Page 2 of Chillingham Castle

The windows stared down like eyes, judging us for intruding. I spotted a clock face on one tower, and in the middle, steps led into the building. My fingers itched to get out and explore.

This was real history, right here, nearly a thousand years of it. Yup, my overwhelmed American brain could barely take it in.

Haunt drove around a circular grass lawn and parked up. “I’m unsure where we need to leave the vehicles. Let me find out,” he called. Minutes later, he was back. “There’s a car park we can use.”

As he pulled away, I felt eyes on me. Was someone watching us from those dark windows?

Haunt

It had been two days since we’d left the Mermaid Inn. Usually, we took a week off between locations, but the summons here had been urgent. I knew when somebody was being genuine, and there was concern in the owner’s voice.

We climbed up the ten steps and passed through an arch with two wooden doors. I paused, taking in what stood before me. There was too much to absorb. Three further wings formed a square around the paved courtyard. Facing away from the archway, I noticed a shop on my right. Each wing was filled with windows, giving tantalising glimpses inside.

In front of me was another staircase, leading to the second floor, where two massive doors stood. The entire area was enclosed, creating a slightly claustrophobic impression. It sounded stupid, but I could detect the weight of history bearing down on me here. Chillingham had witnessed much and remained standing. That was a testament to the castle’s strength. Within the courtyard, as the drizzle began, it appeared oppressive, and I felt unwelcome.

The stairs in front of us led to an entrance with the main building behind it. A balcony sat above the doorway with carved stone balustrades.

A woman emerged as the door opened. She had a slight smile of welcome on her face, but wore a worried look.

“Morning! I’m Evie Dyer,” she called.

“I’m Haunt, and this is my team,” I quickly introduced everyone.

“Come in. We’ll speak in the tearooms, this way,” she stated, shutting the door and walking towards us. She headed for the left corner, walked down some steps, and along a corridor to the tearoom.

“This is part of the original castle?” Jack asked.

“Yes, it was the Minstrels’ Hall and kitchen. Here,” Evie said as we entered a cosy room.

A woman looked up. “Hi, Evie,” she called.

“Hey Janice, could you bring those platters out for me, please, and the tea and coffee urns?” She looked back at us. “I hope you haven’t eaten. I’ve had Janice make breakfast sandwiches,” Evie stated, wringing her hands. Her eyes darted about her as if she expected to be jumped.

“That would be great, thank you,” I replied, hoping to soothe her nerves.

“Sorry, I’m not usually like this, but…” Evie broke off as she and Janice swapped glances. “We’ve been closed to the public since yesterday. There was a big incident.”

Janice put the platters down and joined us.

“How about you tell us the history to begin?” Jack asked.

I approved; it was something Evie would know off by heart and would ease her nervousness.

“And do you mind if I record it? Sometimes I miss things when making notes, so the recording is handy to have,” I inquired.

“Yes, that’s fine.” Evie nodded. “So over one hundred ghosts haunt Chillingham Castle, and for good reason. The original building here was a monastery and doubled as the home of the Grey Family in twelve-forty-six. The initial house was destroyed in a Scottish raid in twelve-ninety-six. However, the Greys rebuilt and constructed a new manor. Over the years, generations changed it and added to it, leading to what you see today.”

“It’s beautiful,” Coffee agreed.

“Yes, indeed, it is. Obviously, we’re based in Northumberland, near the Scottish border. Chillingham Castle was important because of its location. It stood on the edge of England and Scotland. Back in twelve-ninety-eight, King Edward stayed here on his way to fight William Wallace. We all know what happened there.”

“Yup, not quite like the film showed, but yes, we’re familiar with the movie version.” Jack laughed.

Evie nodded and continued. “The Scots attacked several times and were fought off. It’s hard to destroy because the walls are ten feet thick. The Grey family kept improving it nonstop until it reached the design we see today. Ford Grey, first Earl of Tankerville, died in seventeen-oh-one without a male heir.

“The estate passed to his son-in-law, Charles Bennet, who had married Ford’s daughter, Lady Mary Grey. Charles was the second Baron Ossulston, but in seventeen-fourteen, he got the title Earl of Tankerville transferred to him. In nineteen-eighty-two, the current owner bought the castle and restored it. His wife had links to the original family, so it was nice to see it return to their hands.”

“Okay, so we’re talking close to a millennium of history,” I stated.