Mother Shipton, who has been dubbed “Britain’s Baby Vanga” spent the first few years of her life isolated in a dingy dark den after her mum was shunned by the community.
Born Ursula Southeil in 1488 to 15-year-old Agatha Soothtale, the child grew up in the grim cold setting until a family finally took pity on her and her teen mother.
Mother Shipton was two years old by the time she got out of the cave in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, which now has creepy items, such as teddies and clothes and human hair, hung above the entrance.
Legend has it, Mother Shipton was deformed, ugly and cackled at birth rather than cried.
It is said that she was possessed by strange powers and could see into the future – with many believing she had many accurate prophecies.
Some of her most famous predictions include the Great Fire of London, in 1666, the death of King Henry VIII, in 1547, and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, in 1769.
Only one of the historical events took place before Mother Shipton’s death in 1561.
Many in the town feared her and believed she was a witch.
But she had loyal followers – with her prophecies still being read and discussed today.
Estimated to have been there for 10,000 years, the cave has since become a tourist attraction for those brave enough to visit.
There is also a small museum on the site which tells Mother Shipton’s story.
She was buried in Knaresborough and many believe if you rub your nose on the statue at her grave, she will grant you a wish.
Many have since compared her to Baba Vanga, a blind Bulgarian woman who has continued to predict the future from beyond the grave.
She is claimed to have foreseen Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine and 9/11.
Who is Baba Vanga
WHO is Baba Vanga?
Born in 1911, the Bulgarian futuregazer was said to be blinded after being sucked up into a tornado.
She died 26 years ago at the age of 84, but many of her predictions are believed to have come true after her death.
However, her spooky prophecies are hard to verify as only a few, if any, were actually written down.
Her predictions include:
- Putin’s assassination attempts
- A rise in terrorist attacks in Europe
- Terrifying natural disasters
- Economic crisis and a rise in Eastern power
- Cyber attacks
- Tech revolutions
- Medical breakthroughs