There’s no real way to go back to the beginning of the history of the ghost. After all, tales of ghosts and monsters go back to some of our earliest writings. Virtually all cultures have some ghostly tales that are used to scare the kids or explain some phenomenon.

History and ghosts go hand in hand. What better setting for a ghost story than a place of tragedy and death? Lost loves, wicked people and murder all play a role in the most famous ghosts. But who are these ghosts? Take a look.

The Legacy of Henry VIII

There are few ghosts more well-known than Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. History tells of the horrible tale of murder by the King of England. Henry VIII had married the lovely Anne but quickly tired of her. As he sought a way to rid himself of his wife, he hatched an evil plan.

According to historical accounts, Henry heard rumors that Anne had been unfaithful with a series of five lovers – one of them her own brother. While being unfaithful wasn’t a crime that Anne could be tried for, it appeared that she and her lovers had also hatched a plot to kill Henry. She and all five men were tried for treason.

The five men were handed down horrific sentences that included burning at the stake, disembowelment, castration and hanging. Anne was beheaded by sword. There are tales of sightings of these six, along with Henry VIII and several of his later wives who also died.

It’s said that Anne still walks Blicking Hall in Norfolk, and can be seen on the anniversary of her death. She’s also said to haunt other places around the United Kingdom as well. Though Anne is notably one of the most famous ghosts, you should note that she has been seldom seen in the recent past.

Lord Byron

Judy Farncomb writes her account of meeting a famous ghost, Lord Byron, at Newstead Abby in Nottingham, England. She notes that he was sexy, even after the centuries since his lifetime, and that he wasn’t haunting the abbey, but there only to comfort his mother. You can read Farncomb’s account at Farncomb.

 Brown Lady of Raynham Hall

The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England, became famous in 1936 when a magazine photographer reportedly saw her coming down the stairs. He snapped a photo that is still open to debate. You can see the picture along with photos of several other famous ghosts at creative spirits and at ghost investigator.

The man in the black hat has been seen in Bath, England. There are several opinions as to who he might be, though no one seems to be certain. He wears period clothing of some two centuries ago and is most often seen around the assembly rooms.

Ill-fated love is the basis for the haunting at Borley Rectory in England. According to legend, a monk and a nun fell in love and planned to elope but were discovered before they could carry out their plan. The monk was hanged and the nun buried alive. She reportedly haunted the building until it burned in 1939. You can see more of this story at Angel Fire.

The Carter House in Franklin, Tennessee, was at the center of a huge Civil War Battle. The Carter family were home and huddled in the basement during the fight. One son who was with the Confederate Army was wounded during the battle. He died in the house a few days later, one of some 8,000 casualties of that battle. You’ll find more information at Prairie Ghosts.

There are several haunted ships but few can compare to the USS Hornet. This aircraft carrier is said to have been the death place of some 300 crewmen, some during combat but others as a result of horrible accidents. See more of this haunted ship at Haunted Bay.

While there are always going to be some famous ghosts that are well-known around the world, the most famous ghosts are arguably in your own backyard. Almost every region in the world has some historical event that leads to the telling of ghost stories. Instead of reading about the famous ghosts of another country, take a walk to your local library or historical society and find the most frightening ghosts of all – those in your neighborhood!

Check Out These 6 Articles About Ghosts: