Berry Pomeroy Castle - Devon
After Duke William of Normandy defeated the Saxon King Harold in the battle of Hastings in 1066, he gave land to many of the nobles who helped him gain control of England. One of those nobles was Ralf de Pomaria from La Pommeraye near Falaise, one of William's most trusted knights. The Saxon’s rose up against William the Conqueror but they were defeated when his nobles stopped the rebellion so he could still claim the crown. William was crowned King of England on Christmas day on that same year.
Ralf de Pomaria was given the manor of Berry in Devon and his descendants remained there until 1547 when the land was sold to Edward Seymour. |
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Berry Pomeroy is 20 miles south of the city of Exeter and 2 miles East from the town of Totnes, where stood Totnes Castle, the head of the Feudal Barony of Totnes. The Feudal Barony of Totnes was one of 8 Feudal Baronies in Devon, one of the them was Berry Pomeroy. There was no record of a castle until 1496 where Elizabeth, the widow of Richard Pomeroy was assigned a third of the castle and its capital. The document mentions two different sites, the castle and another house which is thought to be on the site of Berry House in the nearby village. The castle had a dry moat, statehouse with ramparts, surrounded by a wall which would have had buildings attached to them on the inside for various work positions and it replaced a previous wooden structure.
Edward Seymour, the 1st Duke of Somerset bought the land in 1547 but after his execution for treason at Tower Hill on 22nd of January 1552, the castle was left to his heir who made plans to renovate the castle into an exceptionally grand house and work started in 1560. Around 1600 one of Edwards descendant’s decided to extend the property but it was never completed and was left abandoned.
In the 18th century the ruined castle became popular tourist attraction, well known for its picturesque views. The Seymour family had work done to the castle to make some of the walls safe as the the castle had been in ruin for around a hundred years. A huge archaeological excavation was performed between 1980 to 1996 which clarified its history and age.
Today the grade 1 castle is still owned by the Descendants of Edward Seymour, the 19th Duke of Somerset, John Seymour but the property is administered by English Heritage.
In the 12th century, the barons of Pomeroy were very powerful and were on the side of Prince John when he went against his brother, Richard I, the Lionheart. When news arrived that Richard had returned from the crusades, the barons ordered that their horses were to be blindfolded, the soldiers dress in full armour and ride into the moat to meet a gruesome ending. The ghosts of horses, mounted by soldiers have been seen many times riding though the castle grounds and some very interesting photographs have been taken in recent years showing the misty shape of a horse.
The ghosts of two women have been seen in and around the castle, one wearing a blue dress, the other in white. These are believed to be the earthbound spirits of two sisters who, Margaret and Eleanor Pomeroy, daughters of one of the great Pomeroy Barons. While their father was away fighting in a war, they were left at the castle and both had fallen in love with the same man. Eleanor was very jealous of Margaret as she believed that she was much more beautiful and so she plotted her murder. They were never allowed into the dungeons when their father was around so Eleanor asked Margaret to accompany her to go and see them. As they approached, Margaret innocently walked in and Eleanor slammed the door shut and locked her in. Even though she could hear Margaret crying and screaming, she ignored her and walked away. One account tells that she was left to starve to death and another account says that she was held for 19 years before she died. The tower above where the dungeon lies now known as Margeret’s tower, in tribute to this sad turn of events. Dogs and children are known to not go near the tower to this day, she’s the figure that is dressed in a white gown with flowing golden hair.
The following extract is from a book called ‘Haunted Homes and Family Traditions of Great Britain’ by John Ingram from 1897 which is available online in the public domain:
Somewhat more than a century ago, Dr. Walter Farquhar, who was created a baronet in 1796, made a temporary sojourn in Torquay. This physician was quite a young man at that time and had not acquired the reputation which, after his settlement in London, procured him the confidence and even friendship of royalty.
One day, during his stay in Devon, he was summoned professionally to Berry Pomeroy Castle, a portion of which building was still occupied by a steward and his wife.
The latter was seriously ill, and it was to see her that he had been called in. Previous to seeing his patient Dr. Farquhar was shown into an outer apartment and requested to remain there until she was prepared to see him. This apartment was large and ill -proportioned; around it ran richly -carved panels of oak that age had changed to the hue of ebony. The only light in the room was admitted through the chequered panes of a gorgeously-stained window, in which were emblazoned the arms of the former lords of Berry Pomeroy. In one corner, to the right of the wide fire- place, says the narrative attributed to the doctor, was a flight of dark oaken steps, forming part of a staircase leading apparently to some chamber above; and on these stairs the fading gleams of summer's twilight shone through.
While Dr. Farquhar wondered, and, if the truth be told, chafed at the delay which had been interposed between him and his patient, the door opened, and a female somewhat richly dressed entered the apartment.
He, supposing her to be one of the family, advanced to meet her. Unheeding him she crossed the room with a hurried step, wringing her hands, and exhibiting by her motions the deepest distress. When she reached the foot of the stairs, she paused for an instant, and then began to ascend them with the same hasty step and agitated demeanour. As she reached the highest stair the light fell strongly on her features, and displayed a countenance, youthful, indeed, and beautiful, but in which vice and despair strove for mastery. “ If ever human face," to use the doctor's own words, " exhibited agony and remorse; if ever eye, that index of the soul, portrayed anguish uncheered by hope, and suffering without interval; if ever features betrayed that within the wearer's bosom there dwelt a hell, those features and that being were then present to me.”
