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The November Ghost in Château de Bonaguil

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Explore the breathtaking Château de Bonaguil in south-western France. Take a journey through history as you uncover this majestic 12th century fortified castle where a Woman in White is said to haunt the castle every November. 

Marvel at the majestic 12th-century fortress of Château de Bonaguil in Saint-Front-sur-Lémance in south-western France! Located near the Lot and Dordogne rivers, this spectacular castle is filled with tales and secrets of centuries past. 

The name comes from bonne aiguille (good needle), referring to the pointy rock it is built upon. From its impressive architecture to the stunning views of its surrounding landscape, Château de Bonaguil offers an unforgettable adventure into history and culture.

Read about more Haunted Châteaus in France.

A Brief History of the Château de Bonaguil

Château de Bonaguil was first built in the 12th century by knight Arnaud de la Tour of Fumel, who later became Lord of Bonaguil. During the Hundred Years War, the Lords of Bonaguil sided with the English and was a location that saw a lot of battle as the castle was taken and retaken by the fighting sides. 

The castle underwent renovations and reconstructions throughout its rich history – most notably, in the late 15th century by the House of Bérenger de Roquefeuil family, it was modified to become an impressive fortress with formidable defenses and it is one of the last fortified castles in France from the Middle Ages. 

Over the last century, the castle’s many towers and bastions have been restored and reinforced, giving visitors a chance to experience the castle’s fascinating heritage firsthand.

Paranormal Investigation of the Haunted Castle

The castle is old, has a bloody history as well as being riddled in centuries of ghost stories and legends. Haunted rumors were so many that a paranormal team once went to do a thorough investigation. People have reported about a burning sensation as well as pressures on their shoulders and temperature drops. 

They have also reported strange sounds around the castle grounds as well as there are photographs people mean captured the ghost on camera. Who can it be that is haunting the old castle?

Dame Blanche of Bonaguil

Château de Bonaguil is said to have its own unsettling paranormal story, in the form of the White Lady or the Dame Blanche in french. It is claimed that a ghostly figure appears both around the grounds of the castle, as well as wandering along its courts and galleries. 

The story of Dame Blanche is plentiful in French folklore and as a sight in old castles especially. In French mythology or folklore, Dames Blanches were female spirits or supernatural beings, comparable to the Weiße Frauen of both Dutch and German mythology.

November Hauntings

Legend has it that there’s a mysterious white lady haunting the Château de Bonaguil known as the Dame Blanch or Dame de Bonaguil. She is thought to be the ghost of Marguerite de Fumel who spent much time in the Château de Bonaguil to fix it up and keep it. 

Dame Blanche de Château de Bonaguil: Local scholar Max Pons has entrusted a photo of his wedding to the Chateau de Bonaguil and claims that a ghost appeared (outlined in red) at the time the photo was developed. © Photo credit: source

For unknown reasons she is said to return in the middle of the night during November month to haunt the castle. Can it be that the castle she spent so much time on were looted and robbed during the French Revolution?   

The Legend of Marguerite de Fumel

It is said that Dame Blanche once was a noble lady and daughter of Béranger de Roquefeuil, a cruel and vicious man that took great pleasure in executing people during the peasant rebellion. 

Marguerite de Fumel was sick of her tyrant father and wished to run away with her lover. But her father set her up for marriage with a wealthy and old count. The legend goes that she fled tearfully from the castle never to be seen alive again, only as the ghost haunting the grounds. 

We do know however that Marguerite de Fumel died in Paris after years of marriage in 1699. But the ghost story about the White Lady haunting the castle in November continues to persist. 

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References

Featured Image: Josep Renalias

Château de Bonaguil – Wikipedia 

Lot-et-Garonne. En novembre, la Dame blanche revient hanter le château de Bonaguil

Lot-et-Garonne : France 2 consacre un sujet sur les mystères du château de Bonaguil

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The Mysterious Ghosts Newton House by Dinefwr Castle

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Delve deep into the mysteries of the castle of Dinefwr and discover its haunted ghosts. The castle grounds are said to be haunted by both a loyal butler as well as a murdered lady in white that tried to escape a loveless marriage.

Tucked away in the rolling Welsh countryside, Dinefwr Castle holds a dark secret—it is haunted by ghosts that have roamed its halls for centuries.

The castle, also known as Old Dynevor Castle is now in ruins as it overlooks the River Towy close to Llandeilo in Wales. 

Llandeilo Town in Wales

Dinefwr is situated in the small town of Llandeilo in Wales. This area has always had a reputation for mythical tales, with local folklore claiming that Dinefwr Castle was once inhabited by mysterious ghosts. 

