Thornbury is a little market town in the Severn Valley in south Gloucestershire England. The life of Thornbury castle began in 930, as a smaller manor house. William the Conqueror gave it to his wife, Matilda upon invading England and claiming all it’s land.

Construction of the castle began in 1511 by Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham after receiving a license from Henry VIII to build a fortified castle at Thornbury. He was later beheaded for treason and in 1521 the castle was confiscated by Henry VIII.

In 1535, while on Royal Procession, King Henry VIII stayed in the castle with his new queen, Ann Boleyn for 10 days. Whether he actually stayed there is debated by many, but he was in the area on Procession so it is very possible.

What really fascinates me about the castle beside the history is the alleged hauntings.

The most frequently seen ghost is Jasper Tudor, uncle to Henry VII. Apparently when he lived there, the first floor, where the offices are now kept, was for gentlemen only (I’ve also heard in another account that it was formerly his bedchamber). Whatever the room was, Jasper now seems unhappy that females are invading the space, and he makes his presence known – turning on the photocopier, knocking things off of shelves, etc. – but he seemed perfectly quiet and content when there was only one man working in the office. 

King Henry VII’s, daughter, Mary, was known to have stayed at Thornbury on several occasions, after the castle passed to her father.

The young princess has been reportedly seen wandering in the gardens with her greyhounds.