Ghosts of Arundel Castle

Perched high above the River Arun, Arundel Castle rises in timeless stone, built in 1067 by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel. As William the Conqueror swept into England in 1066, Roger remained in Normandy, quietly preserving order across the channel.

 

The original castle, typical of Norman design, was a wooden motte-and-bailey. Unlike most, Arundel has two baileys like Windsor Castle.

The castle's history is colorful. It endured a siege in 1102 by Henry I and played a role in the English Civil War. In 1643, it suffered damage and was besieged by parliamentarians for 18 days.

Since the 11th century, the Earls of Arundel and the Dukes of Norfolk have called the castle home. In the late 19th century, it welcomed Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, for a three-day visit.

Arundel Castle has long been associated with several resident ghosts and spirits, each with their own distinct tales that continue to haunt the castle's corridors.

One such story is that of the servant boy, often described as the castle's saddest and most frequently seen ghost. He has been seen in the kitchen, scrubbing pots and pans or scurrying about desperately to complete his duties. He is said to be the spirit of a young boy who worked there over 200 years ago, who was allegedly severely beaten by his abusive master for some mistake, which led to his death. Sometimes, the sound of kitchen noises can echo through the empty halls, only to find the kitchen empty.

Another specter, known as the "Blue Man," has been seen in the castle since the time of King Charles II. His spirit seems to favor the castle's library, where he stands quietly, reading and searching through books as though he is looking for a lost document, then vanishes after a minute or two.

Beyond the castle walls, the tales deepen. On moonlit nights, a pale, spectral woman in flowing white drifts near Hiorne's Tower, her footsteps silent on the dew-soaked grass. Sometimes, she is seen gliding up the spiral stairs before dissolving into the shadows. Legends murmur of a heartbroken soul, cast aside by her lover, who scaled the tower's heights and vanished into the night's embrace.

Adding to the castle's eerie lore, another white apparition sometimes appears, a white bird that flutters against the castle's windows. Traditionally, this apparition has been seen as a harbinger of death, appearing soon before the passing of a member of the Howard family, the Dukes of Norfolk.

Among the most prominent spirits is the first Earl of Arundel, Roger de Montgomery, builder of the castle. He is said to roam the castle and grounds, watch over his creation, and cause loud noises or accidents if he sees something he finds offensive or disruptive.

Ghostly encounters continue into recent history. In 1958, a new footman reported an unsettling sight: he saw the upper half of a male figure in a grey tunic with loose sleeves and long hair, standing in the fog on the drawbridge. As the footman approached, the figure faded and disappeared.

Finally, a tale less ominous. A small black dog has reportedly been seen in the library, particularly by children. It is thought to be the dog that belonged to Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London under Queen Elizabeth I.