The original Manor House on the Blickling Estate no longer exists, but on its site is the magnificent Jacobean Blickling Hall. All of the ghosts we will visit were residents of the original manor house, but that doesnt stop them being seen in and around the newer Blickling Hall.
The spirit of Fastolf
Sir John Fastolf (6 November 1380 – 5 November 1459) is probably best known for being the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Falstaff, which in itself is a travesty! Sir John was a Knight and member of The Most Noble Order of the Garter - the most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system.
From 1415 to 1439, he was in northern France, where he served under Henry V and the king’s brother during the Hundred Years’ War.
Sir John was a former owner of the Blickling Estate and his ghost has been seen numerous times wandering the grounds.
Ghost of Sir Thomas
Sir Geoffrey Boleyn bought the estate from Sir John Fastolf in 1452 and its his son Sir Thomas Boleyn (Father of Anne Boleyn) who is said to still haunt the surrounding area as well as the Hall and grounds of Blickling Estate.
Famously his daughter Anne and son, George Boleyn, were executed for high treason, incest and adultery.
Thomas Boleyn died in 1539 and legend has it that as penance, for the untimely deaths of two of his children, he must cross 12 bridges before cockcrow on 19th May. With his ghostly coach of headless horses, he starts at Blickling and crosses bridges at Aylsham, Belaugh, Burg, Buxton, Coltishall, Hautbois, Meyton, Oxnead and Wroxham.
The Headless Ghost of Anne Boleyn
Blickling’s most famous ghost is that of Anne Boleyn.
It was Anne’s Sister Mary who first caught the eye of King Henry VIII but it was only a matter of time before the King’s attention turned to the younger Anne.
Anne became Queen of England in 1533. Their marriage had the appearance of a happy one but Anne’s forthright nature and failure to produce a male heir put increasing strain on their relationship. At this time Henry began paying court to Jane Seymour, gifting her a locket that contained the Kings picture. It is thought that the stain of witnessing the Kings behaviour with Jane is what caused her to have yet another Miscarriage which in turn caused her fall from favour with the King.
Anne’s execution was ordered based of false allegations that included treason, incest and adultery with four other men. Her sentence was carried out on 19th May 1536.
Now her headless ghost is said to return every year on 19 May, the anniversary of her execution.
As night falls, Anne Boleyn’s ghost rides up to the house, in a coach drawn by a headless horseman, with her own head on her lap. The moment the coach arrives in front of the house it vanishes into thin air.
Blickling Estate is owned by the Nation trust and is open to visitors - See The National Trust Website for details.
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