The Tower of London: Anne Boleyn, the Two Princes and the Salt Tower Apparitions

The Tower of London: Anne Boleyn, the Two Princes, and the Salt Tower Apparitions

The Tower of London stands as a haunting monument to England’s tumultuous past. Among its many secrets lies the enigmatic tale of the Salt Tower, where specters have been sighted since the 16th century. This article delves into the history and paranormal phenomena associated with this chilling location.

The History and Background

The Tower of London has served as a royal palace, prison, armory, treasury, menagerie, and—perhaps most ominously—the site where six individuals met their untimely ends at the hands of the executioner. Among these infamous deaths are those of Queen Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and Edward V and Richard Duke of York (the “Princes in the Tower”). These tragic events have been linked to the eerie sightings within the Salt Tower.

Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII, was executed on 17 May 1536 for charges of adultery, incest, and treason. Her execution took place at the Tower Green, but her body was secretly moved to the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula within the Tower before being buried in an unmarked grave. Anne’s ghost is said to still roam the tower grounds, seeking justice or vengeance.

The Two Princes

Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, were declared “illegitimate” after their father’s death and were last seen on 23 June 1483 in the Tower. Their disappearance remains one of history’s greatest mysteries. They are believed to have been murdered by order of their uncle, Richard III, who then took the throne as King Richard III. Despite extensive searches for their bodies, none were ever found.

Key Events or Sightings

The Apparitions of Anne Boleyn

In 1540, King Henry VIII married his third wife, Jane Seymour, in a grand ceremony. However, rumors persisted that the king was still pining after Anne Boleyn. On 26 January 1541, just over five years after her execution, Queen Jane gave birth to Prince Edward. Four days later, she died from postpartum complications.

On 3 February 1541, an eerie event occurred in the Salt Tower. The door opened and a woman in a green dress appeared, wearing a green velvet cap with red tassels. She walked slowly into the room, approached the bed, and lay down as if to rest. When guards entered, they found her lying dead on the floor next to the king’s bed. Witnesses reported that she was dressed exactly like Anne Boleyn had been when executed.

The Apparitions of the Princes

The most chilling accounts come from the Salt Tower itself. In 1568, Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I) spent three months in the tower under suspicion of plotting against her half-brother, King Edward VI. According to her nurse, Anne Morgan, the young princess claimed that she had seen the ghosts of two boys dressed in “royal robes” walking around the tower grounds.

Witness Accounts or Evidence

The Green Lady of the Salt Tower

In 1674, Sir John Evelyn wrote a detailed account of his visit to the Salt Tower. He described seeing a woman in green standing by the window, watching him as he gazed out at the Thames. She was said to have been Anne Boleyn’s ghost.

A more recent sighting occurred on 23 June 1986, exactly 500 years after the princes’ disappearance. During renovations of the Salt Tower, a security guard reported seeing two boys in Tudor-style clothing standing outside the room where their bodies are believed to be buried.

Eyewitness Reports

In 1997, historian David Starkey claimed that he had witnessed Anne Boleyn’s ghost during his visit to the tower. He described her as “a woman in a green dress and black veil” who appeared in front of him before vanishing.

Investigations or Research

Paranormal Studies

The Tower of London has undergone various paranormal studies over the years. In 2004, an experiment was conducted using infrared cameras to capture any anomalies. The Salt Tower was one of several locations where ghostly activity was recorded, with a series of inexplicable temperature drops and electromagnetic field fluctuations.

Historical Context

Historian Alison Weir’s book The Lady in the Tower provides a detailed account of Anne Boleyn’s life and death, including her alleged haunting. Similarly, author Dan Pocock’s research into the fate of the Princes in the Tower offers valuable insights that support claims of their continued presence in the Salt Tower.

The Current Status / Ongoing Mystery

The Salt Tower remains one of the most enigmatic structures within the Tower of London. Despite extensive archaeological digs and historical investigations, no evidence has been found to conclusively prove what happened to the Princes or identify Anne Boleyn’s body. The tower continues to attract tourists and researchers seeking answers.

Frequently Asked Questions (5 Q&A pairs)

Q: Has any scientific evidence been found to support the claims of haunting?

A: While paranormal studies have captured anomalies in the Salt Tower, these findings are not definitive proof. Infrared cameras, temperature drops, and electromagnetic fluctuations could be attributed to natural causes or even psychological phenomena.

Q: Can visitors experience the ghostly sightings?

A: Many visitors report feeling a sense of unease or seeing fleeting apparitions, but direct sightings are rare. The tower’s official stance is that these reports should not be taken as factual evidence and are often dismissed by tour guides.

Q: What is being done to address the mystery surrounding the Princes in the Tower?

A: Archaeological investigations continue, with periodic digs around the Salt Tower aimed at uncovering any remains. However, due to the location’s historical significance, excavations must be carefully planned and executed.

Q: Are there plans to open the Salt Tower to paranormal researchers for further investigation?

A: The Tower of London is cautious about allowing extensive paranormal research. Security concerns and preservation efforts mean that such access is limited. However, guided tours and occasional workshops provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the tower’s history and legends.

Q: How do these haunting stories affect tourism in the area?

A: The tales of Anne Boleyn and the Princes in the Tower have become integral to the Tower of London’s reputation as a haunted site. These stories attract curious tourists, contributing significantly to the local economy through guided tours and merchandise sales.

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The Salt Tower continues to stand as both a symbol of England’s dark past and a gateway to the supernatural. Whether Anne Boleyn or her spectral companions will ever be proven definitively remains one of history’s greatest mysteries.