The Legend of Bleeding Heart Yard

I had a most delicious dinner last night at Bleeding Heart Yard and discovered that there is a bloody story attached to the place. Lady Elisabeth Hatton, an early seventeenth century aristocrat who was no stranger to controversy, threw a ball in 1626 at the Hatton London residence (now Hatton Garden) during which one of her supposed lovers Senor Gondomar, the Spanish ambassador, (who in some accounts had a hunchback and one clawed hand) arrived, danced with her and left. Her body, torn limb from limb with the heart still pumping blood onto the cobbles, was discovered later in the stable yard behind the house.

A version of this story was published by Richard Barham as one of the Ingoldsby Legends in which a deal with the devil was made by the wife of Elisabeth Hatton's father-in-law Christopher to make him a success at Elizabeth I's court (which indeed he was). The devil came for his payment, arriving personally  at a housewarming ball at the Hatton residence, and spiriting away the hostess. Just her beating heart was found later.

In truth Elisabeth Hatton lived until 1646 and was buried at St Andrew's Holborn, but it makes a good story. 

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