200-year-old book of Mother Shipton's eerie prophecies unveiled at Leeds City Library for Halloween

A rare 19th-century volume chronicling the life and predictions of Knaresborough-born fortune-teller Mother Shipton is among a series of spine-tingling historical texts being researched by Leeds librarians this autumn.

Born Ursula Southeil during a thunderstorm in 1488, Mother Shipton gained nationwide renown for predicting major historical events.

Shunned by locals for her unusual appearance and mysterious abilities, she lived a life of solitude while being simultaneously feared and consulted by citizens from all walks of life.

The volume held in Leeds City Library's special collections was written in the early 1800s and compiles centuries of lore, including a description of her as "larger than common - her body crooked – her face frightful – but her understanding extraordinary."

The text also features a vivid woodcut illustration depicting the famous moment Cardinal Wolsey sent noblemen to her cottage after she made the treasonous prediction that he would never set foot inside York.

Facing the threat of being burned at the stake, Mother Shipton tossed her handkerchief into her fireplace, proclaiming that if it didn't burn, neither would she.

The fabric survived the flames completely unscorched, leaving the cardinal's men to retreat in awe.

Foretelling the Plague and the Great Fire

Among the book's compiled verses are prophecies widely interpreted as forewarning both the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London in 1666.

One famous verse reads: "Triumphant death rides London thro’ And men on tops of houses go"

Historians believe the lines reference the terrifying death toll of the plague alongside Londoners fleeing onto rooftops to escape the flames ravaging the capital.

Sally Hughes, librarian at Leeds City Library, said: “Mother Shipton is one of the country’s most fascinating soothsayers and mystics, and her legend has grown and been embellished for centuries after her death as people continue to puzzle over the meaning of her many predictions.

“Whether you believe that her prophecies were real or not, what’s clear is that she was a remarkable and formidable woman who commanded considerable respect at a time when life for most women was extremely difficult.

Sally continued: “Having such a comprehensive and detailed account of her work in our collection gives us a unique insight into her life as well as the mystique and intrigue surrounding witchcraft, folklore and fortune-telling, which endures even today.”

Spooky rare collections

The Mother Shipton volume is part of a wider archive of rare texts on display at the library, including a 1584 copy of The Discoverie of Witches - a landmark book that attempted to debunk popular witch-hunting superstitions with rational explanations - and an 1830 copy of Sir Walter Scott’s Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft.

Councillor Asghar Khan, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing and hubs, added: “It’s fascinating to see such a unique chapter in the story of Yorkshire captured by writers and historians for future generations to ponder.

“We’re also extremely fortunate to have such a comprehensive collection in our libraries across Leeds, which allows us to learn more about so many different facets of our history and heritage.”

The rare Mother Shipton book and associated historic witchcraft collections are housed within Leeds Central Library on The Headrow. All rare texts within the special collections are available for the public to view free of charge by appointment. Visitors can arrange a viewing by emailing the heritage and research department directly.