The great thing about living in London and being into the Paranormal is that the town is so full of good ghost stories.
Over the next few months, I will try to visit as many place as possible, and if I can, get photographs and videos of the encounters.
My first story is of the Bank Nun.
If you visit Bank station, and leave via the exit 3, you will come out near The Bank of England. This is the story.
On November 2nd 1811,
Philip Whitehead, ‘a man of genteel appearance’ who had been employed
in the Cashier’s Office at the Bank of England, was brought to the dock
of the Old Bailey, charged with forgery. Found guilty, he was sentenced
to death and was duly hanged in early 1812. News of his crime and
execution was, however, kept from his devoted sister, Sarah Whitehead,
who was removed by Philip’s friends to a house in Wine Office Court,
off Fleet Street. But one day, Sarah turned up at the Bank of England
to enquire of her brother’s whereabouts, and an unthinking clerk
promptly blurted out the story of Philip’s crime and ignominious death.
The shock of the discovery turned the poor woman’s mind and thereafter
she took to turning up at the Bank everyday asking after her brother in
the belief that he still worked there. She became known as the “Bank
Nun” on account of her peculiar attire that consisted of a long black
dress and a black crepe veil worn over her face and head. The city
merchants took pity on her and never let her pass “without extending
their assistance,” whilst the Directors and clerks of the Bank of
England saw to it that she was frequently provided with “sums of money
in compliment of her misfortune.”
Over the next few months, I will try to visit as many place as possible, and if I can, get photographs and videos of the encounters.
My first story is of the Bank Nun.
If you visit Bank station, and leave via the exit 3, you will come out near The Bank of England. This is the story.
On November 2nd 1811,
Philip Whitehead, ‘a man of genteel appearance’ who had been employed
in the Cashier’s Office at the Bank of England, was brought to the dock
of the Old Bailey, charged with forgery. Found guilty, he was sentenced
to death and was duly hanged in early 1812. News of his crime and
execution was, however, kept from his devoted sister, Sarah Whitehead,
who was removed by Philip’s friends to a house in Wine Office Court,
off Fleet Street. But one day, Sarah turned up at the Bank of England
to enquire of her brother’s whereabouts, and an unthinking clerk
promptly blurted out the story of Philip’s crime and ignominious death.
The shock of the discovery turned the poor woman’s mind and thereafter
she took to turning up at the Bank everyday asking after her brother in
the belief that he still worked there. She became known as the “Bank
Nun” on account of her peculiar attire that consisted of a long black
dress and a black crepe veil worn over her face and head. The city
merchants took pity on her and never let her pass “without extending
their assistance,” whilst the Directors and clerks of the Bank of
England saw to it that she was frequently provided with “sums of money
in compliment of her misfortune.”
But she became convinced that the Bank governors were keeping an immense
fortune from her and this led to her frequently hurling insults at them during
business hours. On one occasion Baron Rothschild was going about his
business at the Stock Exchange when she suddenly appeared and called
him a “villain and a robber” telling him that he had defrauded her of her fortune
and demanding the £2,000 he owed her. He responded by taking half a crown
from his waistcoat pocket, handing it to her and telling her as he did
so “There, then, take that and don’t bother me now; I’ll give you the
other half tomorrow.” Accepting the money, she thanked him and went
away.
fortune from her and this led to her frequently hurling insults at them during
business hours. On one occasion Baron Rothschild was going about his
business at the Stock Exchange when she suddenly appeared and called
him a “villain and a robber” telling him that he had defrauded her of her fortune
and demanding the £2,000 he owed her. He responded by taking half a crown
from his waistcoat pocket, handing it to her and telling her as he did
so “There, then, take that and don’t bother me now; I’ll give you the
other half tomorrow.” Accepting the money, she thanked him and went
away.
By 1818 the Bank governors had grown tired of her daily disturbances
and so gave her a sum of money on condition she agreed never to
return to the bank again. In life she kept that contract, but in death her
wraith has broken it many times. More than one late night wanderer,
wending their weary way home along Threadneedle Street has been
surprised by her ghostly figure appearing before them and, with
downcast eyes enquiring sadly, though politely,
“have you seen my brother?”
I have been here many a time, both on my own and with my parents. We did record some EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) but none of it substantial enough to back up the story. I'm considering returning to Bank sometime soon to try and record or photograph anything new. All of my findings will be posted here.
Keep an eye on the blog.
Miles.
and so gave her a sum of money on condition she agreed never to
return to the bank again. In life she kept that contract, but in death her
wraith has broken it many times. More than one late night wanderer,
wending their weary way home along Threadneedle Street has been
surprised by her ghostly figure appearing before them and, with
downcast eyes enquiring sadly, though politely,
“have you seen my brother?”
I have been here many a time, both on my own and with my parents. We did record some EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) but none of it substantial enough to back up the story. I'm considering returning to Bank sometime soon to try and record or photograph anything new. All of my findings will be posted here.
Keep an eye on the blog.
Miles.
0 comments:
Post a Comment