The Devil and the Lady

Named after Lady Elizabeth Hatton and some devil dancing
Location: Bleeding Heart Yard, off Greville Street, EC1N 8SJ
Description: Bleeding Heart Yard is a cobbled courtyard off Greville Street in the Farringdon area of Holborn.
Urban legend has it that the courtyard's name commemorates the murder of Lady Elizabeth Hatton, second wife of Sir William Hatton, whose family used to own the area. It is said that her body was found here on 27 January 1626, torn limb from limb, but with her heart still pumping blood.
She was it says seen dancing with a mysterious stranger, said to be the devil!
However, Trey Philpotts of the University of Delaware writes that the courtyard is, in fact, named after a sign dating back to the Reformation that was displayed on a pub called the Bleeding Heart in nearby Charles Street. The sign showed the heart of the Virgin Mary pierced by five swords.
Either way it's one hell of a tale and deserves a visit if nothing else.
A gate at the south of the yard leads to Ely Place.
Tours: London
Themes: Crime


Named after Lady Elizabeth Hatton and some devil dancing |
Ranking This Month: 2539/3049
Pages Hit This Month: 2
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
Robber Claude Duval Caught here», 0.8km
Bomb Plotters Flat», 6.0km
Albion House», 0.8km
Bouncers bounce back at KFC», 2.1km
Handbag Gang Strike Again», 1.7km
Brinks Mat Bullion», 2.8km
Solicitor's Armed Siege», 3.2km
Poor Lazarus Isaacs», 0.9km
Wilfred Brambles arrest was here», 4.9km
Barry George's Flat», 5.2km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»