The stories date back hundreds of years and each generation adds more details to the spooky tales that have become part of the culture. For example, some people believe that spirits haunt the castle grounds and are said to create flickering lights or howling noises!

The History of Dinefwr Castle

Dinefwr Castle is steeped in history and mystery and dates back to the 12th century and was the chief seat of the Dinefwr dynasty of the Kingdom of Deheubarth in south Wales. 

Built by Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deheubarth, it gained status as an important fortress as tensions among Welsh kingdoms rose. 

His reign saw a rare period of peace and stability that led to a flowering of Welsh culture, music and poetry. The Dinefwr dynasty was mostly warlord led and constantly invaded.

Sadly, it was not to last. After Rhys’s death, conflicts over succession led to turbulent years as the Welsh princes fought amongst themselves and against the English. Dinefwr eventually fell into English control in 1287 and remained there for centuries, despite Owain Glyndŵr’s attempt to wrest it back during his uprising of 1403.

Its location on a hill overlooking the Towy Valley was strategic and also held spiritual significance to local residents.  Throughout its long history, rumors of spectral residents began to take root and tales of spooky sightings have been told ever since.

The Haunting Grounds in Newton House

When talking about the hauntings around this place, many people make the mistake to think that the ghosts are roaming around the  ancient ruins of the castle, but this is not entirely true. The ghosts that are now famous are supposedly haunting the country house called Newton House on the castle grounds in Dinefwr Park that was built in 1660. 

Among the ghosts said to be haunting the grounds are Walter the Butler who worked in the house and is now haunting the servant’s basement. People have smelled his tobacco smoke in the room as well as hearing muffled voices as the lights are flickering on and off. 

Ghosts of Dinefwr Castle

But perhaps best known is the tragic story about the White Lady that supposedly haunts the grounds as well. This is also supposed to happen in the old country house. 

The White Lady of Dinefwr Castle is said to be the ghost of Lady Elinor Cavendish and her horrible end. There are even reports that people have visited and have felt as if their throats are being squeezed, the same way that she died. 

There are tales about the ghost of a young girl, now remembered as the White Lady of Dinefwr Castle and according to the rumours, people have seen the ghost of a woman disappearing into the cupboard. 

The story goes that Lady Elinor Cavendish was forced into an unwanted marriage in the 18th century and tried to run away from the loveless marriage and her brutal husband to be. But she was not allowed to slip out of his hands and her husband followed her and when he caught up to her, he strangled her to death. 

Lady Elinor Cavendish now haunts the grounds, the country house of Newton House and the ruins of DInefwr Castle, still trying to escape the life she didn’t want for herself.

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References:

Dinefwr Castle | Cadw

Spooky stories and legends of ghosts and more this Hallowe’en | South Wales Guardian 

Newton House, Llandeilo – Wikipedia 

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The Lady in White in Bernkastel-Kues Cemetery

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In a cute medieval town in Germany, there is a dark and haunted cemetery. The cemetery in Bernkastel-Kues is said to be haunted by a woman in white. And this particular woman in white is also said to be deadly dangerous. 

The city of Bernkastel-Kues is a quaint little town in the Moselle valley known for its sweet Riesling wine, a state recognized health resort and a medieval marketplace. But just outside the city, where the graves and the dead reside, a Woman in White is said to haunt the place. 

There are more stories about haunted cemeteries to dive into in the Moonmausoleum. Read them here: Haunted Cemeteries

The Lady In White

At Bernkastel-Kues Cemetery there are several stories floating around. The biggest one is of the White Lady og Bernkastel-Kues, a Lady in White that is often told about in German ghost stories. 

The woman in white of this cemetery is said to be wearing a long flowy white dress as she is floating from one grave to another. Many reports tell about her crying. 

The Haunted Hunter

One story involving the Lady in White was when a hunter encountered her, possibly at Bernkastel-Kues Cemetery. He was terrified of seeing her and fell ill. The very next day he was taken to Koblenz, which was a military hospital. 

When he was put into the hospital he had swollen legs and a high fever, but he didn’t make any sense to the people around him. He kept on rambling about a woman in white that had attacked him. He died after his injuries, and no one ever found out what really happened there. 

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The White Lady of Kinsale Haunting Charles Fort

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Haunting the battlements of the historic Charles Fort in Ireland, a ghost after a tragic killing is said to haunt the ground. The White Lady of Kinsale is a ghost that remained after her father killed her husband on their wedding night. 

