Buzz
England’s iconic capital has a rich history filled with dark and enigmatic events—Jack The Ripper’s infamous crimes, the terrifying London Monster, and even Dick van Dyke’s much-debated “Cockney” accent. A city that has faced destruction by fire, wartime bombings, and subsequent rebirth, London is a place of red buses, black cabs, and endless intrigue. Below are 10 unsolved mysteries from London’s past and present that continue to baffle experts.
10. The Murder Of Edmund Godfrey
In 1678, Edmund Berry Godfrey, an English magistrate, was discovered dead under suspicious circumstances. While three men were convicted and executed for his murder, numerous historians argue that they might have been wrongfully accused and entirely innocent.
The late 1600s were marked by intense religious conflict in England. King Charles II, a Protestant, ruled without heirs, leaving his Catholic brother, James, the Duke of York, as the next in line. This prospect alarmed England’s Protestants, prompting Titus Oates to concoct the Popish Plot, a fabricated scheme alleging that Catholics planned to assassinate Charles to install James on the throne.
Godfrey became entangled in the scandal when Oates presented him with the so-called “evidence.” As someone with Catholic sympathies, Godfrey hesitated to act on the accusations, which took a toll on his mental health. By early October 1678, he suffered a breakdown, and on October 12, he vanished, reportedly in a state of deep despair.
On October 17, Godfrey’s body was discovered in a ditch, strangled and impaled by his own sword. Miles Prance, a silversmith, claimed to have seen Catholic priests overseeing the murder, a story that many exploited for political gain. However, Prance later confessed to fabricating his account, and his credibility had been questioned from the start.
In 1682, three individuals were prosecuted for libel after suggesting Godfrey had taken his own life. This silenced further discussion until 1685, when King Charles died and James ascended the throne. James reopened the investigation, and suicide was officially declared the cause of death.
Later historians have speculated that Titus Oates and his allies might have been responsible for Godfrey’s death. Another suspect is the Earl of Pembroke, a violent nobleman whom Godfrey had once convicted of murder—a verdict later overturned by the House of Lords. Despite these theories, the truth remains elusive, ensuring this mystery will never be solved.
9. The Cheapside Hoard
On June 18, 1812, laborers demolishing a tenement building in central London stumbled upon an astonishing discovery—a vast trove of buried treasure hidden just beneath the brickwork. The collection featured an array of exquisite jewelry adorned with globally sourced gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. The craftsmanship was remarkably detailed and diverse, with emerald pieces including a parrot carving, grape clusters, a lizard, and an unparalleled clock design. Totaling 500 items, this hoard remains the most extraordinary find of its kind. Yet, the identity of its owner and the reason for its concealment remain a mystery.
The hoard is believed to date back to the mid-17th century, possibly during the English Civil War. The area was then populated by jewelers and goldsmiths, and it’s plausible that one of them buried the valuables for safekeeping before leaving for battle, never to return. Soon after, the Great Fire of London ravaged the city, obliterating everything except the cellar where the treasure lay hidden.
The workers, finding the items still caked in mud, took them to a jeweler named Stony Jack, who had a reputation for purchasing artifacts unearthed by laborers. Jack acquired the pieces for a substantial sum and discreetly arranged for their donation to the newly established London Museum. Today, the treasures remain on display, with curators hopeful that global historians might uncover the origins of the gems and the story of their original owner.
8. The St. Pancras Walrus
The question, “Who is the walrus?” has now expanded beyond its relevance to Beatles enthusiasts.
In July, archaeologists excavating the St. Pancras Old Church graveyard, ahead of a rail terminal project, uncovered a surprising find. The site, used for mass burials between 1822 and 1854 due to epidemics, contained 44,000 bodies. However, one coffin stood out for its peculiar contents.
Upon opening the coffin, scientists discovered the remains of eight individuals—and a walrus. No one knows how such a large creature ended up in London. Historians speculate it may have been dissected by medical students, yet no records exist of this exotic animal being in the city at the time. Given its 4-meter (13 ft) length and the need to transport it from the Arctic, it’s astonishing that its presence went unnoticed. To people of that era, walruses were akin to mythical sea monsters.
