OLD WARDOUR CASTLE

Old Wardour Castle, Near Shaftsbury, Wiltshire.

In May 1643 a Parliamentary force of around 1300 soldiers laid siege to Old Wardour Castle and, since it was defended by only Lady Blanche Arundell and twenty-five faithful retainers, the attackers, no doubt, expected a quick victory.

Old Wardour castle
Photograph By John Mason
The Haunted Realm

They had, however, misjudged the redoubtable Lady Blanche, for she managed to hold out at Old Wardour Castle for five days and only surrendered after two mines had been exploded under the walls.

The Parliamentarians then garrisoned Old Wardour Castle, but the following year, after the death of Lord Arundell, his successor returned with a small force and, after a four-month siege, took back the fortress that had been built by his ancestors in the 14th century.

But the damage was so great, that the family were forced to live in the corn store, and Old Wardour Castle castle was never repaired.

The family died out in the 20th century, and it is therefore unlikely that one of castles more unique supernatural phenomenon will ever again be repeated.

It was always said that, whenever the death of a family member was close at hand, white owls would appear fluttering around the castle to warn of the approaching tragedy.

But, although prophetic owls may be a thing of the past, the intrepid ghost hunter who ventures to this unusual, though romantic ruin, may be amply rewarded with a manifestation of Lady Blanche who, as twilight creeps through the nooks and crannies of her old home, appears in doleful contemplation upon the walls of Old Wardour Castle where she once loaded the match-lock guns for her faithful companions.