On the misty coast of Ireland lies a place steeped in mystery and tales of the supernatural. Charles Fort, or Dún Chathail in Irish, is a historic fortification south in the country that has gained notoriety as one of Ireland’s most haunted locations. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

Legend has it that Charles Fort is home to a number of ghostly apparitions, from the Lady in White who wanders the ramparts to the phantom soldiers who still march within its walls, the fort is said to be teeming with otherworldly activity.

The History of Charles Fort

Built in the late 17th century, Charles Fort played a crucial role in defending the coastline against invasions. It was strategically positioned at the entrance to Kinsale Harbour, making it an important stronghold for the British Army. Its star-shaped design, a common feature in military architecture at the time, allowed for increased protection and better sightlines.

Charles Fort: Dún Chathail is a bastion fort with one section of the outer wall built in star fashion. It is located on the water’s edge, at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale harbour, County Cork, Ireland.//Source: Jonjobaker/Wikimedia

The fort was named after King Charles II of England, who commissioned its construction. Over the years, Charles Fort witnessed numerous conflicts and sieges, including the Williamite War in the late 17th century and the Irish War of Independence in the early 20th century. 

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Fortresses and Castles around the world

The Legend of the White Lady of Kinsale

The White Lady of Kinsale is said to stalk the battlements of Charles Fort, where her father, commander Colonel Warrender, killed her husband on their wedding night. The White Lady’s haunting origins can be traced back to the 17th century. Wilful Warrander fell in love with an officer named Sir Trevor Ashurt and decided to get married. 

The Star Shaped Fort: Charles Fort was built on the site of the ruins of an earlier stronghold known as Barry Óg Castle, at Rincurran. The Ringcurran defences had featured prominently during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601. Now the fort is in ruins and only ghost story remains. //Source: Dieglop/Wikimedia

According to the story, Wilful saw some flowers she liked on the battlement and Sir Trevor wanted to climb down to pick some for her. A guard on duty volunteered to go in his place, and Sir Trevor stepped in as a guard and waited, but fell asleep. 

Her father did a nightly inspection and saw a guard asleep on his job. He was known for enforcing a strict military code and shot the guard through the heart, only realizing afterwards that it was his son-in-law he had shot. 

Wilful was so full of grief and threw herself from the ramparts and into the ice cold water. It is said that when her father lost his daughter he was filled with despair and shot himself the very same night. 

Haunting in her Wedding Dress

Legend has it that she now seeks revenge on any unsuspecting souls who cross her path. Since then, witnesses have reported seeing a ghostly woman in a wedding dress wreaking havoc around the fortress.

Soldiers stationed at the fort have even claimed to have seen her walking through walls, her ethereal figure disappearing into thin air. Parents stationed at Charles Fort have also shared chilling accounts of the White Lady watching their children as they slept, her presence filling the room with an eerie sense of unease.

The Lady in White: The Ghost of the White Lady haunting Charles Fort in Ireland, is seen still wearing her wedding dress. She is also said to have been dangerous on some occasions.

She is also said to be haunting the streets of Kinsale where she grew up and in a hotel called The White Lady, her ghost appears a couple of times a month. 

The Danger of the Lady in White

One of the most terrifying accounts of the White Lady’s wrath dates back to 1922. A medical officer stationed at Charles Fort was staying in one of the rooms when he was suddenly awoken by a chilling presence.

Photo: Wikimedia

Before he realized what was happening he found himself being dragged from his room and thrown down a flight of stairs by a young robed woman. 

The officer sustained injuries from the fall, but what shook him to his core was the knowledge that he had come face to face with the vengeful spirit of the White Lady herself.

Read More: For more ghost stories about women in white, check out The Lady in White in Zitadelle Spandau, La Llorona the Mexican Weeping Woman Ghost, The Hauntings of the Chute de la Dame Blanche or The Haunted History of Prince Gong’s Mansion in Beijing

Visitors to Charles Fort are now warned to tread carefully and be mindful of their surroundings, for the White Lady may still roam the halls, seeking justice for her tragic fate.

Exploring the mysteries of Charles Fort

In conclusion, Charles Fort is a place where history and the supernatural intertwine. Its haunted reputation, fueled by tales of the White Lady and other ghostly apparitions, has made it a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts alike. 

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Featured Image: Dieglop/Wikimedia

Charles Fort (Ireland) – Wikipedia

Ireland’s Ghostly White Lady of Kinsale | Authentic Vacations 

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The Headless Ghost of the Lady in White at Corfe Castle

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Haunted by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, Corfe Castle has been the source of many spine-tingling tales and in the night the light of the Will-o’-the-wisp flicker as the ghost roams the ruins.  

