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Anne Boleyn's Ghost
Henry VIII's second wife was beheaded here in 1536. Now she walks the Tower, sometimes carrying her severed head under her arm. Guards have challenged her at bayonet point—their bayonets passed through her.
1536 - Present
Tower of London, England
500+ witnesses
Anne Boleyn is the Tower of London’s most famous ghost.
The History
According to historical records:
Anne Boleyn:
- Second wife of Henry VIII
- Mother of Elizabeth I
- Accused of treason and adultery
- Beheaded May 19, 1536
- At the Tower of London
The Haunting
She has been seen:
- In the Chapel Royal
- On Tower Green
- Walking White Tower corridors
- Near execution site
- Throughout the Tower
Her Appearance
Witnesses describe:
- Woman in grey or black
- Tudor-period dress
- Sometimes headless
- Carrying head under arm
- Sorrowful expression
Famous Sightings
Notable encounters:
- 1864 Captain of the Guard
- Challenged her at bayonet point
- Bayonet passed through her
- He fainted
- Court-martialed, acquitted
The Chapel
In Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula:
- Where she is buried
- Seen leading ghostly procession
- Of headless lords and ladies
- Other executed nobles
- Mass burial site
The 1864 Incident
The famous encounter:
- Guard saw white figure
- Approaching the chapel
- He challenged three times
- Then charged with bayonet
- It passed through her
Modern Sightings
Still reported:
- By staff and visitors
- Cold spots
- Figure sightings
- Unexplained sounds
- Continues to this day