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Pevensey Castle, in East Sussex, has a mix of ghostly occurrences, intelligent apparitions and stone tape echoes, which have terrified the brave and curious for generations, writes RICK HALE
During my time as a ghost hunter, I have come across several haunted places where more than one type of spooky behavior occurs.
This may sound like a strange statement, but these places seemed to have both intelligent and stoneband haunts.
Located on the far southern coast of Great Britain in East Sussex is such a place: Pevensey Castle.
An ancient fortress now in ruins, but protected by the ever watchful eye of English heritage.
The history of Pevensey Castle
Pevensey Castle can trace its early history back to Roman occupation and was first fortified in 290 CE.
The Romans built the fortress there because it was a naturally defensible location against the surrounding tribes and foreign aggressors who attempted to usurp Roman rule in Britain.
When the Romans withdrew in the 5th century AD, a small community continued to thrive behind the fortified walls.
That was until 471, when Saxon invaders broke through the walls and destroyed the village.
No one was spared the edge of the sword. Every man, woman and child was brutally murdered. No one survived.
Centuries later, Pevensey would play a crucial role in the history of Britain. A role that changed his fortunes forever.
In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, sailed his vast armada of ships to Pevensey Bay, preventing the invasion of Normandy.
William the Conqueror wasted no time in creating a swath of destruction across the land, burning and plundering everything in sight.
His campaign ended at Hastings, where he defeated King Harald on the battlefield and was crowned King of Britain.
In the intervening years, Pevensey Castle has been rebuilt and added to several times.
Intrigue, betrayal and bloodshed became a serious part of Pevensey Castle’s history.
In addition to all the murders and betrayals, Pevensey Castle was also used by smugglers.
Under the cover of night, French smugglers quietly sailed their boats into Pevensey Bay and brought illegal goods and services into Britain, using the old castle as a base.
And I’m sure that in this kind of criminal activity, murder and deceit were common in this already cursed castle.
However, the history of Pevensey Castle is not all darkness and death. During the Second World War the castle served the empire.
Fearing an invasion from Nazi Germany, the military equipped Pevensey Castle with guns and housed British, Canadian and American soldiers in case Hitler tried to invade.
Fortunately, that invasion never came. However, it is a shame that the post-war years were not kind to this once great stronghold.
For centuries, Pevensey Castle was home to kings and conquerors.
Today, Pevensey Castle, although protected by English Heritage, is now home to ghosts. But those ghosts aren’t just metaphorical; Pevensey Castle has a lot of the real thing.
The sound of marching
When the foundations of Pevensey Castle were laid during the Roman occupation, it was known as Fort Anderitum.
There, Roman soldiers marched all day and trained to prepare for battle.
That sound of marching soldiers apparently made an impression on the castle grounds.
Visitors to Pevensey Castle have reported the eerie sound of marching feet in and near the castle. Along with the sound of voices speaking in a language long dead.
The camper’s fear
Camping is a popular pastime for outdoor enthusiasts. To be honest, I’m not one of those people.
Still, there are many, and the last thing you would expect on a camping trip is a ghost. But then again, most have never camped at Pevensey Castle.
One evening, as a group of twelve campers sat around the fire, they watched in horror and awe as the wispy apparition of a woman suddenly appeared.
They watched as she walked right through a fence and disappeared when she reached the castle.
After hearing a story like this, I may have to reconsider my position on camping.
The monk and the drummer boy
Along with this ghostly white lady appears the terrifying apparition of a large man in a black monk’s robe.
This sinister spirit is said to radiate a sense of fear and is seen lurking in the shadows of the dark corners of the castle.
And the ghost of a young drummer boy can be seen on the castle battlements, as well as heard playing his drum for a charge lost to history.
The Gray Lady
Iconic gray ladies are a big part of English ghost stories and can be found in almost every castle in Britain. Pevensey Castle is no different.
A ghostly gray lady is seen floating silently through the castle, paying very little attention to those who see her as she goes about her business.
It is believed that this particular gray lady is the ghost of Joan of Navarre, the second wife of Henry IV.
While married to the king, Joan was accused of trying to poison the king’s son using witchcraft.
At the time, such an accusation would have brought a swift verdict and an appointment with the executioner.
But Joan was merely stripped of her belongings and imprisoned in Pevensey Castle. She was later pardoned by Henry V, the very man she was accused of trying to kill.
Pevensey Castle has a long and rich history full of intrigue and murder. It is open to the public for tours. And if you’re lucky, you might meet one of the many ghosts.
Have you seen a ghost at Pevensey Castle? Tell us about it in the comments below!