Step into Corfe Castle and explore its notorious history of hauntings, ghastly apparitions, and spine-tingling folklore in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England. 

With tales of mysterious spirits walking the halls, eerie sightings on misty mornings, and other supernatural phenomena, this castle is considered to be among the most haunted places in Britain.

The History of The Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle has been both a Saxon stronghold and a Norman fortress before it became a royal castle and was established by William the Conqueror on the steep hill way back between 1066 and 1087 and saw the wars, coronation and the ebb and flow of British history take form over the years. 

Read More: Check out all of the Haunted Castles from around the world

The castle was partially destroyed in the English Civil War in 1646 when the Parliamentarians laid siege on it. They toppled the once great castle and laid it to the ruins you see today on top of the hill. Corfe castle remains now a majestic ruin and an image of how medieval castle used to be.

The Strange Lights from the Ruins

When people have walked through the abandoned ruins stripped for its royal glory, they have also encountered strange things some claim have been of the paranormal sort. 

Read Also: The Pagan Haunting of Die Karlsteine in Osnabrück for more stories of Will-o’-the-wisp

More than once there have been reports of strange flickering lights moving like pixie light or Will-o’-the-wisp around the grounds at night. Some speculate that it is the soldiers from the English civil war, some say it is something more ancient. 

Will-o’-the-wisp: In Welsh folklore, it is said that the light is “fairy fire” held in the hand of a púca, or pwca, a small goblin-like fairy that leads lone travellers off the beaten path at night. As the traveller follows the púca through the marsh or bog, the fire is extinguished, leaving them lost. The púca is said to be one of the Tylwyth Teg, or fairy family. In Wales the light predicts a funeral that will take place soon in the locality.

The Starved Child Ghost in the Cottage

There have also been said that they have heard a child’s cry from inside a small cottage that is located next to the castle ruins and on the castle grounds. When checking both the cottage and the grounds, there have been no children to be found. 

People speculate that it is the child of the 4th Lord of Bramber, William de Braose who fell out of favor with the king and is most known for carrying out the Abergavenny Massacre where he lured three Welsh Princes and other Welsh leaders to their death. It is said that his wife and child starved to death at Corfe Castle. 

The young son William and his wife Maud de Clare were starved or possibly killed by King John in 1210 when they were held in prison in  Corfe Castle because of the crimes of his father as he fled the country and died in exile. 

The Lady in White of Corfe Castle

One of the most famous legends about Corfe Castle is that of the Lady in White. It is said that she wanders the castle grounds, clad in a long white dress. It is said to be the ghost of Lady Mary Bankes who fought through two sieges during the Civil War before being betrayed by her own in 1646 when the Parliamentary soldiers took the castle.

The most frightening thing about seeing her specter though is that she is said to be headless as she is drifting through the ruins. 

The Lady in White In Wales: Y Ladi Wen or Dynes Mewn Gwyn (Woman in white) is dressed in white, her presence most notable during Calan Gaeaf, the Welsh Halloween. Known for being a ghostly figure, sometimes terrifying, and is often invoked to caution children against misbehavior. She is characterized in various ways and may even seek help if spoken to. Y Ladi Wen is also associated with restless spirits guarding hidden treasures. Throughout Wales, places inspired by sightings and tales of Y Ladi Wen can be found. For example, Ewenny has White Lady’s Meadow and White Lady’s Lane, while St Athan also has a tradition associated with Y Ladi Wen.

Brave Dame Mary and her Defence of the Castle

Mary Bankes earned the title Brave Dame Mary and was a Royalist and defended the castle for three years under a siege during the English Civil War from 1643 to 1645 when she took control over the castle as her husband was sent to fight in London and Oxford.

Brave Dame Mary: holding the keys with Corfe Castle in the distance.

She defended the castle with her daughters, her servants and five soldiers against 600 troops as the Corfe Castle was the last garrison on the Dorsetshire coast belonging to the Royalists still standing.  

She survived the siege after being betrayed by one of her officers who led the Parliamentarians into the castle via a sally gate and she was forced to surrender. But she never gave up reclaiming the castle, and when she died in 1661, the ruins of the castle was bought on her behalf and went to her daughter, Joanna, who in turn passed it to her own daughters and the Bankes family held the castle for centuries before giving it back to the Dorset community.

Not even in her death she gave up on the castle and still roams the ground. Sightings of her have been reported by visitors and employees alike on coronation days and other special occasions. People swear they have seen her walking through walls and walking up staircases leading to nowhere, mostly by the castle gate before fading into thin air.

