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Archive for the ‘London Facts’ Category

The Birth of the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

The Bank of England is personified as ‘The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street’ - conjuring images of a benevolent and homely old spinster at her sewing. However, the ‘old lady’ has a slightly less peaceable heritage than this image implies - the Bank of England was borne out of funding the war with France. In 1694, William III’s coffers were running low, threatening his war against the French. (more…)

Leadenhall Market

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Leadenhall Market is one of London’s oldest food markets, standing on the site of a 1st century Roman basilica (a Roman public building). There has been a market on this site since the 14th century, and people travelled from all over the neighbouring counties with their produce. (more…)

London Facts Part IV

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

You’re never alone with a Strand…

In 1959, the Strand in London lent its’ name to a brand of cigarettes from W.D. & H.O. Wills (part of Imperial Tobacco). Strand Cigarettes were launched with a massive marketing campaign based around the line ‘You’re never alone with a strand’. (more…)

An intruder at the Palace

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

© Will Pearson 2008
(Note: Image shows Windsor Castle - Buckingham Palace image to follow)

In 1982, Queen Elizabeth II woke up to find an unemployed labourer with a bloodied hand and a broken glass ashtray sitting on her bed.

Michael Fagan was (according to his mother) inordinately fond of the Queen. Perhaps this is why he allegedly chose her bedroom as the place he would commit suicide, but apparently then decided that it wasn’t “a nice thing to do” once he arrived. It wasn’t his first break-in to Buckingham Palace - a month previously, (more…)

I’m “On the Wagon”…?

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

How often have we all declared ourselves to be ‘on the wagon’ - implying a period of self-imposed abstinence from alcohol? The English language is peppered with such phrases whose origins seem obscured, or are simply never considered. One explanation offered up for this phrase is as follows: (more…)

London Facts Part II

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Suicides at St Paul’s Cathedral, London

When Wren built St Paul’s Cathedral, he created the huge dome as a religious icon, something to inspire awe in the congregation below. What he may have failed to foresee is that the height of the whispering gallery (a drop of 100 foot) made it feasible for people to commit suicide there. (more…)

London Facts Part I

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009


Image © Will Pearson

How St Mary Axe got its name

The City of London is full of strange street names. St Mary Axe has now given its name to one of London’s most famous buildings, ‘the Gherkin’, but how did the street and the building become so named? (more…)