Ten Bells (public house)
Encyclopedia
The Ten Bells is a Victorian
public house
at the corner of Commercial Street
and Fournier Street
in Spitalfields
in the East End of London
. It is notable for its association with two victims of Jack the Ripper
; Annie Chapman
and Mary Kelly
.
A public house has stood on the site since 1752, but it was rebuilt in the Victorian era
. Much of the interior has been removed in recent times, but the extensive decorative tiling remains. A pictorial panel of painted tiles on the back wall, entitled Spitalfields in ye Olden Time, was designed by the firm of Wm B. Simpson and Sons and dates from the late 19th century.
The name of the pub is derived from a long–term competition between Christ Church Spitalfields
and St Brides
Fleet Street
to claim the finest peal of bells. Christ Church was built in 1714, with only one bell. These were added to and the public house's name commemorates the addition of the tenth bell. The church now has eight bells.
Between 1976 and 1988, the public house was named The Jack the Ripper, and memorabilia relating to the case were displayed in the bars. The brewery ordered the change back to its original name after a long campaign by Reclaim the Night demanded that a murderer of women should not be commemorated in such a fashion.
The pub is featured in the graphic novel
From Hell
(1999), about Jack the Ripper, by writer Alan Moore
and artist Eddie Campbell
. Certain scenes show its erstwhile, late twentieth century, use as a striptease
venue. The film adaptation From Hell
(2001), also features the pub, including a scene showing Johnny Depp
(as Inspector Abberline
) having a drink with Ripper victim Mary Kelly.
The public house was designated a Grade II listed building in 1973.
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
at the corner of Commercial Street
Commercial Street (London)
Commercial Street is a road in Tower Hamlets, east London that runs north to south from Shoreditch High Street to Whitechapel High Street through the East End district of Spitalfields...
and Fournier Street
Fournier Street
Fournier Street, formerly Church Street, is a street of 18th century houses in Spitalfields, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It runs between Commercial Street and Brick Lane....
in Spitalfields
Spitalfields
Spitalfields is a former parish in the borough of Tower Hamlets, in the East End of London, near to Liverpool Street station and Brick Lane. The area straddles Commercial Street and is home to many markets, including the historic Old Spitalfields Market, founded in the 17th century, Sunday...
in the East End of London
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
. It is notable for its association with two victims of Jack the Ripper
Jack the Ripper
"Jack the Ripper" is the best-known name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The name originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, that was disseminated in the...
; Annie Chapman
Annie Chapman
Annie Chapman , born Eliza Ann Smith, was a victim of the notorious unidentified serial killer Jack the Ripper, who killed and mutilated five women in the Whitechapel area of London from late August to early November 1888.-Life and background:Annie Chapman was born Eliza Ann Smith...
and Mary Kelly
Mary Jane Kelly
Mary Jane Kelly , also known as "Marie Jeanette" Kelly, "Fair Emma", "Ginger" and "Black Mary", is widely believed to be the fifth and final victim of the notorious unidentified serial killer Jack the Ripper, who killed and mutilated prostitutes in the Whitechapel area of London from late August to...
.
A public house has stood on the site since 1752, but it was rebuilt in the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
. Much of the interior has been removed in recent times, but the extensive decorative tiling remains. A pictorial panel of painted tiles on the back wall, entitled Spitalfields in ye Olden Time, was designed by the firm of Wm B. Simpson and Sons and dates from the late 19th century.
The name of the pub is derived from a long–term competition between Christ Church Spitalfields
Christ Church Spitalfields
Christ Church, Spitalfields is an Anglican church built between 1714 and 1729 to a design by Nicholas Hawksmoor. Situated on Commercial Street, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, on the eastern border and facing the City of London, it was one of the first of the so-called "Commissioners'...
and St Brides
St Bride's Church
St Bride's Church is a church in the City of London, England. The building's most recent incarnation was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672 on Fleet Street in the City of London, though Wren's original building was largely gutted by fire during the London Blitz in 1940. Due to its location on...
Fleet Street
Fleet Street
Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s...
to claim the finest peal of bells. Christ Church was built in 1714, with only one bell. These were added to and the public house's name commemorates the addition of the tenth bell. The church now has eight bells.
Between 1976 and 1988, the public house was named The Jack the Ripper, and memorabilia relating to the case were displayed in the bars. The brewery ordered the change back to its original name after a long campaign by Reclaim the Night demanded that a murderer of women should not be commemorated in such a fashion.
The pub is featured in the graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
From Hell
From Hell
From Hell is a comic book series by writer Alan Moore and artist Eddie Campbell, originally published from 1991 to 1996, speculating upon the identity and motives of Jack the Ripper. The title is taken from the first words of the "From Hell" letter, which some authorities believe was an authentic...
(1999), about Jack the Ripper, by writer Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
and artist Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell is a Scottish comics artist and cartoonist who now lives in Australia. Probably best known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell , Campbell is also the creator of the semi-autobiographical Alec stories collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and Bacchus , a wry adventure...
. Certain scenes show its erstwhile, late twentieth century, use as a striptease
Striptease
A striptease is an erotic or exotic dance in which the performer gradually undresses, either partly or completely, in a seductive and sexually suggestive manner...
venue. The film adaptation From Hell
From Hell (film)
From Hell is a 2001 American crime drama horror mystery film directed by the Hughes brothers. It is an adaptation of the comic book series of the same name by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell about the Jack the Ripper murders.-Plot:...
(2001), also features the pub, including a scene showing Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
(as Inspector Abberline
Frederick Abberline
Frederick George Abberline was a Chief Inspector for the London Metropolitan Police and was a prominent police figure in the investigation into the Jack the Ripper murders of 1888.-Early life:...
) having a drink with Ripper victim Mary Kelly.
The public house was designated a Grade II listed building in 1973.