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References:

Lady Mary Bankes and the Siege of Corfe Castle 

Mary Bankes – Wikipedia 

Corfe Castle – Wikipedia

Corfe Castle is fourth most insta-worthy haunted building in England | Dorset Echo 

The ‘haunted’ history of Dorset’s Corfe Castle 

William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber – Wikipedia 

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The Haunted Road of Bundesstraße 215

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The B215 otherwise known as Bundesstraße 215 is a stretch of roads that are haunted in Germany. It has more deadly accidents than other roads in the country according to the stories, and is also haunted by a Woman in White. 

Germany is famous for its comfortable long stretches of highway that cuts through the country in no time. There are some roads though who have a rather dark reputation surrounding the dark concrete. 

Read about all the ghost stories about haunted roads in the Moonmausoleum: Here

The B215 is a road in Germany where they say strange things happen. The federal highway runs between Hanover and Hamburg in Lower Saxony. It is an old road and the stretch between Nienurg and Verden was built already in 1849. 

Supposedly it has more accidents than any other road in Germany, and in particular close to the city of Verden, they are supposedly more dangerous to drive than other places in the country.  

The White Lady Along the Road

There are also stories about a white lady that can be spotted along the Bundesstraße 215. Stories about these White Women are plentiful in Germany and they have long standing in ghost stories. In German legends and folklore the stories of the Weiße Frauen, meaning White Women used to be a name meant to the elven-spirits and the stories of the light elves from pagan times. Today she is known for haunting old castles, families and other places where women died full of regret. 

Read more ghost stories about the White Lady and the Women in White like: The Haunting of The House of Hohenzollern

This particular Lady in White is someone you can see out of the corner of your eyes along the haunted Bundesstraße 215 when you are driving down Bundesstraße 215 in the dark. She is said to appear between 2 and 3 am in the night if you are driving too fast. It is unsure if she is a warning to the reckless drivers or if she is the one behind causing the accidents. 

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Most Haunted Places in Germany

Bundesstraße 215 – Wikipedia

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The White Lady of Burg Wolfsegg

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In the old gothic castle of Burg Wolfsegg in Germany, there is a local castle legend about a White Lady haunting the place. The ghost is supposedly of one of the Countess living there who was murdered by her husband.  

Burg Wolfsegg is a wonderful old gothic castle in Germany, built in the 15th century and still standing today in Bavaria. It’s a piece of history and culture that is full of mystery and legends and filled with ghost stories.

This majestic building was once home to German nobility and is one of the few castles that over the years, never was destroyed and rebuilt. The walls still echo the tales of heroism, love, and tragedy, financial trouble and a possible murder. There are stories told around campfires about the haunted old castle— stories of ghosts that roam its corridors and in the underground caves beneath the castle. 

One of the ghosts said to roam around the castle to this day is that of the White Lady. There have been tales about her since the 1600s. In European ghost stories, there are often women who are restless spirits that died buried with guilt or shame about something. 

The White Lady in the Castle

At Wolfsegg however, the White Lady is said to be a woman who died in the 1400s. There are many variations to the story today, but one of them is the tale about a woman left to her own devices when her husband was away. To run the castle, she turned to the owner of a neighboring manor for his help in managing the big castle. 

When her husband and lord of the castle returned, however, he suspected his wife was having an affair with the man and was overcome with jealousy and rage. The husband ended up hiring two people to murder her. 

In another variation of the legend, the husband was even in on the plot of seducing the manager to blackmail him. When the feelings between the two turned out to be real however, he killed her with his own hands. 

The White Lady: Basking in the sunlight, hiding in the shadows, her dress is always white. In German legends and folklore the stories of the Weiße Frauen, meaning White Women used to be a name meant to the elven-spirits and the stories of the light elves from pagan times.

The Real People Behind the Legend

A legend like this will always be hard to prove, and even harder considering all the different variations of it. The real people behind this legend are thought to be that of Lord von Laaber and his wife. The couple resided in Wolfegg in the 145th and 15th centuries. 

Ulrich V. von Laaber and his wife Klara von Helfenstein was struggling with their finances at the start of the 15th century as the owners of Burg Wolfsegg. Although there is not really much evidence to it as the historical records shows that Klara von Helfenstein survived her husband by many years. But the story of the haunting of the castle is very old, and can be found in written accounts back to the start of the 1900s. 

