Location: Whittington Castle

Place: Whittington, Shropshire

Date: 24 Apr 2010

Time: 21:00 - 04:00

It is thought that there has been a settlement at the point on which the castle sits for over 3000 years.  Early castles had been built due to its defensive position due to being surrounded by treacherous and energy sapping marshlands.  Welsh raiders would often attack English territories and it was thought that this would be an ideal place to build earthworks and a wooden castle.

As building technology advanced, a Norman motte and bailey castle was built by William Peverel (c1050-1115), a Knight thought to have fought at the Battle of Hastings.  It had been claimed that he was actually the illegitimate son of William the Conqueror as he had received over 100 holdings after the Norman Conquest. William had no male heir so his eldest daughter Mellet inherited the castle.  Mellet married into the Fitzwarines family after her hand in marriage was won in a tournament, the family keeping the castle until around 1420.

During the civil war it was loyal to the Royalists until Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads took it by force in 1643. At the time of Queen Mary II ownership of the castle was granted to Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel. Later it was sold to Francis William Albany Esq., a London merchant whose Manor and Estate was Fernhill. When his granddaughter Sarah married Thomas Lloyd Esq of Aston the two estates were united.

So to the present time, when the joint owners Mrs A Hamilton-Hill and the Lady Newborough are of the Lloyd lineage. Today, after acquiring a 99 year lease, the castle is managed by the Whittington Preservation Trust.

There are a number of myths and legends connected with Whittington and the Castle. The most obvious is that of "Dick Whittington".  There are similarities between Dick Whittington's coat of arms to that of Fouke Fitswarine who had a hand in building Whittington Castle and lived in a cottage not far from the castle.  Could it have been Fouke who set off on the ancient road (the A5 passes the castle gates) to seek his fortune and became Lord Mayor of London?

Another legend is that of Robin Hood.  There are many similarities between the lives of Fouke Fitswarine and Robin Hood which suggest that the two characters may have similar origins within our oral tradition. They were both outlawed by King John for instance. But that is not where the similarities end...

There is one legend concerning the heirs of Whittington Castle. In the ruins it said that people have seen and heard two children peering out of the twin towers, the tale saying that these are past heirs of the castle. When a cursed Elizabethan chest belonging to the castle was opened, apparently the heirs perished in great pain. Indeed, so much fear and superstition surrounds this chest that it has been hidden away for many years, until recently taken to a secret location for restoration. It will remain locked shut and it is thought that the key was lost in the moat.

There are many eye witness accounts of paranormal activity at the castle.  Gardeners have reported seeing strange white mists and balls of light appearing from nowhere and feelings of being observed.  Simlar phenomena has also been reported by the night watchman, inlcuding that of seeing a lone horseman in ancient apparel.  A courting couple, said to be Lord Faulk and Lady Hawise are seen from time to time.  They never succeeded to own the castle, perhaps that they are now in spirit form they have been able to fulfil this dream?  Loud, eerie and unexplained voices have also been heard coming from the locked castle tower.

This event includes:

• Exclusive overnight access to Whittington Castle
• Tea & Coffee throughout the night
• Supper Buffet
• Demonstration & full use of "Ghost Hunting" equipment
• Ghost Walk with our Medium
• Mediums & experienced Paranormal Investigators to guide you on your investigation
• Late night vigils
• Paranormal Experiments

• Post-Investigation Discussion Session