Old Wardour Castle

Old Wardour castle was originally built in 1390 by John Lord Lovell, a soldier, mercenary knight and politician who had connections through marriage to Richard II. This gave him increasing prestige and wealth and allowed him to aquire lands to build his castle upon. The castle was five stories high and hexagonal in shape and built to the most lavish of living standards. Later, Lord Lovell lightly fortified the castle due to tensions rising around the Lancastrican king Henry VI, whom Lovell supported. After the death of Lord Lovell in 1408, the castle passed through the hands of several different families unitl it fell into the ownership of staunch Catholic, Sir Thomas Arundell in 1544. Arundell enjoyed five years of countryside decadence until he was executed for treason. The castle was confiscated from the family. In 1570, Sir Thomas's son, Matthew, repurchased the house for the Arundell family. Life at Old Wardour Castle seemed peaceful for a spell until the English Civil War reached Wiltshire. In May 1643, Old Wardour Castle was under siege. 1300 Parliamentarian troops arrived at the doors of the castle but the owner, Sir Thomas Arundell, was away fighting the royalist cause leaving his wife Lady Blanche, their children and 25 trained fighters to defend the grounds. The castle held out for five days until finally, they were defeated and the castle was taken by the Parliamentarians and garrisoned. The Arundells had once again lost their beloved home. However, Sir Thomas and Lady Blanche's son Henry, returned to Old Wardour later that year and after a four month siege, regained control of the castle. Sadly, the castle was greatly damaged and beyond repair. The Arundell family decided to keep it as an ornamental ruin and began rebuilding New Wardour Castle just half a mile away. The ruin is today managed by English Heritage. Unsurprisingly, the violent conflict Old Wardour Castle has seen has led to rumours of tormented spirits who still roam the grounds. One such spirit, is said to be the ghostly apparition of Lady Blanche Arundell. Visitors to the castle over the years have reported a grey figure that glides towards the lake, seemingly deep in thought. She has also been spotted along the castle walls. Is this Lady Blanche, heartbroken and tormented at the violent loss of her home all those years ago? Some witnesses have also reported the disembodied sounds of metal armour clashing. Could this be the English Civil War soldiers locked in an eternal battle? The grounds themselves along with the woods that line the perimeter are also said to feel eerie to the modern day visitor. Just what or who is still watching those who tread the historic grounds of this breathtaking ruin?