The Castle: It is an old medieval castle from the gothic period with more than one ghost story to tell of. The most famous one in Burg Wolfsegg is that of the White Lady. Source// Wikimedia

The story is about the White Lady though, and according to the castle’s own website, the first written account they have found about the White Lady ghost is from 1952 when it gained traction through travel accounts. 

This is not the only castle with a legend about a lady in white haunting the place. Read also: The Haunting of the House of Hohenzollern

From then on the legend about the White Lady and Klara von Helfenstein sped up and the owners of the castle started putting on plays in front of the castle to further drive the legend from the dark corners of the Burg Wolfsegg and into the world. 

A Medium Visits the Burg Wolfsegg

In 1966, the legend reached its peak when a weekly magazine published an article about the legend inside of Burg Wolfsegg. The castle was visited by a parapsychologist from New York named Hans Holzer in 1968 together with a medium called Edith Riedl.

The medium was contacted by the Lady in White and she was identified as Klara von Helfenstein where she told them about the story that on October 17, 1463, a young man was murdered in one of the chambers known as the Weizkammer and that the husband had been involved with the murder. 

Other than tales from the medium aout Klara von Helfenstein and the murder, there are reports about strange light phenomena and strange noises from the underground cave are heard throughout the castle sometimes. 

So what reason did the countess have to haunt the Burg Wolfsegg after her death though? Considering Klara von Helfenstein didn’t really get murdered by her husband’s hand, was she rather full of regret about her dead lover then? Or is the White Lady a mystery still not solved of who it’s behind the white vail?

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DETAILS & RECHERCHE ZUR BURG | Burg Wolfsegg

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The Haunted History of Prince Gong’s Mansion in Beijing

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The ghost of a woman i white has been spotted in the haunted Prince Gong’s Mansion in Beijing. It is said it is the ghost of a grieving mother that never recovered after the death of her son. 

Prince Gong’s Mansion (恭王府) is today a tourist attraction in Beijing, but it used to be a grand mansion for some of the most powerful people in China, and also the home to one of the richest ghost. 

The mansion is considered one of the most exquisite Chinese imperial mansions, representing the elegant lifestyle of Qing Dynasty royalty. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from China

The mansion is also known to be one of the more haunted places in the country, and there are several reports going on for centuries about a woman in white walking the grounds as a ghost, still crying and mourning the loss of her lost son. 

Prince Gong’s Mansion

Prince Gong’s Mansion is a true testament to the siheyuan-style that characterized this period in history and named after a Manchu prince, Yixin or better known as Prince Gong that was an important statesman during the 1800s. 

The Manchus are a Tungusic East Asian ethnic group from Manchuria in Northeast Asia and led the Qing Dynasty from the 1600s until the imperial rule ended in 1912.

But the haunted rumors started long before Prince Gong moved into it. 

The Richest and most Corrupt Man in China

Before the mansion was given to Prince Gong it belonged to another. Prince Gong’s Mansion was originally built in 1777 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor for his favorite adviser, Heshen (和珅). 

As one of the most powerful court officials during the Qing Dynasty, Heshen was remembered for his lavish lifestyle and incredible influence over imperial politics. He was also remembered to be one of the most corrupt officials in Chinese history and one of the richest as well.

The Death of Feng Jiwen

He lived together with his family and loved his wife, Feng Jiwen who he loved more than anything and they had a loving relationship even before he got into all the money. It is worth noting he had around 80 concubines as well in the house, but historical writings actually say his wife even encouraged it. 

No matter how much money and gold a person has though, it isn’t enough and Feng Jiwen didn’t get to live out her loving family life until the very end though and got her heart broken to bits when her youngest son died in a battle fighting rebels. 

Heshen, who was prepared to do anything for his beloved wife, hired monks to care for his wife and was hoping to pray for her to come back to her senses and health. His efforts were in vain though and it’s said she died of a broken heart.

She certainly fell ill and Heshen even offered 500 000 silver to the one able to cure her illness. After her death he was distraught, didn’t show up to work for months and wrote 6 poems about her to mourn her. 

The Fall of Heshen

And even Heshen ended in tragedy as he was eventually apprehended when the throne got a new emperor that didn’t look at him as favorably when the Qianlong Emperor abdicated in 1796. They made him hang himself and had all of his belongings, as well as the mansion confiscated. 

After her death she stayed on in her afterlife unable to move on. She and several of former escorts for Heshen have been seen around the palace, and the guards working there have claimed to have seen a woman in white walking the premises. You can hear the cries of a mother echo through the old mansion.

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和珅- 维基百科，自由的百科全书

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The History and Legends of the Haunted Abbaye De Mortemer

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Discover the secrets and legends of Abbaye De Mortemer, an infamous haunted abbey in rural France. Explore its haunting history from Dames Blanches, ghost monks, werewolves and a goblin cat guarding a treasure.

