Chillingham Castle has seen many wars, deaths and tortures since the 12th century

[Kazimiera]

Believed to be the most horrific place in Europe, the Chillingham Castle has seen many wars, deaths and tortures since the 12th century

Source: http://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/0...-12th-century/



Chillingham Castle is a medieval castle in the village of Chillingham in the northern part of Northumberland, England. At first a 12th century stronghold, Chillingham became a fully fortified Castle in the 14th Century.

It was the seat of the Grey and Bennet families from the 15th century until the 1980s.

A large enclosed park on the castle grounds is home to the Chillingham Cattle, a rare breed, consisting of about 90 head of cattle.


Chillingham Castle.


Castle cottage


Chillingham churchyard

With its strategic location near the coast and the English-Scottish border, this castle played a major role in the bloody war between the English and Scots in the 14th century.

It was used as a staging post for English armies entering Scotland but was also repeatedly attacked and besieged by Scottish armies and raiding parties heading south.

The castle’s grand entrance was built in the 17th century, with its beautiful landscaped park being laid out later by Sir Jeffery de Wyatville, the architect of Windsor Castle, in the early part of the 19th century.


Medieval oxcart


Ancient carriage


Castle doorknocker


Medieval artifacts

Throughout the centuries the architectural detail and massive walls have remained largely unchanged with its same underlying medieval strength and character.


12th-century fireplace detail


Castle dining hall


Cabinet and bones

The torture chamber is one of the most horrific and intriguing places in the castle. There are still many of the torture devices displayed here and most of them are still in perfect working order.

Each of the numerous torture devices used in this room is each more horrific than the last. These include a stretching rack, a bed of nails, a spiked chair, an Iron Maiden, thumb screws, chains, leg irons, cages, man traps and branding irons.


Chair of nails


Medieval rack torture


Mangle used for torturing hands

It is estimated that over 7500 Scots, including men, women and children of all ages were tortured and killed in this dungeon over a three-year period.


Nail boots


Bed of nails


Barrel of nails. The victim would be put in the barrel and the barrel rolled down a hill

In World War II the castle was used as an army barracks, during this time, much of the decorative wood is said to have been stripped out and burned by the soldiers billeted there. After the war, the castle began to fall further into disrepair.


WWII gas-mask for infant

It wasn’t until 1982 that Sir Humphrey Wakefield, whose wife, Lady Mary Tankerville, a descendant of the Grey family, was allowed to take over the decaying ruin… and so began a restoration project.

The castle has survived for over 800 years. Today, Sections of the castle are open to the public for private and public events.

[Kazimiera]

Chillingham Castle in Northumberland: a centuries-old witness of wars, deaths, and tortures

Source: http://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/0...-and-tortures/

It’s easy to see why people binge on horror films or line up for a heart-stopping, rapid-drop amusement-park ride. Turning the scenes of inhuman acts of the past into tourist opportunities is a little less easy to get behind. But it’s undeniable that prisons, castles, dungeons, and even concentration camps can fascinate people as they struggle to understand humanity’s dark side.

Just as horror-film aficionados thrill to a gory scene, the admirers of such places seek out the spine-chilling stories that are hidden within old, weary walls. Castles are at the top of the list.

One of the most frightening places to visit in Europe, Chillingham Castle in England, is a home of disturbing medieval-era history. Situated in the village of Chillingham in the northern part of Northumberland, the castle has existed for almost eight centuries. Over time, it has gone through numerous sieges and hosted many kings, including Henry III in 1255 and Edward I in 1298, as well as Edward, Prince of Wales in 1872, and even members of the present royal family.


Chillingham Castle.

Chillingham Castle’s location on the English-Scottish border is pivotal to its history, since there were tensions and outbreaks of war between the two countries in the medieval period. The ruthless Edward I, known as “the Hammer of the Scots,” used Chillingham as a base of his operation when waging war on the Scots, who were led by “Braveheart” William Wallace for a time. The castle was also vulnerable to the Scottish forces coming south to attack. It was in the middle of the action and much of the action was not pleasant.


Castle cottage

Today, of course, such tensions have completely dissolved. The English castle is hosting an exhibit of “six very collectible” Scottish artist in August 2017.

It was a starkly different story in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Visitors learn that the castle witnessed numerous tortures and deaths, such atrocities forming the identity of Chillingham. One the most frightening places in the castle is the torture chamber. Warriors, spies, soldiers, and various criminals were allegedly tortured. The victims were first put in the torture chamber, a place so dark that almost nothing around is visible, then they would be put on a spiked chair by force without any previous awareness of it. Once seated, the victim was held in the chair by two guards. Other torture devices that can be seen today include the hanging cage, the impalement device, an Iron Maiden, a bed of nails, thumb screws, branding irons, and the rack.


Medieval oxcart

When on the rack, the victims’ hands and ankles were tightly fastened so they couldn’t move. Ankles were tightened on the so-called “roller,” which was continuously rotated as the victim was interrogated. When the rotation intensified, the victim’s joints were literally torn off, causing excruciating physical pain. Some of the castle’s records reportedly reveal some 7,500 Scottish casualties, including women, children, and men who were killed in the Chillingham’s dungeons.


Ancient carriage

One of the visitors of the castle recently wrote that when visiting the executioner’s room, he was finally awakened from his “Wi-Fi induced coma,” as he was stunned by the instruments of death and torture. What a compliment to the castle!
It’s no surprise that Chillingham Castle is regarded as one of the most haunted places in Britain. If one looks closely in the dungeons, centuries-old scratches can be seen on the wall where prisoners desperately marked their days. It is believed that the tortured spirits still wander, demented by their experienced horrors.


Castle doorknocker

According to the ghost stories and legends collected by Richard Jones, author of the book Haunted Castles of Britain and Ireland, the most popular is the “Radiant Boy” or the “Blue Boy,” who is said to be often seen in the so-called Pink Room of the castle. At midnight, his child-like cries of fear and pain can be heard through the halls. According to the legend, as the cries fade away, a bright halo and a figure of a young boy in blue clothes appear before the eyes of the unfortunate.


Chair of nails

Visitors have said they witnessed a flashing blue light coming out of the walls at night. Although some ascribe this to an electrical defect, others say that there was no electrical wiring in the parts where the light was seen.


Medieval rack torture

Regardless of the legitimacy of the ghost tales, they’ve been intriguing enough to attract a number of tourists to participate in the organized nightly walking ghost tours at the castle which unravel the horrors of the past.


Mangle used for torturing hands

In addition, the fortified structure of Chillingham played an important part during World War II, housing many soldiers who used it as army barracks. Some of its decorative wooden elements were said to have been destroyed and burned by the army.


Nail boots

Fortunately, in 1982, the castle was returned to the hands of the Grey family, whose descendant, Lady Mary Tankerville, decided to restore the almost decayed building.


Barrel of nails. The victim would be put in the barrel and the barrel rolled down a hill

Being a real touristic hot spot of northern England, the castle especially captivates its visitors because, during tours, they’re encouraged to touch the artifacts and look through the relics of the owners.


WWII gas mask for infant

For the most adventurous holiday-goers, the castle offers a unique accommodation in the medieval fortress.

One part of the castle, as well as its coach house, have been reconstructed and made into holiday apartments. It would be a unique experience to spend a night there–just make sure you turn a blind eye to the Blue Boy.