Dark Secrets Of Plague, Power & Peril At The London Charterhouse

You’re taking a lunchtime walk through Farringdon, searching for a bench to sit and enjoy the spring London sunshine.

You find a pretty garden in which to eat your Pret meal deal, sit down, and dig into your Coronation Chicken sandwich. But then you see the signs.

You’ve wandered into the London Charterhouse at Charterhouse Square. You’re eating on top of a plague pit.

Beneath your feet lie 50,000 skeletons that all contain the pathogen that causes the Black Death.

Illustrative cover image for 'Charterhouse Square & the 50,000 Bodies Below', featuring a stylized plague doctor mask with a crow perched atop, set against a yellow background. Below the text are crossed shovels, symbolizing the mass graves from the Black Death that lie beneath Charterhouse Square. This dark and evocative graphic sets the tone for the historical depth of 'London Charterhouse Square.'

This may sound like a movie plot, but it’s not: it’s real London history right under your nose (and your shoes).

Thousands of Londoners pass by this spot everyday, and have no idea about the incredible story of Charterhouse Square and surrounding buildings.

Let’s look at the 800+ years of Charterhouse history, why it’s an infamous plague pit, and explore the dastardly deeds (and deaths) of its former occupants.

The Key Location of Charterhouse Square London

Modern map highlighting the location of Charterhouse Square in London. Key landmarks are labeled, such as The Charterhouse, a historical museum, Smithfield Market, Cloth Fair, and St Bart's Hospital. A skull and crossbones symbol marks a site of interest, and the City of London border is shown with a dashed line. Notable streets and places are marked, providing a contemporary guide to 'charterhouse square london' and its surrounding area.

Why has this site seen so many crazy events and deaths? Charterhouse history comes down to one key thing: location.

It sits right on the border of the City of London, and during medieval times, there was a massive wall and gates enclosing the City from everything that laid outside.

The London Wall is important to Charterhouse history because it effectively separated this property from everything going on inside London: fires, plagues, revolts, etc.

Let’s go back to the beginning and see exactly why this location was both strategic and tragic for the occupants of the Charterhouse.

A Brief Charterhouse History

To understand why London Charterhouse sits atop a plague pit, we have to go a bit further back in history, before the Charterhouse was established.

1100s: St. Bartholomew the Great Hospital

Just inside the London wall lay St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.

A monk established the hospital in 1123 in conjunction with the Priory of St Bartholomew. It’s still there today, and is the oldest continuously operating hospital in the world.

Like it is today, it sat on the border of the City of London, where walls would have separated the inner City of London from everything outside of it.

1346-1353: Bubonic Plague Sweeps London

Historical engraving depicting the Black Death in the 14th century at the London Charterhouse. The scene shows numerous figures in despair, some attending to the sick and dying, while others lay lifeless on the ground. A group of onlookers in period attire stands by a mass grave, hinting at the grim reality of the plague. Notably, architectural elements and clothing styles provide a sense of the period, offering context for 'Charterhouse history'.

When the bubonic plague swept Medieval London beginning in 1346, the nearby hospital was a natural place to care for the sick. But this plague was so brutal and so deadly that half of the entire population perished.

Anyone who died within the City of London – either in hospital or elsewhere – was taken outside the city gates (maybe as an attempt at controlling infections, though the contagion of the bubonic plague was not understood at the time).

What was right next to the hospital AND right outside the city gates? What is now Charterhouse Square.

It was an empty plot of land, so the corpses were piled into a mass grave.

1371: London Charterhouse Founded

A vivid image split into two scenes of Charterhouse Square. On the left, a close-up of lush green grass with a sign saying 'Please keep off the grass' in the foreground, with the blurred image of red-brick buildings in the background. On the right, an information sign in a garden setting reads 'CHARTERHOUSE SQUARE: In 1348 this was a burial ground for victims of the Black Death. Since then, the land has never been built on,' tying the location to the historical 'charterhouse london' and its significance as a plague burial site. — Charterhouse Square today: Signs pay homage to the victims of the Black Death buried here.

The Charterhouse was founded as a Carthusian (Catholic) priory in 1371.

Not much is known about this period in its history – only that it was developed as a priory for Catholic monks and lay next to – and maybe on top of – a massive plague pit.

It seems the priory went along the next few hundred years without many issues. But big changes were coming to all religious institutions when Henry VIII came to the throne in the 16th century!

1500s: Charterhouse London & The Reformation

Illustration of Henry VIII declaring a divorce, with the humorous speech bubble, 'I hereby grant thee...I mean, me...a divorce!' amid a group of courtiers. The image, with 'Reformation' at the top, is a satirical take on a historical event related to the London Charterhouse history.