Hidden deep within the French countryside lies the Abbaye De Mortemer, an ancient structure with a chilling past. The former Cistercian Monastery in the Forest of Lyons is the home to eerie sightings and ghostly apparitions.

Origins of the Abbaye De Mortemer

Established in 1134, the Abbaye De Mortemer was an ancient abbey that was a gift to the Cistercians by Henry I of England. 

Read Also: There are many supposedly haunted abbeys and monasteries around the world. Check them out: Here

The name comes from the stagnant water of the lake that was dug out by the monks. It was called the Dead Pond which in French is Morte Mare. 

Abbaye De Mortemer Ruins: Most of the once grand abbay in France is now only ruins and is said to be haunted by more than one ghost. //Source//Wikimedia/Tango7174

Who owned the abbey depended on who owned the land from year to year. It was founded by the English king, but ended up under the French crown after the Hundred Year War ended in 1453. 

It held out despite it falling into disrepair until 1790 when it was dissolved under the French Revolution. Only 4 monks remained alive living in the abbey. They would end up remaining there, even in their afterlife.  

Dame Blanches of Mathilde I’Emperesse

The one thought to be haunting the place is the daughter of Abbaye De Mortemer founder, Mathilde I’Emperesse or Matilda of England.

Her father was King Henry I of England and she was one of those with a claim to the English throne in the civil war between England and Normandy between 1138 and 1153 which was known as The Anarchy. 

Why she is haunting this abbey is unclear as she died at an old age far away. She had close ties to this abbey as it was said she was a very spiritual woman and the order of the Cisterican monks because of the importance of the Virgin Mary, a saint of great importance to her. 

A picture supposedly depicting her ghost got well known in 1999, however French television has since debunked the image as lighting trickery. 

According to legend she walks by the ancient pools and mist is created on them. By local lore you do best to look away if you spot her. If she wears black gloves it means bad luck and misfortune. If she is wearing white, there is a happy event in the coming year. If you see her twice though you are condemned to death. 

The Helpful Ghost Monks

People have reported a number of sinister legends and stories about the Abbaye De Mortemer. One popular story involves sightings of the infamous Black Monks, which are said to appear on dark nights in the abbey’s ruins. 

This is believed to be the ghosts of four monks who were murdered during the French Revolution in 1789 when the churches and abbeys were robbed for their wealth to fund the revolution and the monks were hunted down and dragged to the old cellar were the last brothers of the orders were massacred. 

Other visitors have experienced ghostly apparitions, chills, strange voices, and other forms of supernatural activity. Both the Delarue family that were going to move into the former abbey reported about seeing the monks as well as an English paratrooper in the second world war. 

He said that he was spotted by the enemy and was running around in the forest to hide. A monk came forward and guided him to safety before disappearing. The people at The Resistant Cell the paratrooper found, knew it had to be a monk from the Abbey. 

The Goblin Cat Haunting the Treasure

The haunted abbey is also said to be the home to a certain Goblin cat you can meet in the ruins in the form of a black cat. 

According to the legend, the cat is guarding a certain treasure of the abbey said to be so grand it could restore the abbey to its former glory. 

The She-Werewolf

One of the most famous legends concerning the Abbaye de Mortemer is the story of a werewolf haunting its grounds. According to legend, a cursed woman transformed into a wolf every night and terrorized all who crossed her path. 

This was thought to be a female werewolf known as the Garache in French Folklore with yellow eyes. This is the only tale of a Garache in Normandy apparently, a weird thing perhaps as French Folklore is filled with legends of shape shifting werewolves. 

A man named Roger Saboureau was out poaching in the forest in 1884 when he encountered this werewolf and he shot it dead without hesitation. 

When the Garache died though it returned to its human form and he saw it was his own wife. 

The Demonic Pink Room

In 1863 the building, restored somewhat and made into a family home, was bought by a rich Parisian named M.Delarue. He moved into the place with his wife and two children, but they soon found that it wasn’t without its history. 

One of the most notorious stories revolves around Abbaye De Mortemer’s so-called “Pink Room.” The room is mentioned by some of the owners who experienced so much hauntings it even broke an engagement. 

A young girl who was the fiance of the son, Charles Delarue, the owner of the building and living there came to stay with them once. She was given the pink room as it was the only one available. She was found in the morning, terrified of all the paranormal activity that had happened during the night. She announced she would never live there, broke off the engagement and hurried back to Paris. 

