The Blind Beggar - Historic Pub in London
Posted: April 9, 2024 | Tagged: United Kingdom
Always up for something different, I backpacked one of the most famous pubs in London, The Blind Beggar, on Whitechapel Road.
Last year, I backpacked the Cart and Horses in Stratford
The Cart and Horses is considered to be the Birthplace of Iron Maiden, the legendary British heavy metal band. It's where they first gigged.
I used to be a big fan of them back in the 80s when Bruce Dickinson joined them and produced epic songs such as Run to the Hills and Number of the Beast and their 2nd album, Killers is perhaps one of my favourite albums.
I was happy to sit at the bar and drink a couple of Trooper Beers.
Months later I sat in the Piano Bar of the Europa Hotel in Belfast, the most bombed hotel in Europe, if not the world.
With my backpack at my feet, I sipped tea and wrote up my notes.
So how 'bout one of the most notorious pubs in London?
The Cart and Horses is considered to be the Birthplace of Iron Maiden, the legendary British heavy metal band. It's where they first gigged.
I used to be a big fan of them back in the 80s when Bruce Dickinson joined them and produced epic songs such as Run to the Hills and Number of the Beast and their 2nd album, Killers is perhaps one of my favourite albums.
I was happy to sit at the bar and drink a couple of Trooper Beers.
Months later I sat in the Piano Bar of the Europa Hotel in Belfast, the most bombed hotel in Europe, if not the world.
With my backpack at my feet, I sipped tea and wrote up my notes.
So how 'bout one of the most notorious pubs in London?
I was definitely up for a visit to The Blind Beggar on Whitechapel Road in East London.
So having backpacked Bethnal Green in the morning, (my Grandmother was born on Tyrell Street, which ran parallel to Bethnal Green Road, near St. Matthews and was one of the biggest slums in London in the early 1900s), I walked the short distance to Whitechapel.
So having backpacked Bethnal Green in the morning, (my Grandmother was born on Tyrell Street, which ran parallel to Bethnal Green Road, near St. Matthews and was one of the biggest slums in London in the early 1900s), I walked the short distance to Whitechapel.
The Legend of Henry de Monfort
The pub was built in 1894 on the site of an inn which had been established before 1654 and takes its name from the legend of Henry de Montfort.
In The Legend Of The Blind Beggar, Henry de Montfort was wounded and lost his sight in the Battle of Evesham in 1265. Nursed to health by a baroness, he later became the "Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green" as he used to beg at the crossroads.
In The Legend Of The Blind Beggar, Henry de Montfort was wounded and lost his sight in the Battle of Evesham in 1265. Nursed to health by a baroness, he later became the "Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green" as he used to beg at the crossroads.
William Booth and the Salvation Army
William Booth, along with his wife, Catherine founded The Salvation Army and preached his first sermon outside the Beggar.
There is a bust of William Booth on Whitechapel Road just along from the Blind Beggar:
There is a bust of William Booth on Whitechapel Road just along from the Blind Beggar:
Bulldog Wallace
In 1904, ‘Bulldog’ Wallace, a member of The Blind Beggar Gang of pickpockets who frequented the pub, stabbed another man in the eye with an umbrella.
Ronnie Kray and the murder of Georgie Cornell
Ronnie Kray, along with his brother Reggie, were London's most feared gangsters during the 1950s and 60s. They specialised in armed robberies, arson, protection rackets, assaults, and murder.
On 9 March 1966, Georgie Cornell and his friend Albie Woods sat in Blind Beggar pub, with a few beers.
At around 8:30 pm, in walked Ronnie Kray and his associate, Ian Barrie.
Upon seeing him, Cornell smiled and said sardonically, "Well, just look who's here".
Barrie fired two shots into the ceiling, as a warning to the barmaid while Ronnie Kray walked towards Cornell and shot him in the forehead with a Luger 9mm.
Ronnie Kray was later sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in Broadmoor in 1995.
On 9 March 1966, Georgie Cornell and his friend Albie Woods sat in Blind Beggar pub, with a few beers.
At around 8:30 pm, in walked Ronnie Kray and his associate, Ian Barrie.
Upon seeing him, Cornell smiled and said sardonically, "Well, just look who's here".
Barrie fired two shots into the ceiling, as a warning to the barmaid while Ronnie Kray walked towards Cornell and shot him in the forehead with a Luger 9mm.
Ronnie Kray was later sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in Broadmoor in 1995.
The Blind Beggar:
The Blind Beggar
337 Whitechapel Road
London E1 1BU
337 Whitechapel Road
London E1 1BU
Read more about the Blind Beggar Pub on their website.
Enjoying a few pints of Beggars Belief at the Blind Beggar:
Enjoying a few pints of Beggars Belief at the Blind Beggar:
