.
Acton Burnell Castle is a historic and allegedly haunted medieval castle situated near a village of Acton Burnell in Shropshire region of United Kingdom. The mansion was built in 1284 Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells, a friend and adviser to King Edward I, build. Its location near the Roman road Watling Street was important at that time. The size of the property is unknown because the building was completely destroyed and remains have not been discovered. But it will have been sufficient to accommodate King Edward I and his followers, soldiers and advisers, but never was a real castle.
Robert Burnell received on January 28, 1284 royal permission to
fortify his manor ("License to crenellate"), which could reach only
reliable people. The building was rectangular and had a tower on
every corner. It was three stories high and contained a knight's
hall, a solarium, sleeping quarters, writing rooms, a chapel, and
kitchens. Robert Burnell also had the nearby St. Mary's Church and
the surrounding village built.
The year before, in the fall of 1283, Edward I had held a
parliamentary assembly in Acton Burnell, presumably in the adjoining
large barn, the only large enough building for it. This gathering is
of great importance to English history, because for the first time
in England, communities were involved in the legislative process.
The law passed there became known as the Statute of Acton Burnell
and provided protection to lenders, indicating the growing
importance of trade at the time.
Acton Burnell Castle is considered to be a haunted medieval stronghold. One of the ghosts that live here is an apparition of an little girl that is dressed in white lace. Her ghostly figure is said to roam ruined Acton Burnell Castle by day as well as night.