'UK's Baba Vanga' who made three key predictions for future from terrifying cave

25 February 2024 , 13:24

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Legend has it that Mother Shipton was raised in this haunting cave in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire (Image: Alamy Stock Photo)

A fortune teller whose three key predictions came true was raised in a haunting cave in North Yorkshire.

Mother Shipton, whose birthname was Ursula Southeil, was born in 1488 to 15-year-old Agatha Southtale. But her early years were rough even for those times. She and her mother were forced to live in an isolated cave after they were shunned by their community. Now, the cave is adorned with chilling curios, including teddies, clothes and human hair hung above the entrance.

It was until a family took pity on the baby and her teen mother that they were rescued from the cavern in Knaresborough. When they were rescued, Mother Shipton was two years old. According to legends, she was deformed and cackled rather than cried, and she had the ability to see into the future. Many believed some of her prophecies came true.

Her predictions included the Great Fire of London in 1666, the death of King Henry VIII in 1547 and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1769. Though most of the events happened after her death, King Henry passed away when she was 59 years old.

An engraving of Mother Shipton, who was born Ursula Sonthiel of Shipton (Getty Images)

Many in Knaresborough believed she was a witch, but she also had a loyal following who documented her life and prophecies, so well that they're still known today.

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The cave is thought to have been there for 10,000 years, and is now a tourist attraction. On the site, there is also a small museum telling her story. Her body was buried in Knaresborough. Many say that by rubbing your nose on the statue at her grave, she will grant you a wish.

Many of her contemporaries believed she was a witch, but she had a loyal following (Internet Unknown)

She has been compared to the blind Bulgarian mystic Baba Vanga, whose predictions contined to come through despite her death in August 1996. Some say she foresaw Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and 9/11.

Ryan Fahey