The Grey Lady of Hampton Court
Multiple ghosts haunt Henry VIII's palace—Jane Seymour carrying a candle, Catherine Howard screaming in the gallery, and Sybil Penn's spinning wheel heard through walls.
Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s magnificent residence, is one of England’s most haunted buildings. Multiple ghosts have been reported over centuries, most famously the Grey Lady—Dame Sybil Penn.
Dame Sybil Penn
According to historical records:
Sybil Penn (died 1562) was:
- Nurse to Prince Edward (later Edward VI)
- Loyal servant to the Tudor royal family
- She contracted smallpox while nursing Elizabeth I
- She died and was buried at Hampton Church
The Haunting Begins
In 1829, her tomb was disturbed:
- Hampton Church was demolished
- Her remains were relocated
- Shortly after, disturbances began at the palace
- The sound of a spinning wheel was heard
Phenomena
Witnesses report:
- The sound of a spinning wheel through walls
- A grey-robed female figure
- Cold spots in specific areas
- When a wall was demolished, an old spinning wheel was found behind it
Other Hampton Court Ghosts
The palace has multiple reported spirits:
Catherine Howard: The fifth wife of Henry VIII, executed for adultery. Her ghost is seen running screaming through the Haunted Gallery, as she did when arrested.
Jane Seymour: Henry’s third wife, who died after childbirth. She’s seen carrying a candle through the Clock Court.
Two Cavaliers: Ghosts from the English Civil War period.
A Ghost Dog: A spectral spaniel has been reported.
CCTV Footage
In 2003, security cameras captured:
- Fire doors flying open
- A robed figure appearing to close them
- The footage was released to the public
- It remains unexplained (though some suggest a hoax)
Modern Investigation
Hampton Court has been investigated by:
- Various paranormal research teams
- TV shows including Most Haunted
- The palace acknowledges its haunted reputation
- Guards report experiences regularly
The Haunted Gallery
The most active location:
- Where Catherine Howard was dragged to her arrest
- Visitors report cold spots
- Some feel overwhelming sadness
- The screaming of Catherine has been heard