang around the entrance of St. John’s Chapel” (Paranormal Haze) the smell of the perfume has caused some to vomit (Paranormal Haze). In October of 1817, “a tubular, glowing apparition claimed to have been seen in the Jewel House by the Keeper of the Crown Jewels, Edmund Lenthal Swifte (Wikiland). He said that the apparition hovered over the shoulder of his wife, leading her to exclaim: “Oh, Christ! It has seized me!” (Wikiland). At one time, the tower housed animals. Apparently a guard saw a bear running towards him, but the bear went right through him and vanished (Paranormal Haze). Later on in the evening he was found on the floor unconscious (Paranormal Haze). Later on he died, many believe he died over “fright of what he saw.” (Paranormal haze). Another story comes from a Yeoman Warrior, who was in the salt tower, many people already feel scared enough in the salt tower (Paranormal Haze). The warrior reported, “being choked by something that was not there.” (Paranormal Haze). The Yeoman Warriors now refuse to enter the tower after sun down (Paranormal Haze). In the gallery where Henry VIII suit of armor is being displayed, some guards have said that there is “a sensation of being descended upon and crushed, which only fades as they leave the room.” (Paranormal Haze). One guard said, “having a cloak put over his head and being choked from behind.” (Paranormal Haze). But when the guard escaped, he found no one in the room (Paranormal Haze). “But, he had marks on his neck that show he had been the victim of an attack.” (Paranormal Haze).

The Tower of London is was built to look over the Saxton, and was built for the Kings and Queens to live in during their reign. But over time the tower started to be used for many different purposes, other than just for the King and Queen. The tower started to be used as a torture chamber, prison, and a place of execution. Its haunted because there have been so many deaths there, and some of the people that have died there are angry or in sorrow. The tower was built over 900 years ago, and the queens and kings that lived here, put many people in harm. Especially the kings, one king had almost every wife executed. Many people teen to feel nocuous, dizzy, and some even throw up when they are in certain parts. There are many ghosts that haunt the tower. Many of the king’s wives, such as Anne Boleyn haunt it. Anne haunts the tower because she was uneasy about her death, as were many others. The Tower of London is known as one of London’s top haunted places to visit. The tower has many spirits and ghosts that haunt there.

Sources:

Baird, C. (n.d.). The Amazing and Haunted Tower of London. The Amazing and Haunted Tower of London | Paranormal Haze. Retrieved from

http://www.paranormalhaze.com/the- amazing-and-haunted-tower-of-london/

Tower of London Ghosts. (2010). Tower of London Ghosts. Retrieved from

http://www.real-british-ghosts.com/tower-of-london-ghosts.htmlThe Tower of London. (n.d.). Tower of London. Retrieved from

http://www.wikiand.com/wiki/Tower_of_London

The Tower of London. (2012). – Your Ghost Stories. Retrieved from

http://www.yourghoststories.com/famous-ghost-stories/tower-london.php