If you’re not privy to what the Protestant Reformation was, here’s a TLDR: a Catholic priest named Martin Luther started calling the massively powerful Roman Catholic church out on its bullshit, and the movement gained steam throughout Europe.

Back in England, Henry VIII, who wanted a divorce, couldn’t be granted one under the current Pope. So what did Henry do? He took advantage of the current social movement and formed his own Protestant church called the Church of England.

Naturally, he made himself the head of his own church so he could grant his own divorce. And then he demanded all Catholic institutions be dissolved and plundered to fill the royal coffers.

As a result, all Roman Catholic organizations in England – including the priory at the London Charterhouse – were dissolved. But they didn’t go down without a fight.

1535: The Carthusian Martyrs’ Brutal Executions

A painting titled 'Martyrdom of the Fathers' by Vicente Carducho, depicting Carthusian monks facing martyrdom in 1535, associated with the history of the London Charterhouse. The central figure is bound to a wooden wheel, expressing anguish while another monk in white robes stands solemnly by, and a figure in a broad-brimmed hat looks on, reflecting the turmoil and persecution of the 'london charterhouse' Carthusian monks.

The monks of the London Charterhouse refused to bow down to Henry VIII as the head of the church. They believed that honor belonged to the Pope, and they didn’t want to convert to Protestantism.

The result was a series of brutal and ghastly executions.

The first three monks were hanged at Tyburn, and the second three were bound upright in chains for 13 days before being hung at Tyburn.

The next group were hanged in chains until they died. The fourth group were chained inside Newgate Prison, with some claimed by disease, some by starvation, and some by heatstroke.

There was a lone survivor of this group who had evaded capture, but he was finally apprehended and “made an example of.”

The final monk, John Houghton, was hanged at Tyburn, cut down while still alive, disemboweled, then quartered. His body parts were displayed throughout the city to remind citizens of Henry VIII’s power as the head of the church.

All of the monks of the London Charterhouse would become known as the “Carthusian Martyrs” because of their deaths in the name of religious belief.

Today, the street nearby bears their name: “Carthusian Street”.

16th Century: Charterhouse London After the Reformation

A composite image showcasing Charterhouse's historical narrative. On the left, a portrait of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, representing the 'cursed owners' of the Charterhouse, with his attentive gaze and elaborate Elizabethan ruff. The right side displays the Great Hall's interior, a grand room with dark wood paneling, a large chandelier, red-clothed tables, and portraits adorning the walls, a testament to the enduring legacy and rich history of 'charterhouse london.'

After the monks were executed, the Charterhouse was used by the monarchy for storage of Henry’s hunting equipment and other random royal necessities.

In 1545, it was bought by a private owner who demolished the church and turned it into a grand mansion house.

Over the next few decades it passed to another owner, the 4th Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Howard.

But, as all residents of the Charterhouse are seemingly cursed, Howard was soon imprisoned at the Tower of London for scheming to marry Mary Queen of Scots.

He was put under house arrest at the Charterhouse after his release from the Tower, and apparently got bored because he did a ton of renovations which forever changed the property.

Howard wasn’t destined to enjoy his elaborate home; new evidence came to light and he was executed in 1571 by beheading at the Tower Hill.

It’s said that on some dark nights inside the Charterhouse, you can see his ghost ascending the grand staircase, head in hand.

1600s: Thomas Sutton Establishes School, Hospital & Almshouse

Split image from the 17th century with a portrait of Thomas Sutton on the left and an etching of Pensioner's Hall, Charterhouse on the right. Thomas Sutton is depicted with a poised demeanor, dressed in a black robe, holding a book, symbolizing his contribution to 'Charterhouse history' as a notable philanthropist. The detailed etching of Pensioner's Hall captures the architecture of the period, showing figures engaging in daily activities outside the building, illustrating the Charterhouse's historical use and significance.

In a turn of fortune, the next owner of the Charterhouse was a wealthy philanthropist. Thomas Sutton made his fortune in coal, and purchased the Charterhouse.

In his will, he bequeathed funding to establish and maintain a school, hospital and almshouse on site.

Finally, some good news for the Charterhouse occupants! All endeavors flourished with this new scheme.

The Charterhouse School became a well-regarded institution, the hospital was known for excellent care, and the almshouse supported up to 80 male pensioners.

