The True Story Of Anne Boleyn’s Brutal Execution Has Led Many To Believe She Now Haunts The Tower Of London
The historic Tower of London is one of the city’s most frequented attractions by tourists and locals alike. But, it is also known as the eeriest and most haunted location in London.
The castle was built in 1097 by William the Conqueror in order to secure his role as King of England. But, over its near one-thousand-year history, the fortress has bared witness to various gruesome incidences of torture, murder, and execution.
So now, those who dare to visit the Tower of London claim that thirteen ghostly spirits continue to lurk amongst its grounds. And one of the spirits is believed to be Anne Boleyn– the Queen of England who was tragically beheaded.
Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn was born in 1507, and after spending some of her childhood in France, she returned to England in 1522. By that time, Anne was fifteen years old and began to draw numerous male admirers.
And even though she was hoping to marry Lord Henry Percy, that possibility was prevented by an order from King Henry VIII. Apparently, the King had already fallen in love with Anne himself.
But, since Henry was already married to Catherine of Aragon, he had to act fast. So, in 1527, he secretly tried to obtain an annulment from Catherine– with his ultimate goal being to have a male heir who could take the throne.
However, Pope Clement VII refused to grant the annulment for six years even though King Henry’s temptation for Anne was only growing.
In turn, Henry and Anne took it upon themselves to get secretly married in January 1533. They later announced their vows on Easter that year, and Henry and Catherine’s previous marriage was forced to be declared null and void.
rpbmedia – stock.adobe.com – pictured above is the Tower of London by the river Thames in London, England
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
Anne And Henry’s Marriage Falls Apart
After pushing for a marriage to Anne for so long, King Henry’s passion for his second wife sure did fade quickly. And it was likely due to Anne’s inability to provide her new husband with a son.
In September 1533. Anne welcomed their first child– a daughter who would go on to become the future Queen Elizabeth I. Shortly after, though, Henry lost interest in his wife and began sleeping with other women.
And amidst the adultery, Anne sadly had a miscarriage in 1534. Then, in January 1536, she tragically gave birth to a stillborn son. This enraged Henry and ultimately turned him against Anne– so much so that he even sought to take her life.
Anne’s Tragic Execution
By May of that year, Henry had accused Anne of cheating with various men and even of having relations with her own brother. Then, he had Anne committed prisoner to the Tower of London– where she awaited trial.
But, the seemingly political trial never gave Anne much hope. Instead, she was unanimously convicted of treason by the court and condemned to a brutal execution.
“Be burnt here within the Tower of London on the Green, or else to have thy head smitten off per the King’s pleasure,” read Anne’s sentence.
So, Anne awoke on May 19, 1536, and prepared for her execution day. Apparently, Henry felt “moved by pity” and did not want to have his wife burned at the stake. So, he declared that Anne would be beheaded.
Although, Henry’s choice was likely more selfish than he led on. The execution of a Queen was unheard of, and being burnt at the stake was a more common consequence for female traitors at the time.
Plus, the accusation that Anne had adultered Henry had already cast doubts among the public about his manhood and ability to please a woman. So, he did not want to condemn Anne to a drawn-out and “typical” means of execution that would only draw more negative attention to himself.
In turn, when it came time for Anne’s death sentence, she delivered a speech about the King’s gentle nature before kneeling down for her fate. Finally, an executioner used a sword to strike Anne’s head in one fell swoop.
Anne’s Legacy & Haunting Of The Tower Of London
It is now known that Anne’s only “crimes” were just a failure to deliver a male heir. Moreover, her refusal to tone down her headstrong personality.
Still, Anne’s execution proved that not even Queens were safe from the stereotypical gender expectations of the time. And her brutal death is said to have caused Anne’s spirit to continue to haunt the Tower of London to this day.
One particularly chilling story of a ghost of Anne sighting involves a Captain who noticed a light flickering in the Chapel Royal late one evening. However, the door to the chapel had been locked, and he decided to investigate the source.
So, the Captain climbed up on a ladder and peered inside. And what he claims to have seen was chilling.
Apparently, a procession of ladies and knights dressed in ancient costumes were pacing about the chapel. And their leader was the ghostly spirit of a headless Anne.
And another eery Anne sighting made waves throughout the London community in 1864. That year, a soldier on duty claimed to have spotted and confronted a white figure.
But, when the figure did not respond, the soldier thrust his bayonet at it. And to his surprise, the weapon never met flesh; instead, it plunged right through the woman.
Another officer even alleged to have seen the entire event take place– only solidifying the fear that Anne haunted the halls of the Tower of London.
Plus, other visitors have also claimed to witness reenactments of the horrifying execution right on the Tower’s green.
In turn, people around the world now believe the Tower of London to be cursed by Anne– where she forever haunts the grounds due to her unfair and brutal death.
If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe
The Terrifying True Tale Of The Real Annabelle Doll And What Her Reign Of Terror Looked Like
More About:Freaky
Read This Next
