Madelyn

If you know anything about Tudor history, you are probably aware of the story where Katherine Howard runs down the corridors screaming for mercy from Henry VIII. One popular depiction of this event can be seen in The Tudors Season 4, Episode 5, titled “Bottom of the Pot.” Where Katherine is played by Tamzin Merchant.

A quick Google search of the story will tell you that when Katherine Howard realized the danger she was in, she escaped her guards and ran down the corridor screaming for mercy from Henry, who was in the nearby chapel attending Mass. However, she was caught and taken back before she could reach him, and that was the last time she ever saw Henry. According to legend, her ghost now haunts that gallery.

(Here are photos of the nearby chapel taken by me)

This story has been told countless of times that at Hampton Court Palace, the corridor has officially become known as “The Haunted Gallery.” It is said that at times a woman dressed in all white can be seen running down the hallway in distress, but when she reaches the end of the corridor, she turns around in shock and disbelief before shrieking in fear.

But what evidence is there for this story? Is it true, or is it simply one of the many tales about the Tudor era created by the Victorians?

Many historians and biographers of Katherine Howard are deeply skeptical of this event. One example is Antonia Fraser, who states that “the original incident is unconfirmed” and argues that “a reconstruction of the first floor of the Tudor palace shows that Queen Katherine Howard could not have reached the Chapel from her own apartment in this manner.”

Another example is David Starkey. In his biography of all of Henry VIII’s six wives, he states: “There was no time for hysterics or for her last, desperate attempt to see him in the chapel gallery. Indeed, when her husband left the palace, she was aware neither of his departure nor that anything was wrong.”

Not to mention this whole event wasn’t ever written about until 1881 by Ernest Law. If the Queen of England was running, screaming, and crying for mercy from the king whilst hundreds of court residents were watching wouldn’t this whole event be national scandal?

So, considering the geographical layout of the palace and the timeline of events, it is very likely that this story is not historically accurate.

However, there are still many visitors who claim to feel a strange energy or experience chills while visiting the gallery. But, when someone has been given information beforehand that a place is haunted, they may be more likely to perceive something unusual. For example, if someone near you says, “I feel something strange over here,” you may become more likely to feel something as well. This is known as behavioral contagion.

My Personal Experience

I visited Hampton Court Palace in March, and personally in the Haunted Gallery I did not feel or see anything unusual. However, I absolutely loved visiting Hampton Court Palace, and I highly recommend it if you ever have the opportunity to go. <3

Here are some photographs of mine!

Cites:

Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII by David Starky

The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser

We know what happened to Anne Boleyn. But what became of the ladies who watched their queen walk to her execution?

Well the answer to that question was different for each of the women. It could’ve been the beginning of something amazing or very tragic.

Anne Gainsford, Lady Zouche -

Anne Gainsford became a lady in waiting to Queen Anne in January of 1533. After Queen Anne was executed she went on to serve Jane Seymour after the fall of Anne Boleyn. She then married Sir George Zouche, ultimately settling at Codnor Castle in Derbyshire, and passed away before July 16, 1548.

Elizabeth (Bess) Holland -

After Anne Boleyn’s death in 1536 Bess then went on to serve Jane Seymour and was one of the ladies in Jane’s funeral procession.

Margery Horsman -

Margery went on to serve Jane Seymour and in 1537 she married Sir Michael Lyster and became Keeper of the Queen’s Jewels jointly with him

Parker (Jane Boleyn) -

A portrait thought to have been Jane Parker but most likely her sister-in-law

Before serving Anne Boleyn Jane Parker served served Catherine of Aragon for thirteen years.

Jane is often accused of being a main factor in the downfall of her husband and sister in law. But we do not know what Jane said to Cromwell in her interrogation, “apart from the fact that she spoke of Anne And George’s indiscretion in discussing Henry VIII’s sexual inadequacies”

Jane would go on to serve three more of Henry’s wives. Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, and Katherine Howard. Six years later in 1542 Jane Parker would tragically be executed at the Tower of London along side Katherine Howard for supposedly being an accomplice to Katherine Howard by helping arrange late night meet up between Katherine Howard and Thomas Culpepper. But personally I am deeply skeptical of this. It is said that on the third day of her imprisonment Jane went mad in the Tower of London during her imprisonment and suffered multiple mental breakdowns. But many historians believe she may have faked it or deeply exaggerated the madness. Regardless of whether or not if it was true Henry ultimately changed the law to where he could execute anyone regardless of the mental well being.

Mary Shelton -

Mary was the daughter of Sir John and Lady Anne Shelton and cousin of Anne Boleyn. It is unclear whether she of Margaret Shelton was the mistress of Henry VIII because “Marg” and “Mary” look very similar in Tudor era handwriting so we don’t know.

After Anne’s downfall Mary helped write many poems in the famous book called the Devonshire Manuscript. Mary’s date of death is unknown but she was buried on the 8th of January 1871.

Elizabeth Somerset/Elizabeth Browne, Countess of Worcester -

Elizabeth Browne daughter of Sir Anthony Browne, became a lady-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn by the early 1530s. And had to honor to stand next to Anne at her coronation dinner “ready to hold a fine cloth in front of Anne’s face whenever she wanted to spit.”

It is said that the Boleyn’s tragic fait sprang from a harmless comment from Elizabeth. The comment was made in response to her brother Anthony Browne, scolding her for her own “questionable” behavior with men.

It is said that Elizabeth replied sharply that the Queen herself led a far more promiscuous life than she led on.

It is reported that later on Elizabeth testified against the Queen.

But it is thought that Elizabeth and the Queen were actually very good friends. It is even said that Anne lent the Countess £100. Even in the Tower Anne spoke fondly of Elizabeth, who was pregnant at the time. Queen Anne even expressed concern for the countess, and her unborn child

Later that year Elizabeth gave birth to the baby girl and named her daughter Anne.

Cites:

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol6/no1/pp406-425