But on the following morning, when he repeated his visit , and found the sufferer materially better, he communicated what he had witnessed to the husband, and expressed a wish for some explanation. The steward's countenance fell during the physician's narrative, and at its close he mournfully ejaculated:
“ My poor wife! my poor wife! ”
Why, how does this relation affect her? "
"Much, much! ” replied the steward, vehemently. “ That it should have come to this! I cannot – cannot lose her! You know not, ” he continued in a milder tone, “ the strange, sad history ; and—and his lordship is extremely averse to any allusion being ever made to the circumstance, or any importance attached to it; but I must and will out with it! The figure which you saw is supposed to represent the daughter of a former baron of Berry Pomeroy, who bore a child to her own father. In that chamber above us the fruit of their incestuous intercourse was strangled by its guilty mother; and whenever death is about to visit the inmates of the castle she is seen wending her way to the scene of her crimes with the frenzied gestures you describe. The day my son was drowned she was observed; and now my wife! ”
“ My poor wife! my poor wife! ”
Why, how does this relation affect her? "
"Much, much! ” replied the steward, vehemently. “ That it should have come to this! I cannot – cannot lose her! You know not, ” he continued in a milder tone, “ the strange, sad history ; and—and his lordship is extremely averse to any allusion being ever made to the circumstance, or any importance attached to it; but I must and will out with it! The figure which you saw is supposed to represent the daughter of a former baron of Berry Pomeroy, who bore a child to her own father. In that chamber above us the fruit of their incestuous intercourse was strangled by its guilty mother; and whenever death is about to visit the inmates of the castle she is seen wending her way to the scene of her crimes with the frenzied gestures you describe. The day my son was drowned she was observed; and now my wife! ”
“I assure you she is better. The most alarming symptoms have given way, and all immediate danger is at an end."
“I have lived in and near the castle thirty years,” was the steward's desponding reply, “and never knew the omen fail.”
“Arguments on omens are absurd," said the doctor, rising to take his leave. “A few days, however, will, I trust, verify my prognostics, and see Mrs. S— recovered.” They parted mutually dissatisfied. The lady died at noon.
“I have lived in and near the castle thirty years,” was the steward's desponding reply, “and never knew the omen fail.”
“Arguments on omens are absurd," said the doctor, rising to take his leave. “A few days, however, will, I trust, verify my prognostics, and see Mrs. S— recovered.” They parted mutually dissatisfied. The lady died at noon.
Many years intervened and brought with them many changes. The doctor rose rapidly and deservedly into repute; became the favourite physician and ever personal friend of the Prince Regent, was created a baronet, and ranked among the highest authorities in the medical world.
When he was at the zenith of his professional career, a lady called on him to consult him about her sister, whom she described as sinking, overcome, and heart broken, by a supernatural appearance.
"I am aware of the apparent absurdity of the details which I am about to give, "she began, “ but the case will be unintelligible to you, Sir Walter, without them .
"I am aware of the apparent absurdity of the details which I am about to give, "she began, “ but the case will be unintelligible to you, Sir Walter, without them .
While residing at Torquay last summer, we drove over one morning to visit the splendid remains of Berry Pomeroy Castle. The steward was very ill at the time (he died, in fact, while we were going over the ruins), and there was some difficulty in getting the keys. While my brother and I went in search of them, my sister was left alone for a few moments in a large room on the ground - floor; and while there — most absurd fancy!
She has persuaded herself she saw a female enter and pass her in a state of indescribable distress. This spectre, I suppose I must call her, horribly alarmed her. Its features and gestures have made an impression, she says, which no time can efface. I am well aware of what you will say, that nothing can possibly be more preposterous. We have tried to rally her out of it, but the more heartily we laugh at her folly, the more agitated and excited does she become. In fact, I fear we have aggravated her disorder by the scorn with which we have treated it. For my own part, I am satisfied her impressions are erroneous, and arise entirely from a depraved state of the bodily organs. We wish for your opinion; and are most anxious you should visit her without delay."
"Madam, I will make a point of seeing your sister immediately; but it is no delusion. This I think it proper to state most positively, and previous to any interview. I, myself, saw the same figure, under some what similar circumstances, and about the same hour of the day; and I should decidedly oppose any raillery or incredulity being expressed on the subject in your sister's presence."
Sir Walter saw the young lady next day, and after being for a short time under his care she recovered.
Our authority for the above account of how Berry Pomeroy Castle is haunted, derived it from Sir Walter Farquhar, who was even more noted for his probity and veracity than for his professional attainments, high as they were rated. The story has been told as nearly as possible in Sir Walter's own words.
Our authority for the above account of how Berry Pomeroy Castle is haunted, derived it from Sir Walter Farquhar, who was even more noted for his probity and veracity than for his professional attainments, high as they were rated. The story has been told as nearly as possible in Sir Walter's own words.
Eleanor is believed to be the lady dressed in a blue dress who is said to lure people’s to the tower, if they go to the tower, she'll make them fall to their death.