The Ten Bells Pub
Article and photographs submitted by John Smithkey III.
On the corner of Commercial Street and Fournier Street in Spitalfields stands
perhaps the most famous pub in Ripper history. The Ten Bells Pub has been
standing since at least 1752 (Begg, Fido & Skinner, 1996). The pub has
undergone one name change. From 1976 to 1988, it was known as "The Jack
the Ripper". Since 1988 it was given its original name of "The Ten
Bells".
Although the exterior of the building has been rebuilt (Begg et al, 1996),
the interior remains much the same as it did since the days of Jack the
Ripper. As you enter the Ten Bells, you are indeed stepping back in time to
the days of the Autumn of Terror. The back wall of the pub has a beautiful
tile picture "Spitalfields in the Olden Time". This must be seen
in person to really appreciate. The color photo doesn't do it justice.
On the wall opposite the bar is a giant sign listing the victims of Jack the
Ripper. Although it is generally accepted by most ripperologists that Jack
the Ripper murdered only 5 victims, the large sign shows six, with Martha
Tabram being named first. This was based on the theory that the murders were
based on black magic. Five mutilated victims were needed for the black magic
theory to work. Elizabeth Stride was not mutilated. Her throat was cut.
The theorist therefore, had to go back in time to find another victim that
was mutilated in order for the theory to work. Since Martha Tabram (aka
Turner) was stabbed 39 times, he counted this murder as a mutilation. Thus
Martha Tabram now becomes the first victim on the giant Jack the Ripper board
at the Ten Bells. The remainder of the wall displays interesting newspaper
clippings about Jack the Ripper as well as possible suspects and theories.
Which victims of Jack the Ripper patronized the Ten Bells pub during the
Autumn of Terror in 1888? To answer this question, we must review the
Ripper literature. Then I will present my theory regarding the victims and
the Ten Bells. Begg, Fido & Skinner (1996) state that "It was widely
rumoured that Annie Chapman had been seen in a pub near Spitalfields Market
at c.5.00 A.M. on the morning of her murder" (p. 447). The pub was
reportedly the Ten Bells, as the pub is directly across the street from the
Spitalfields Market. Elizabeth Foster told newspaper reporters that she was
with Mary Kelly drinking in the Ten Bells during the evening hours on
November 8, 1888. Mary Kelly used to stand outside the Ten Bells in order
to attract customers. In fact Tom Cullen, author of The Autumn of Terror
, interviewed a retired market porter named Dennis Barrett. As a boy, he
knew Mary Kelly by sight. She also went by the name of "Black Mary".
Barrett stated "she had her pitch outside the Ten Bells Pub in Commercial
Street, and woe to any woman who tried to poach her territory. Such a woman
was likely to have her hair pulled out in fistfuls." So when you stand
outside the entrance to the Ten Bells Pub, you are truly standing in the
footsteps of perhaps the most famous of the Ripper's victims, Mary Kelly!
A tour company, The Original London Walks, lists a walking tour about
the Ripper murders, as "Jack the Ripper Haunts". These walking
tours include a visit to the Ten Bells Pub. The pub also sells a wide
variety of Jack the Ripper souvenirs. The book, The Complete Jack the
Ripper, by Donald Rumbelow, can be purchased at the pub.
While the Ripper literature shows that two victims visited the Ten Bells
before they were murdered, I believe that most of the victims patronized the
Ten Bells, as well as other pubs in the area for customers. I will be
presenting my theory in an upcoming essay on the Casebook entitled The
Pubs and Jack the Ripper.
More information on the pub...
References
Begg, P., Fido, M., & Skinner, K. (1996). The Jack the Ripper
A-Z. London: Headline.
Cullen, Tom. (1945). Autumn of Terror: Jack the Ripper, His
Crimes and Times. Fontana Books (1966 printing)
Outside, the Pub's sign
The Ten Bells, from Commercial Street. Christ Church is adjacent to the pub.
The bar of the Ten Bells, changed significantly since 1888.
This photo shows a crowd at the pub after a Jack the Ripper walk. On the
far left is the "victim's board"; in the middle is an original
19th century mosaic, "Spitalfields in the Olden Time -- Visiting a
Weaver's Shop".
The giant "victims' board" at the Ten Bells.
