The Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel is famously the place where gangster Ronnie Kray shot rival George Cornell in 1966. This violent encounter has forever linked the pub to East London’s criminal history. Cornell and a friend were drinking when Kray and his associate entered.
Kray calmly approached and shot Cornell in the forehead, later leading to a life sentence that kept Kray behind bars until his death in 1995. However, the pub’s name is rooted in a much older tale - the medieval legend of "The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green." The story centres on Henry de Montfort, a nobleman who was wounded and blinded in the Battle of Evesham in 1265.
READ MORE: 'I went fossil hunting in South London woods where you can turn up and dig for shark teeth' The legend claims that after his injury, de Montfort became a beggar at the crossroads of Bethnal Green, rejecting his noble background. He chose this life to test potential suitors for his daughter, Bessy, ensuring they loved her sincerely. Bessy, known for her beauty and kindness, attracted many wealthy suitors.
However, most turned away upon meeting her “blind beggar” father, preferring status over true affection. One knight remained undeterred, admiring Bessy despite her humble appearance and family. He asked for her hand, proving his love was genuine and unaware of the hidden wealth in her family.
The couple’s love story became a Tudor-era legend, inspiring ballads and songs. The Blind Beggar name and image later became an .
