The Bank Giant and The Bank Nun

The Bank of England is well known for it’s gold bullion stored in it’s vaults. But in 1798 something more unusual was deposited there for safekeeping. The Directors of the institution gave permission for the burial, in an inner courtyard, of the 7'6" body of a former employee William Jenkins

William was disturbed by the thought that his large body would be stolen by body snatchers for use in experiments, or worse.

His giant ghost has been seen walking the corridors of the Bank, although according to the Bank of England Museum there have been no recent sightings.

Outside the Bank of England, near it’s entrance in Threadneedle Street, a woman dressed in heavy mourning clothes (although her face is heavily made up) is occasionally seen in the early hours of the morning

Her name is Sarah Whitehead, she is known as Bank Nun due to her appearance, she died in 1838 and is still waiting for her brother Philip who worked at the Bank. He had been convicted of forging an acceptance to a bill and hanged. The shock of Philip’s execution effected Sarah's mind and she refused to accept his death.

For twenty-five years she came daily and waited for her brother outside the Bank asking employees for news of Philip as they left for the evening, as she was under the delusion that he was still employed there.

Eventually the bank paid her £50 to stay away (a huge sum in those days) but it seems she only up held her promise during her life time.