Scarborough Castle

The castle is said to be haunted by the headless phantom of Piers Gaveston, the favourite of Edward II.

Edward and Graveston had fled by ship to Scarborough when Thomas Plantagenet, 2nd Earl of Lancaster raised an army and attacked them at Newcastle. Leaving Gaveston in Scarborough with it’s garrison, Edward went south to raise an army. Lancaster then threatened Gaveston at Scarborough, forcing him to surrender to Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, who pledged to protect him. Scarborough Castle WallsGaveston was then captured by in Oxfordshire and taken to Warwick castle where Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick held him until Lancaster would arrive.

Although Gaveston’s corpse was left at Scarborough, he did not die there. On 19 June 1312 Lancaster ordered his execution – he was taken to Blacklow Hill by Leek Wootton, where he was run through with swords by two Welshmen, then beheaded.

Additonal Information: It is said Gaveston’s ghost behaves maliciously, lunging at the living in an attempt to make them fall from the castle walls!

Directions: Castle Road, East of the town centre. The castle is in the care of English Heritage, there is an entry fee.