Mr Bradshaw sets the scene for a visit to the Tower of London: ‘..The very streets that introduce us to the spot, remind us of the city in its olden days, before gaslights and the new police had made the ways clear and the paths safe – when each house had its sign [wonderful article] dangling in the palpable obscure of after-dark, their outlines ever and anon rendered more distinctly by the smoky glare of the linkboy’s light as he piloted some bibbing [what a splendid word!] citizen to his domicile, or the sudden assemblage of the swinging lanterns of horn, at the familiar cry of Watch..’. (Ripon, and here)
The Watchmen over time, because of the increase in crime (!) became the Bow Street Runners (1749), and so to the Peelers, and the Metropolitan Police Force.
Well, the murky atmosphere and crush of small streets has gone, replaced by wider roads filled with noise and traffic. The Tower site is clean, tidy, and filled with tourists and school children, even on a bitterly cold winter’s day. The Tower of London is described in considerable detail on its own site, and here, and so I will just leave you with a few images.
The displays of armour and weapons inside the White Tower were remarkable, if somewhat sparse, and there was certainly a lot of information about the functioning of the whole of the Tower of London over the centuries. It was a king’s palace; the home of the Royal Ordnance (and the place where the Ordnance Survey maps started life); the Mint; the Public Record Office; a menagerie of wild beasts before the zoo of London; a ‘safe’ for the Royal jewels; and of course a prison.
But what I loved most of all was this Chapel –
Trinity House, dating from 1793-6, still stands opposite the Tower, and remains responsible for ‘..The safety of shipping, and the well being of seafarers..’. The company was granted a Royal Charter by Henry VIII in 1514 and today is responsible for lighthouses; safety, welfare and training of mariners; and the training of deep sea pilots.
And in Trinity Square is now a memorial to those who died at sea in WWII
And a garden.
The Royal Mint opposite the Tower to which Bradshaw refers was the building by Smirke, built in 1809, but rebuilt in 1880. The last coin was minted at the site in 1975 and the buildings are now commercial offices.
Mr Bradshaw stood by the tall dock walls of St Katharine’s Dock and looked out on the Pool of London where ‘..Ten thousand masts [stretching] tapering to the sky in token of England’s commerce with each corner of the globe..’.
It was the wharves along the Thames which were important; by 1899 there were more than 300 working wharves – the docks were built further down river when the wharves could no longer handle the volume of goods. And the wharves could continue to trade because the lighters were able to ferry goods from the large ships in the docks to the wharves, and the wharf owners, rather than the docks, would be paid by the ship owners. The picture below shows the lighters.
Quality articles is the main to attract the viewers to pay a quick visit the site, that’s what this web site is providing.
Thank you!
Your way of telling everything in this article is really fastidious, every one be
capable of easily understand it, Thanks a lot.
Thank you – I am pleased you enjoy the posts!
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks,
However I am going through problems with your RSS. I don’t know
why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody having identical RSS issues?
Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!
Are you still having difficulty? Can you subscribe via email?
It’s hard to find experienced people on this topic, but
you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Thank you! Please keep reading!
First off I want to say superb blog! I had a quick
question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing.
I have had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out.
I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin.
Any recommendations or tips? Many thanks!
Mr Bradshaw sets the agenda, and after that I just try to understand London through his eyes. Sometimes my own feelings intrude, but on the whole I try to ‘feel’ what he felt and saw
Hey There. I found your blog using msn.
This is a very well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to
read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post.
I will certainly return.
Thank you and please keep reading!
[…] books, since 1853. On the railings surrounding the entrance are beautiful link extinguishers. (Link boys were found earlier, and beautiful photos and information about both […]
It’s nearly impossible to find experienced people for this topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Thank you, and I hope that you have enjoyed the subsequent explorations with Mr Bradshaw. While I am working hard at understanding London there are many people who are considerably more experienced and knowledgeable than I am – the London Blue Guides, the London Historians…
Hello! I’ve been reading your website for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the fantastic work! pompy ciep³a
Thank you – it is good to hear that people are enjoying the journey with me, and encourages me to do my best to pass on the excitement and pleasure
9 Really Good Web Site Pages You Got Here! Very Educational Subject For A Post Keep Up The Super Interesting Projects!. Check Out My Free Winnipeg Computer Repair Blog Blog And Tell Me What You Think!!
I am pleased you are enjoying the posts – please tell your friends and keep reading!
Hello there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I’m sure they will be benefited from this website.
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, please do pass on your enjoyment and encourage others to follow – Mr Bradshaw is absolutely fascinating and I am loving telling people all about him, and London
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a amazing job with this. Additionally, the blog loads super quick for me on Chrome. Superb Blog!
I am glad you like it – please tell your friends!
Thank you – please keep reading! and tell your friends
[…] The Wall’s eastern end is at the Tower of London. […]