GRINGOTTS WIZARDING BANK
2nd Year - Option Four
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
These words are engraved on the set of silver doors marking the entrance to Gringotts Wizarding Bank, located in Diagon Alley, London. They are a solemn warning to whoever may try to steal from the bank, hinting at the security measures, hidden by the vaults, deep underground.
Gringotts was created in 1474 by a Goblin named Gringott and was soon after placed under the control of the Ministry of Magic. Gringotts was eventually returned to the goblins in 1865. The motto of the bank was Fortius Quo Fidelius, which is Latin for Strength Through Loyalty -- an indication of the bank's trustworthiness.
​
The bank could be entered by ascending a set of white marble stairs from Diagon Alley and passing through a set of bronze doors, which were guarded by two uniformed goblins. Past these doors were a smaller set of silver doors, which contained the above inscription.
​
​
​
Image of Gringotts Bank
Beyond the silver doors was the entrance hall: a marble room with long counters along its lengths and doors leading to the vault passageways, surrounded by goblins. Witches and wizards with great wealth and/or power could arrange for a private vault entrance.
​
The passageways to the vaults were dimly lit and made of stone, which sloped down to tracks carrying carts controlled by goblins that would take visitors to their vaults. The deeper one went below the surface, the larger and more secure the vaults would be. The oldest and wealthiest wizarding families held the vaults deepest underground, which were guarded by a variety of dangerous magical creatures.
HOMEWORK:
1) Do some research and find out what specific security measures Gringotts has in place for their most secure vaults. What are they? Do you think they are effective? Why or why not -- and if not, what would you change?
2) Do you think the Ministry of Magic should have any level of control over Gringotts? Why or why not? Be sure to consider the political tensions that have existed between Goblins and Wizardkind.