Tamworth Castle is a typical Norman motte and bailey castle thought to date from the 1180's. Unfortunately the Castle was neglected in the 18th century, but between 1783 and 1811 extensive alterations were made. The castle, formally opened to the public in May 1899, is reputedly home to many spirits. The most famed ghosts are known to be the Black Lady and White Lady. The White Lady is said to have been captured and locked in the Tower by the wicked Sir Tarquin. But after a while she fell in love with him and is said to walk the battlements around the castle, weeping over her lover who was slain by Sir Lancelot du Lac, who came to rescue her. The Black Lady is allegedly the ghost of a nun called Editha who founded her order in the 9th century; her nuns were said to have been expelled from a nearby Convent by Robert de Marmion. The nuns angry prayers were said to have called Editha from her grave. In 1139 after a lavish banquet, Marmion was attacked by the ghost of Editha, prophesising that unless the nuns were restored to Polesworth, the Baron would meet an untimely death. Before she vanished the spectre hit the Baron with the point of her crosier; the wound was so terrible that Marmion's cries awoke the whole Castle. His pain only ceased when this vow was taken and the nuns returned to Polesworth.