7. Who Owns Witanhurst Mansion?
The most contemporary mystery on this list revolves around Witanhurst Mansion, London’s second-largest residence after Buckingham Palace. While the owner of the Queen’s home is widely known (our alleged shape-shifting reptilian rulers), no one has a clue who holds the title to this second grand estate.
In 2008, the 65-bedroom mansion was bought for 50 million pounds (approximately $80 million) by an offshore entity, Safran Holdings, whose owners remain shrouded in secrecy. Since the purchase, the property has nearly doubled in size, with underground additions including a 20-meter (70 ft) swimming pool, a spa, a cinema, and a 24-space parking lot. The construction costs have matched the original purchase price, making it a truly extravagant endeavor.
One individual confirmed not to be the owner is Russia’s wealthiest woman, Elena Baturina. She won a libel case against the British newspaper the Sunday Times after they implied she was behind the lavish purchase. Baturina argued that the “blatant lie” led to negative media coverage in her homeland. We emphasize that we make no claims whatsoever regarding how she may or may not have used the settlement from the lawsuit.
6. The Abduction Of Elizabeth Canning
Though Elizabeth Canning is largely forgotten today, she was one of the most famous figures in the UK in 1753. Her story began on January 1 of that year when Canning, a maidservant, vanished for four weeks. Her account of events, and the debate over its truthfulness, deeply divided the nation.
Canning alleged that two criminals kidnapped her and took her from London to a brothel in Enfield, then a town just outside the capital (now part of London). She claimed the brothel’s owners attempted to force her into prostitution and locked her in an attic when she resisted. They confiscated her corset and fed her only stale bread until she managed to escape through a window on January 29.
Upon Canning’s return with her harrowing tale, a mob organized by her employer stormed the location where she claimed to have been held. Authorities swiftly arrested Mother Wells, the brothel’s madam, and her associate, Mary Squires, a gypsy. Henry Fielding, a magistrate renowned for his literary works, secured their convictions. Wells was branded, and Squires was sentenced to death for allegedly stealing Canning’s corset.
Sir Crisp Gascoyne, the Lord Mayor of London, grew suspicious of the case. Squires had multiple credible alibis placing her far from the scene of the alleged crime. Gascoyne appealed to King George II, leading to Squires’s conviction being overturned. This decision sparked public outrage and turned the case into a national controversy.
The debate over Canning’s story fueled a flood of pamphlets, poems, and public discussions. Even Voltaire, the French Enlightenment icon, shared his thoughts. Critics of Canning speculated she had hidden away to terminate a pregnancy or conceal an illegitimate child, fabricating the abduction to avoid disgrace. Convicted of perjury, she was sentenced to seven years in America, where she remained until her death in 1773.
The truth behind Canning’s story remains unresolved, continuing to intrigue scholars. While it’s unclear how much of her account is factual, there’s no evidence suggesting she was elsewhere during her month-long disappearance.
5. The Natural History Museum Mystery Bug
London’s Natural History Museum houses 28 million insect specimens, so when entomologist Max Barclay spotted an unfamiliar bug in the museum’s garden, he decided to investigate. To his surprise, the insect was a complete mystery—there was no record of its origin or identity. Its closest relative is the American box elder bug, though a similar specimen had been discovered along France’s Mediterranean coast.
“I was astonished to encounter an unidentifiable species while enjoying a sandwich in the museum’s garden,” Barclay remarked. He proposed two possibilities: it could be a related species called roeselii that has adapted to a new type of tree, or it might not be roeselii at all. While these options cover all bases, the mystery remains unsolved.
4. The Beast Of Sydenham
England’s wildlife poses little threat to its inhabitants, with bears and wolves long extinct and the climate unsuitable for alligators. It’s no wonder, then, that reports of large, predatory creatures cause a sensation. One such case is the Sydenham beast, a sizable black cat rumored to roam the suburb it’s named after.
The Sydenham beast was first spotted in 2005 by local resident Tony Holder. In the early hours of March 22, while searching for his smaller cat, KitKat, Holder was attacked by a 1.5-meter (5 ft) long creature that knocked him to the ground. The animal fled before inflicting serious harm, and Holder was treated for minor scratches by paramedics. Police armed with tranquilizer guns searched the area but found no trace of the beast.
