For the love of History....or Ghosts

History has always fascinated me, especially England’s history. Yes, I know the story behind India being raided and conquered and for the lack of a better word, used by the Brits. I’m sure that my first statement alone would be considered as treason in some parts of India. But, hey I’m being honest here. That should account for something, right?

I think my love for this subject has more to do with the country’s seaside castles, its inhabitants and their rich stories more than the mere remembrance of dates and locations of wars and beheadings. Even their stories of ghost sightings are reason enough to fall in love with the land. Granted India has her fair share of ghosts and America even has a date to honor her ghosts (and goblins). But there is something about a British ghost that leaves you in awe. Even being dead for centuries does not create a dent in their nobility.

Are all castles in England haunted? Well, from the stories I’ve read, yep – they are! Although, I do have my doubts on this. Yes, I do believe in the supernatural but how do explain the fact that all of these castles are inhabited with such spirits? Here’s my theory….long ago a particular Lord of one of the castles was having a dull day, you know – no neighboring castles to raid, no pilfering of local villages – just a humdrum kind of day. Now this Lord always wanted to become a story teller but since he was so high up on the totem pole it would be frowned upon if he ever let his deep desire be known. So, he had to resort to telling these stories to his pet dog (All Lords have a dog. Don’t ask me why, but they do). So, one day as the Master was telling his pet terrier a ghost story, one of the fools (court jester, if you will) walked by and stopped to listen in part of the tale. Now this jester was a little on the odd side.…as most of them are….and only overheard the Lord saying, “…as the ghost wanders the halls at night and….”, AND the jester had enough!! Down the turret stairs he ran and told the page boy, who revealed it to the cook, who confessed it to the priest, who informed the knight, who whispered it into the ear of a milkmaid, who had the gift of gab and hence blessed the whole countryside with the idea that the Lord’s castle had a ghost. Now, this was a slap in the face for the other Lords and Dukes, you see. “How hath this simpleton of a Lord have ghosts and not I? Tis’ I who hath more seniority does he.” These were some of the thoughts that ran through their Elizabethan minds. Well, as the story goes, these guys all got together and started telling their friends and families about the apparitions that they have seen floating around within their fortresses. Since these Lords and Dukes had the power to behead people at will, I don’t think they came up against any opposition. As the centuries went on, and the hierarchy crumbled, commoners started with their ghost stories. And there you have it ladies and gentlemen; this is the story of how England got her abundance of ghosts. Ok, so maybe its not accurate….but it was still a good story ;)

So you see, history can be fun and spiritual….(yes, pun intended)!