Just as the city of London was grappling with the aftereffects of the Second World War and life amidst rubble and rationing, there emerged a tale that would be told and retold over cups of tea and pints of bitter – the legend of the Bermondsey Beast. This area, located in the South East of London, is characterised by a rich industrial history and resilient locals who thrived amidst hardship. But this folklore told of an unknown terror lurking in the shadows.
In the murky depths of the River Thames, this creature was said to emerge in the dead of night, releasing a hideous roar that could raise the hairs on even the staunchest dockworker. The beast was described as being large and formidable, with a gnarled back, twisted limbs and piercing yellow eyes that glowed menacingly in the moonlight. It was thought to roam the labyrinthine alleyways of Bermondsey, disappearing just as the cock crowed announcing dawn.
Stories of encounters with the beast tell of a creature so terrifying that even the most valiant men and dogs would quake in their boots. Mysterious disappearances were attributed to this beast and terrified locals would lock up early to avoid crossing its path.
Debate continues to this day as to what kind of creature the beast was. Some speculate that it was a large stray dog, a wild boar, or even a mythical creature. Others suggest that it could have been a common seal that had strayed upstream, its unusual appearance distorted by fear and imagination. Yet the truth remains elusive, shrouded in the unsettling fog of folklore, proving once more that sometimes the real mysteries lie not in what we know, but in what we fear.