The King, the Toad and the Witch: the dark history of Berkeley Castle

Discover the chilling history of Berkeley Castle, where tales of witchcraft, regicide, and haunting legends abound. Explore the Welsh Marches and uncover secrets of King Edward II’s brutal murder.
From the breathtaking beauty of the Welsh Marches to the eerie legends that haunt its halls, Berkeley Castle has stories that are as dark as they are intriguing. This video takes you on a journey through time, revealing the secrets and supernatural tales that lurk behind its grand facade.
In this video, you'll discover:
- The historic origins and history of Berkeley Castle, built in 1067 and rebuilt in 1153 by Robert FitzHarding.
- The haunting tale of King Edward II, who met a brutal end within the castle walls, and the chilling echoes of his screams said to still be heard today.
- The legend of the monstrous toad found in the castle's cess pit, a creature supposedly nurtured by the flesh and garbage thrown into the dungeon.
- The terrifying story of the Berkeley Witch, a woman whose body was dragged from the church by a devil, as recorded by William of Malmesbury in 1063.
Join us as we uncover the hidden history of Berkeley, from whispers of witchcraft to tales of torture and regicide. Marvel at the beauty of the castle and its surroundings while delving into the dark and eerie chapters of its past.
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If you enjoyed this video, please like, share, and leave a comment below. What other historical mysteries would you like me to explore?
#BerkeleyCastle #HauntedHistory #Witchcraft #MedievalHistory #GhostStories #KingEdwardII #HistoricalTales #HauntingLegends #UKHistory #supernatural
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00:00 Intro
01:15 History of Berkeley Castle
02:17 Edward II - imprisonment and murder
04:50 The toad in the dungeon
06:50 The tale of the Witch of Berkeley
09:43 The enchanting beauty of Berkeley Castle
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Recommended reading and product links:
These are the books that I use when researching my episodes. The Amazon links below may earn me a small commission, without impacting the price you pay for them. Please consider supporting the channel by making your purchase through these links. Thank you!
Haunted England: The Penguin Book of Ghosts by Westwood & Simpson
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The Lore of the Land: A Guide to England's Legends by Westwood & Simpson
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The English Year by Steve Roud
amzn.to/3QSy69n
These are the items I use to create videos for the channel:
My camera: Canon EOS 80D
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My laptop: HP Intel core i3 15.6" 16:9
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Gimbal: DJI RS 3 Mini
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Credits:
Some footage courtesy of videvo.net
Original music composed by Stephen Anthony, Copyright © 2024, All Rights Reserved, used with permission.

[@m.y.o.b.724]

Great video and history lesson of a beautiful castle with a dark history. Thanks for taking us on a tour

[@Hidden_Realms]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it! ☺️

[@carolescutt2257]

😊 liked before listening just knew it would be top upload ❤❤

[@Hidden_Realms]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it! ☺️

[@nanceeM1313]

Thank you, very nice💜

[@Hidden_Realms]

You're welcome 😊

[@brucesharpe1079]

Thanks Hidden realms an interesting Story and Castle a very haunted place you could write a book on these stories thanks 😀👍🏻

[@Hidden_Realms]

Maybe one day! 😊

[@nanceeM1313]

Hey Brucie 💜💜💜
Good to see you here too!
Cheers~ 4:24am🙄

[@brucesharpe1079]

@@nanceeM1313 Hello Nancy Lovely are you a history Buff as well I’ve all way had an interest in History mainly Military History have a good Monday take care Brucie its 9 . 30 AM over here 🌷😘👋🏼

[@nanceeM1313]

@@brucesharpe1079
Hi Bruce @ 9:32 pm
Yes I love History, also enjoy military history. I like Mark Felton, his books also Ancient history. Take care, ttylater🙄

[@brucesharpe1079]

@nanceeM1313 Hi Nancy the history Books I Like are men-at-arms Books they go from ancient to modern Day I have an interest in Romens and vikings the 1and 2 world war the English and American civil war I was in a reanacment group of the English civil war I learned a bit about history as well hope your keeping OK Brucie 😘👋