Warning, this read is not for the faint hearted, caution advised.
In the throes of crafting my novel, “UnHoly Island,” an intriguing tale unfolds right from the outset. One of my central protagonists, Eleanor Thornwood, finds herself dispatched to the rugged North East of England at the behest of none other than King James VI and I himself. Her mission? To uncover the sinister source of malevolence permeating the region’s very air.
Eleanor assumes the mantle of Chief Witch Hunter within the narrative, wielding her expertise and determination to unearth the darkness plaguing the land. Her pursuit leads her to a notorious bastion of malevolence and evil: Chillingham Castle, a place steeped in murder, death and sacrifice.
Researching this castle has led me to many new learnings, and I wanted to share them with you so that they may one day inspire you to visit this lovely part of the world I’m blessed to live in, Northumberland.
Chillingham Castle, a fortress that traces its roots back to the 12th century, holds a strategic position near Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island (Lindisfarne). From its vantage point, the Cheviot hills are a constant reminder of the castle’s turbulent past, where many a Scotsman met their fate in the torture chambers and dungeons. The castle, a witness…