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Powis Castle in Wales has many ghost stories and legends to give you a chill, writes RICK HALE
Throughout the history of organized paranormal research, numerous theories have been put forward to explain why someone would shed this mortal coil and remain in this plane of existence.
For example, a violent, unexpected death is believed to be a major event. And the person may not even realize that he has disappeared from this world.
A second popular theory is delivering a message to the living. A person can die with something he or she needs, but death knocked before he could do that. As a researcher, I’ve come across this a few times.
And a third, unfinished business. Maybe you had something very important to do, but you were cut off at the end of your life. I think this could be the cause of an extraordinary amount of spookiness.
And if one of the many ghost stories is to be believed, this may be why the man in the gold-laced suit appeared at Powis Castle in Wales.
History of Powis Castle
Set atop lovingly maintained gardens, overlooking Welshpool, sits Powis Castle, a Grade II listed country house in north Wales.
Built in the 13th century, Powis Castle is unique in that it was not built by a Norman nobleman, but rather by a Welsh prince, Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn.
Gruffydd was a prince of the ancient kingdom of Powys and had close ties with Edward I of England.
Such an alliance was unheard of, but was most likely politically motivated so that he could secure a position for his son Owain.
Centuries later, at the end of the 16th century, the castle was purchased by Edward Herbert, son of the Earl of Pembroke.
The purchase of Powis Castle strengthened the Herbert family’s hold on the house. A hold that the Herbert family has retained into the 21st century.
Today the Herbert family has an agreement with the National Trust to live in the house and maintain the seat.
The Trust has been quite successful in preserving Powis Castle in its current state.
A number of renovations have been carried out over the years. And one of the main draws on your doorstep are the remarkable gardens.
The gardens at Powis Castle have their own Grade I listing. And they are considered by many to be the most important and beautiful in Wales. And after studying the photos of these special gardens, I understand why they are so loved.
The haunted castle of Powis
Although you should definitely visit this grand mansion for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens.
It is the ghosts of this ancient castle in North Wales that is one of the attractions of Powis.
And while it has many ghostly inhabitants, it is one legendary ghost that is so damn interesting.
The man in the gold-laced suit
Our story begins in 1780, when an elderly woman, a seamstress by profession, came to live in the castle. It is very likely that she practiced her profession with the Herbert family.
When she arrived, she was taken to her room. A room too large and opulent for someone of her position in life.
Certainly, a room of this size could only be intended for a Lord or Lady. She couldn’t understand why she was given this room. She would find out soon.
On her first night, she fell asleep reading the only possession she had: her Bible.
While she was sleeping soundly on her bed, she was awakened by a very strange sight.
A tall man, wearing a hat with gold laces and a suit, entered her room three times.
He walked to the window, peered out of the window and politely left the room with a nod.
The woman, not at all afraid, finally questioned the well-dressed ghost when he entered the room for the third time.
The ghost seemed surprised that anyone could see him and gestured for her to follow him. And throwing caution to the wind, she followed him out of the room.
The ghost led her into a small room where he began pulling up the floorboards. Underneath a simple wooden box.
The ghost then instructed the woman to take the box and a key to the earl in London.
We don’t know what was in that box. But whatever it was, the count was so overjoyed that he gave the woman her own house and enough money to support her for a lifetime.
All I can say in response to this legend is: hello spirit world. How about sending a little piece of that my way? No. It was worth a try, I guess.
This legend is of course one of the most beautiful, but are there other ghosts that haunt this ancient castle? This wouldn’t be Wales if it weren’t for that.
The woman black
Powis Castle seems to have its own lady in black. A ghostly figure seen in many castles in Britain.
The woman of Powis Castle in black usually hangs around the castle’s fireplaces.
She doesn’t really do much and seems somewhat distant, as she rarely interacts with those who see her. Many come to believe that she is nothing more than an echo in time.
Ticking the ivories
The Grand Ballroom is another infamous haunted area of Powis Castle.
In the ballroom there is a piano where people say a ghost likes to tickle the ivories, as the saying goes.
Whenever someone enters the room, the ghostly pianist objects to the intrusion and abruptly stops playing. All the person finds is a quiet room.
The rider
Finally, a ghostly horseman has been seen riding along the road to the castle.
Whoever this ghostly horseman is, the castle will never be reached. He disappears just a few meters from the entrance.
Powis Castle and its gardens are considered a national treasure by the people of Wales. And it is lovingly maintained by the National Trust.
Have you seen a ghost in Powis Castle? Tell us about it in the comments below!
