The history of Tattershall Castle dates back to 1231, when Henry III granted a license for Robert de Tateshale to build either a stone castle or a fortified manor house. The site back then consisted of a great hall, kitchens, a gatehouse and a chapel, all of which was fortified by a tall curtain wall surrounded by a single moat.

 

In the early 15th Century, Ralph Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell inherited Tattershall Castle, and when he became Lord Treasurer of England in 1434, he came to the conclusion that the stone castle wasn't grand enough for someone in his position, so he began to rebuild the Castle and renovate the site using brick materials, a fashionable commodity that was rare in medieval England. Ralph was an incredibly interesting character, as he had fought alongside Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt and served as Chamberlain of the Household twice for Henry VI. He had the Great Tower built behind the Great Hall, but in order to do this he had his men widen the diameter of the moat, meaning the Castle we see today stands firm on what would've been the 13th Century moat. Along with the Great Tower, he also constructed various other lodgings and buildings within the castle walls, including new kitchens, new stables and a guardhouse.

 

The Castle housed over 100 servants and a second, outer moat was dug soon after. Not only was this an extra addition to the Castle's defense, but it was also used with a theatrical purpose. It is said that with a double moat came a second gatehouse that visitors would have to pass through, providing them with another ceremonious welcome as they made their way through. The moats also linked up to the nearby river, providing an easy way of travel to bring in supplies and armaments.

 

Upon Lord Cromwell's death in 1456, the Castle passed into the Crown's possession since Ralph had no heir. It was then granted to loyal and familial subjects such as Edward IV, Henry VII, Margaret Beaufort and Henry VIII.

 

In 1537 when Henry VIII was seeking to divorce from the Roman Catholic Church in order to form the Church of England, a large protest started in parts of Lincolnshire, which escalated to 40,000 commoners marching towards Lincoln. Henry sent his best friend and later brother-in-law Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk up to Lincoln to squash what was known as the 'Lincolnshire Rising'. When Charles arrived the majority of these protesters fled, however he rounded up the rebellious ringleaders, tried and executed them. As a vote of thanks, Henry gifted Tattershall Castle to Charles and ordered for his immediate relocation there to keep the people of Lincolnshire in check. Charles Brandon lived out the rest of his days at Tattershall and upon his death requested to be buried in the nearby Church. Henry denied this request and instead buried him at much expense at Windsor Castle. Tattershall Castle was then inherited by the Clinton family who became the Earls of Lincoln and lived here for about 120 years.

 

In 1643 during the troublesome times of the English Civil War, large parts of the Castle was destroyed and heavily damaged. A Royalist army led by the Earl of Newcastle swept across Lincolnshire, and upon arrival to Tattershall they attacked the Castle, leaving only the Great Tower intact. After Charles I was defeated, Parliament ordered for the demolition of the entire castle site. The Earl of Lincoln appealed to Parliament several times, pleaing to spare the Great Tower from destruction. Due to his repeated pleas, Parliament revoked the demolition order and the Great Tower was saved.

 

When the last Earl of Lincoln died in 1693, the Fortesque family inherited the Castle but never lived there as they were based down in Devon. The Castle was left abandoned and gradually went into ruins. The floors had collapsed, the windows were broken and both moats were filled in. The ground floor Parlour was used as a cattle shed, so if you hear any phantom moos it's probably those cows. During the next 210 years, the place became a popular tourist destination for amorous people who spent many-a-time visiting this romantic ruin.

 

In 1910, the Fortesque family sold the Castle to an American consortium and the fireplaces were ripped out and sold on to an American collector. The following year, Reverend Yglesias of the Holy Trinity Church next door contacted Lord Curzon of Kedleston to help save the Castle from further destruction. He acknowledged this cry for help and purchased the Castle, and guided by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, he reinstated the historic fireplaces and restored the buildings that remained. In August 1914, Lord Curzon opened up the Castle as a visitor attraction, and when he died in 1925, he left Tattershall Castle to be cared for and looked after by the National Trust.

Tattershall Castle is not for the faint-hearted, as numerous paranormal occurrences have been reported over the years.

 

The Castle's most famous ghost is that of the White Lady. No one knows who this person is, but she has been seen on several occasions wandering the Battlements, as well as in the Private Chamber. She has been described as a glimmering woman wearing a white gown and a Norman headdress. While the original castle wasn't constructed until 1231 long after this period, could this Lady have a connection to the land rather the original stone castle?

 

Strange audibles like taps and bangs have been heard throughout the floors of the building for no apparent reason, and eerie disembodied voices echo the empty rooms, like conversations recorded from the past.

 

In certain parts of the Castle, visitors and staff have felt a sudden sensation of sickness thwarting them from continuing on, and the feeling of not being able to enter specific turret rooms in the Great Hall has also been documented, as if something or someone doesn't want them stepping any further. Who is causing these unsettling effects to people? Is there a secret they don't want people to know about?

 

One paranormal account is that of a poltergeist who causes mischief throughout the Castle, known to have moved objects around the chambers. Despite the Castle being closed one time, a member of staff discovered a load of leaflets scattered across the floor in one of the turret rooms. Could this be a playful spirit wanting to get our attention, or something more sinister issuing a warning of their presence?

 

The Cellars also pose a feeling of dread with its low ceiling, as if someone is lurking in the shadows watching your every move. While the Cellars stored wine and ale, it's believed that they were once used to imprison people in during the English Civil War. Does the vibrating energies of disgruntled souls still remain trapped within these decrepit walls?

DATE: Saturday 26th October 2024

 

TIMES: 8:00pm - 1:00am (Arrive 15 minutes early. Please wait patiently outside the main gates until a member of our team greets you there, where they will register you and other team members will guide you on-site to our base room)

 

LOCATION: National Trust - Tattershall Castle, Sleaford Road, Tattershall, Lincolnshire LN4 4LR

 

PARKING AT EVENT: On-site parking via Tattershall Castle Car Park.

 

REMAINING BALANCE: Needs to be paid FOUR WEEKS prior to the event date. Failure to pay your remaining balance before this deadline will result in you forfeiting your places and your places will be sold on.

 

WHAT TO BRING: A torch, a warm coat/jacket, sensible footwear, any equipment you wish to bring along (your responsibility), your positive and open-minded energies.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Bringing alcohol or drugs to this event is strictly prohibited. If anyone arrives at the event under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they will not be allowed to stay for the night and will be asked to leave immediately.