The Ghosts of Carlisle Castle, England

Is Carlisle Castle one of Britain’s most haunted places? Some visitors will say that the house is truly haunted, with many tourists having witnessed paranormal activity themselves. In this article, we’ll look into some of the ghost stories and bloody history of Carlisle Castle.

History

Carlisle Castle has dominated Carlisle City for about 900 years, and during this time, has been remodeled and reworked to the fortress we see today. The brooding sight of this Castle reflects its eventful and long history.

Initially, the site was used as a Roman fortress, but still plays a considerable role as Cumbria’s most infamous landmarks.

The unsightly keep (the main tower of the medieval Castle) was started by King Henry I of England during the 12th Century and finished by Scottish King David I. This section is the oldest noticeable part of the Castle and the reminder of how the Castle’s ownership was disputed between the English and the Scottish, fueled by its central border location.

One famous aspect of Carlisle Castle is the fantastic and strange carvings on this keep’s floor. Inside the keep are displays of the Castle’s history, from Elizabeth Border Reivers exploits and medieval attacks to Jacobite’s rising and the civil war siege.

One famous aspect of Carlisle Castle is the fantastic and strange carvings on this keep’s floor. Inside the keep are displays of the Castle’s history, from Elizabeth Border Reivers exploits and medieval attacks to Jacobite’s rising and the civil war siege.

In 1745, the Castle suffered a siege from Cumberland’s Hanoverian army. But later, the Cumberland forces recaptured the Castle, then later jailed and executed the Jacobites, making it the last English fortress ever attacked.Due to the fear of the radical revolution, the Castle was made a permanent garrison.

It acted as the headquarters for the Border Regiment up until 1959. Today, the army reserve, including medics, logisticians, engineers, etc. still use some sections of the Castle.

Ghosts of Carlisle Castle

There are weird happenings throughout the Castle’s long and eventful history. Some things that transpired are fated to leave a mark- the petrifying bit! There are numerous, aged stories, some which can be deemed true, some with some truth elements, and basically, others that have manifested throughout the Castle’s life. Read on to find out more about the ghost stories of the Carlisle Castle.

The spectre of two middle-aged soldiers on the keep’s top floor show themselves at times.

Another story is King Stephen’s apparition that leans on the upper keep’s wall near the City’s model on the Castle. If you look at the front side of this model, King Stephen’s front is visible, and so is the rear side if you walk around the model.

The Old caretaker’s spirit manifests in the keep. A portrait of him can be seen during this lifetime resting at the Queen Mary’s table, next to the old bell. The apparition will present itself according to what you want to see. It can either be a shadowy black figure witnessed by many or a different half-moon battery shadow.

A yeoman of an unknown era strides up and down the Castle’s pathway, running from the cell block to the old regimental headquarters. As the caretaker at one time was moving around the house, he came across a soldier in the Ypres block stairs. Only after he had told the soldier which path to follow did he realize he was not in the correct uniform for that time.

The sentry told another one of the famous ghost stories of the Carlisle Castle. This incident followed the uncovering of skeletal remains, which are believed to be of a Scottish lady. During his night duties, the sentry was approached by an unusual woman dressed in white. The sentry reacted by raising the bayonet and striking the lady, only to watch her disappear. Fear overcame him, and he collapsed, only to recount the story later that night after his fellow guards revived him. Unfortunately, he passed on that same night, maybe due to the frightening encounter.

One time, the Army sergeant major of the Territory noticed the light of the top-floor classroom was left on. A corporal dashed straight to the room only to find it in total darkness. The corporal opens the window to shout to his Sergeant that the light was off, but the Sergeant still insists it’s not.

Inside Cumbria’s Military Museum situated within the castle grounds, several strange things have happened. The story about an alarm set off for three consecutive nights stopped once the faulty sensor was replaced. Also, some footsteps are heard, especially when the space is empty. Some even claim that a playful ghost tends to push or pull you on the staircase without hostility, just mere laughter.

In conclusion, there are multiple stories about Carlisle Castle that make it an exciting place to visit. Besides, its breath-taking to catch a glimpse of the previous age with such a historic site.