The bank of England was founded in 1694 in London to act as the primary bank of England and is the eighth oldest bank in the world. It was initially built in response to Britian's loss in the battle of Beachy Head as a way to restore some of its lost power. It is the central bank of the UK today and most modern banks are modeled after its way of running. The bank remained government owned until 1998 when it became an independent public organization. The treasury of England withholds the right to give orders to those who run the bank if it is necessary to help the public good, but parliament must sponsor these acts.
In Percy Shelleys poem "Mask of Anarchy" the bank is referenced in the line "So he sent his slaves before to seize upon the bank and tower" also referencing the tower of London. This line indicates that Anarchy took control of the banks, seeing as the poem was written in response to a massacre, it is likely this is meaning that those who run the bank, the aristocrats of the time, misuse the bank and bring anarchy into the country through it.
Click HERE for an old photo of the bank