Perhaps the most intriguing story in London is right here at The Blind Beggar. This pub stands on Whitechapel Road. It marks a spot steeped in history and legend. The Blind Beggar is more than just a pub. It’s a landmark with tales of nobility, murder, and salvation.
The Blind Beggar’s name comes from the ballad “The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green.” Legend says Henry de Montfort was wounded and blinded in battle. Nursed back to health, he had a child and became a beggar. He begged here at these crossroads. This tale of a nobleman turned beggar became popular. It even appeared on Bethnal Green’s seal.
In 1865, William Booth preached his first sermon just outside The Blind Beggar. This led to the creation of the Salvation Army. Booth’s statue stands nearby. It commemorates this pivotal moment. The Blind Beggar is a common tourist attraction for Salvationists. They come to see where it all began.
The Blind Beggar also has a dark side. On March 9, 1966, Ronnie Kray murdered George Cornell here. Cornell was sitting at the bar. Kray walked in and shot him in the forehead. This act cemented The Blind Beggar’s place in gangster history. The murder took place in the saloon bar. Kray was later sentenced to life in prison.
Before this dark chapter, The Blind Beggar played another role. It was the brewery tap for Manns Albion brewery. The first modern brown ale was brewed here. In 1808, the landlord of The Blind Beggar bought the brewery next door. It grew to be one of the largest in Britain.
The Blind Beggar has seen many changes. It was rebuilt in 1894 on the site of an older inn. This inn had been here since before 1654. The pub was even frequented by Harry Redknapp. Bobby Moore once owned it. Today, The Blind Beggar remains a popular spot. It is a starting point for the Monopoly pub crawl.
Even a member of The Blind Beggar Gang committed crimes here. In 1904, ‘Bulldog’ Wallace stabbed a man in the eye with an umbrella. The Blind Beggar is a place where stories intertwine. It is a place of legend and history.
As you stand here outside The Blind Beggar, consider its layers. From noble beggars to gangster violence, The Blind Beggar has seen it all. The Blind Beggar is a reminder of London’s rich past. It continues to capture the imagination.