Mitre Square

Mitre Square is a small public space in Aldgate, within the City of London. It measures about 23 by 24 metres and is linked by three narrow passages to surrounding streets. The square sits on the former cloister of Holy Trinity Priory, a monastery dissolved by Henry VIII in the 16th century. Mitre Street runs to the south-west, Creechurch Place to the north-west, and St James’s Passage to the north-east. The square is bordered by modern office buildings and older brick facades. The site gained grim historical significance on 30 September 1888 when Catherine Eddowes was murdered there by Jack the Ripper. Her body was found at 1:44 a.m., making this the only Ripper killing inside the City of London. A penny dreadful of the time blamed the murder on an ancient curse tied to the monastery’s demolition. The square remains a quiet spot despite its dark reputation. Visitors find a compact paved area surrounded by tall buildings and narrow alleys. The square is mostly empty except for benches and a few pedestrians passing through. Its sombre history draws occasional historians and true-crime enthusiasts. The surrounding streets remain busy with City workers and local traffic. The contrast between the square’s quietness and its violent past makes it a place of quiet reflection.