M.Delarue’s daughter had been a nurse during the First World War and told her father she had never been afraid in the trenches and would not be afraid of the pink room either. She made it her own and lived in it, but said that she always felt observed, but not threatened in the same way the former fiance of the family had. 

The Exorcism of the Abbey

The Delarue family stayed in the former abbey for quite some time, but in 1921 they thought it was about time with an exorcism. Not the first one though, and they called once again upon Abbé Humbolt who had done the previous ones also. 

They ordered another exorcism of the Pink Room and the Abbey and it did become quiet for some time. But then it started again. How is it today?

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References

Mortemer Abbey – Wikipedia

Tales and legends – Mortemer Abbey 

The unquiet soul of Abbaye de Mortemer | History, ghosts and ruins

Empress Matilda – Wikipedia 

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The Buried Alive Ghosts of Château de Trécesson in the Enchanted Forest

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Château de Trécesson, the ancient castle in Brittany has more than one ghost haunting the place. Perhaps it’s not too strange to be haunted by the mysterious Dames Blanches when the location of the castle is in an enchanted forest.

Château de Trécesson is an ancient castle tucked away in the French countryside that has been the source of fascination and speculation among locals for centuries. 

The castle in Brittany has a mysterious past and its origin is lost in the mists of time, replete with tales of hauntings and supernatural phenomena, has attracted visitors far and wide hoping to get a glimpse into its paranormal secrets.

History of Château de Trécesson?

Château de Trécesson is an ancient castle situated in the French countryside, and it dates all the way back to 810 AD. The castle is built on the foot of the Buttes de Tiot and has stood for more than two millennia and endured the passing of time, but its rich history and ghostly lore still remain a mystery.

It’s rumored to be haunted by ghosts, and visitors have reported having odd experiences while visiting the castle grounds.

Legends and Ghost stories of Château de Trécesson?

There are many rumors and tales about Château de Trécesson that have been passed down through generations. One of them is of several guests at the castle that have seen a group of ghosts playing cards. Who the winner will be in the eternal game they are playing or what game of cards they have been on for ages are uncertain. 

There is also talk of an unknown monk wandering nearby close to the meadow by the castle and on the roadside leading up to it. He is sometimes described as headless. Perhaps not so surprising as the Château de Trécesson is built in the The Enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, a place of wonder and supernatural in every tree stem.

The Enchanted Forest of Brocéliande

The Castle is close to a part of the mythological forest known as Brocéliande. The real forest connected to this is the The Paimpont Forest. It is located around the village of Paimpont in Brittany. 

It contains the castles Château de Comper and Château de Trécesson as well as the Forges of Paimpont, a national historic site. It has been associated with the forest of Brocéliande and many locations from Arthurian legend, including the Val sans retour, the tomb of Merlin, and the fountain of Barenton as well as The Lady of the Lake. 

Dames Blanches French Folklore

There’s also a long-standing local legend involving the castle’s ‘Dames Blanches’, or ‘White Ladies’. According to folklore, these female ghosts are said to inhabit the castle and torment its inhabitants with misfortune, calamity, and sometimes even death in many stories in French folklore.

This castle has also been said to have one of these Lady’s in white or Dames Blanches in residence from the time the castle was in the hands of Monsieur de Trécesson. 

People tell stories of hearing strange whispers in the walls, feeling cold chills running through the rooms, and seeing shadowy figures of beautiful women in a muddy white dress with a flower crown roaming around in the night air.

It is said it was her brothers who murdered her in 1750 that buried her alive on her wedding day as they felt they had accepted a wedding that dishonored the family. 

The whole event was spotted by a couple of poachers that saw the carriage with the woman was out in the woods and the men started digging the grave they sealed her in before driving away. Why they didn’t have the decency to kill her before burying her is unclear. 

The poachers found the courage to tell the people in the nearby village about it, and they came for her rescue. They were too late and she died, but didn’t really leave. It is said she is seen close to the castle, and floating on the waters still wearing her wedding dress. 

Her name or where she came from was never discovered. 

The Heartbroken Lovers

Another popular tale tells of two lovers being separated due to their families’ objections. The man was forced by his father to go fight in the crusade of 1249. He was killed in battle and his young wife died of grief only a few months after the news reached her. 

The spirit of the two lovers have been spotted replaying their final farewell scene close to the castle’s gateway. 

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References

Brittany’s Most Haunted Castles

The Castle of Trécesson – Tourist Office of Brocéliande (Brittany, France)

Château de Trécesson – Broceliande Castle

Château de Trécesson – Wikipedia