While tales of mythical creatures are often met with skepticism, the police treated the incident seriously. Large black cats do exist, after all. Officers visited schools to advise children on safety, warning them to avoid wooded areas and dark alleys. Police noted a similar sighting in south London in 2002. The last reported encounter was in 2009, when a jogger claimed to have been chased by the elusive cat.
3. The Pimlico Poisoning
On January 1, 1886, Thomas Edwin Bartlett was discovered dead at his Pimlico residence in central London. Although he had been unwell for some time, a post-mortem revealed a significant amount of chloroform in his stomach and intestines. Doctors concluded this was the cause of death, and suspicion quickly fell on his wife, Adelaide Bartlett.
Circumstantial evidence pointed to Adelaide’s involvement. Her tutor (and likely lover), George Dyson, admitted to purchasing chloroform at her request. Adelaide had confessed to intending to use the chemical to incapacitate her husband if he attempted to assert his “marital rights.” She reportedly avoided intimacy due to her husband’s mental instability and the foul odor caused by his severe gum disease.
Adelaide was tried but ultimately acquitted. The jury found no convincing evidence of how she could have administered the chloroform. There were no burns in her husband’s throat, which would have been present if he had been forced to ingest it. After the trial, renowned physician Sir James Paget remarked, “Now that she has been acquitted and cannot be retried, she should reveal, in the interest of science, how she accomplished it!”
History is silent on Adelaide’s life after the trial, and the mystery of how Thomas Bartlett died remains unsolved to this day.
2. The Hanging Of Roberto Calvi
Roberto Calvi, known as “God’s banker” for his ties to the Vatican, is most infamous for his mysterious death. On June 18, 1982, he was discovered hanging from Blackfriars Bridge in central London. His pockets contained five bricks and $14,000 in three different currencies. Prior to his death, Calvi had been accused of embezzling mafia funds, adding a layer of intrigue reminiscent of a crime thriller (perhaps starring Jason Statham).
In July of that year, an inquest jury ruled his death a suicide. However, doubts persisted, leading to a second inquest in 1983, which returned an open verdict. In 2002, forensic experts appointed by Italian judges concluded Calvi had been murdered and his body staged to appear as a suicide. An American Archbishop was sought for questioning but was protected by Vatican immunity. Five individuals were tried in Italy in 2005, but all were acquitted by 2007.
Francesco Di Carlo, a former mob boss, was linked to the killing, though he was never tried. Di Carlo believes the truth will remain hidden due to the immense power of those involved. “They are a mix of politicians, bank presidents, military officials, top security figures, and more,” he stated. Calvi’s son has dedicated himself to uncovering the truth, claiming to have spent nearly $25 million on legal and investigative efforts. Despite his determination, the mystery remains unresolved and may never be solved.
1. The Origin Of The London Stone
The London Stone, often referred to as the Stone of Brutus, is a modest yet historically significant artifact. Situated at 111 Cannon Street in London, it lies behind a grate in the wall of an abandoned office building. Its location can be viewed on Google Street View, just beneath a “Shop To Let” sign. Despite its humble setting, folklore suggests this stone is essential to London’s very survival.
The stone has been part of London’s landscape for millennia. According to legend, it was once part of an altar constructed by Brutus the Trojan, the mythical founder of the city. Poet William Blake depicted it as a site of pagan sacrifice, while Sir Christopher Wren theorized it might have served as the Roman starting point for measuring distances from London, given its central location. The stone has been referenced by Shakespeare and Dickens, and a proverb claims, “So long as the stone of Brutus is safe, so long shall London flourish.”
The London Stone has been relocated numerous times and has endured catastrophes such as the Great Fire and the Blitz. Until recently, it was overseen by Chris Cheek, who managed the sports shop on the ground floor of 111 Cannon Street. The stone was best viewed through a glass window beneath the cricket gear in the shop, a fitting arrangement given that both understatement and cricket are quintessentially English.
As the “To Let” sign on Google Maps reveals, the shop is now closed. The stone’s future remains uncertain, with the possibility of being moved to a museum, at least temporarily. The building is slated for demolition, making its current location untenable. Chris Cheek believes the stone’s enigmatic origins contribute to its allure, remarking, “If it lacks a beginning, perhaps it also lacks an end.”