Modern Day: Bodies Discovered Inside

A detailed 1739 engraving of The Charterhouse Hospital, London, from an elevated perspective. The etching shows a large, walled compound with a series of buildings organized around courtyards, gardens lined with trees, and a formal layout indicative of institutional architecture of the period. The surrounding area of Charterhouse Square is depicted with smaller buildings, reflecting the historical urban context of the 'charterhouse square'. — The Charterhouse grounds: hospital, school, and almshouse, which served the community from the 17th century all the way into the 20th century.

From the 17th century until the 20th century, the Charterhouse served its intended purpose. It functioned for centuries as a helping hand in the community.

Though it was damaged by bombs in WWII, it was meticulously restored and rebuilt.

During that restoration, some archaeological work was carried out. Workers discovered a lead coffin in the altar which contained the remains of the priory founder – Walter De Manny – from the 1370s.

This discovery was vital in understanding the early history of the Charterhouse and its founding.

2014: Discovery of the Charterhouse Square Plague Pits

A graphic illustration titled 'CROSSRAIL ARCHAEOLOGY' showing a map with a stylized purple line representing the Crossrail route, intersected by skull and crossbones at significant archaeological sites. The locations 'Charterhouse Square,' 'Royal Oak,' 'Moorgate,' and 'Stepney Green' are highlighted, with arrows pointing to them, indicating areas of interest related to the discovery of 'london charterhouse plague pits' during the construction.

In 2014 while digging through Central London for the Crossrail Project, workers discovered something a bit larger than one lead-sealed coffin.

Beneath the earth of Charterhouse Square, 13 skeletons were uncovered. DNA and other analysis revealed they were from the 1300s, and all contained the pathogen that caused the Black Death.

Although only 13 skeletons were unearthed, it’s estimated that as many as 50,000 bodies were buried here in the 14th century alone.

Though records had always told us that there was a plague pit in this location, the sheer size of it and number of bodies had never been known.

In this same time of the construction of the Elizabeth line, other plague pits were uncovered, the research undertaken has given historians vital clues to what this period in London’s history was really like.

London Charterhouse & Charterhouse Square Today

Contemporary photograph of The Charterhouse in London, displaying its well-preserved red brick facade with white sash windows. The building features a grand arched entranceway leading to a cobbled courtyard, reflecting the enduring architectural heritage of 'charterhouse square london.' Gas-style lamps and greenery by the doorway add to the historical ambiance of the site as it stands today.

The open land surrounding the Charterhouse–Charterhouse Square– is remarkable because since those burials, that particular piece of land has never been built on.

Charterhouse buildings remained, and London has modernized all around this area. But if you were to X-ray this open field, you’d see bodies upon bodies, stacked in three layers from the 14th to 15th centuries.

2017: Charterhouse Museum

A split image featuring two scenes from Charterhouse Square, London. On the left, a modern iron gate with a distinctive bird-like design arches over a paved entranceway, leading to a courtyard with historical brick buildings in the background, showcasing a blend of old and new architecture. On the right, a playful sign reads 'No, don't dig here!' encircling text 'Unearth more about City Gardens,' placed over an image of a serene garden, suggesting historical significance and the modern effort to preserve 'charterhouse square london.'

Today you can go inside the Charterhouse Museum (opened to the public in 2017) to see glimpses of the past and learn more about its incredible history.

Some parts of the Charterhouse complex remarkably still operate in their intended way, as there is still a pensioner housing scheme on site.

The hospital is gone, and the school is no more, but the legacy of the Charterhouse, and all of its history, lives on in this little corner of London.

Charterhouse Hauntings

You may not be surprised to hear that the most commonly sighted spirit at the Charterhouse is that of a monk. He floats across the Square and into the buildings, silently in flowing robes.

Is it the spirit of the monk whose corpse they found inside the lead coffin? No one knows.

Another commonly seen spectre is the headless form of Thomas Howard – remember, that guy who tried to marry Mary Queen of Scots, then lost his head?

Howard is apparently still here, and gets upset at renovations, since he was the one who redid the whole place while on house arrest.

Charterhouse Square is very spooky at night, and it’s a great place to visit on a London ghost hunt.

Pay homage to all those lost over the centuries at this storied place, and you might come away with a Charterhouse story of your own!

Visit my map to find all of the forgotten burial grounds of London. You may be walking on one right now.

More on London History and Crime

The Workhouse Howl & 13 Other Devastating Facts on Life in the Workhouse

10 Rillington Place Today: Notorious Murder House Then & Now

Secrets of a Serial Killer: Uncovering the Truth About John Reginald Christie

What’s the Oldest Pub in London? 13 Curious Contenders

Gross Jobs in the 1800s: 10 Dirty and Dangerous Victorian Jobs