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March 12, 2007
Place of oaths, deals and mystery: The London Stone
On Wednesday I'll walk east from Mayfair into legal London, down Fleet Street past Dr. Johnson's house and then past St. Paul's, on a stroll tracing and just above the Thames, to 111 Cannon Street, in the middle of the financial district. Thanks to Peter Ackroyd, author of London: The Biography, I'll stop and discover an unspectacular grate I've passed many times before. I'll look wistfully and imagine. Therein sits the unnoticed, forgotten and neglected London Stone, indisputably ancient, over which oaths were made and deals struck for centuries. There's an inscription on it, I'm told. Although linked to pre-Christ Druid ceremonies, historians can agree that it's at least a marker from
Roman times, making it a 2000 year-old symbol. A small boulder, at or near its present spot for centuries, it has even survived the Blitz, and was once the symbol of authority and heart of the City of London. In 1450, Jack Cade, opposing King Henry VI in the Kent peasant rebellion, struck his sword against the stone in a statement of sovereignty after arriving in London with his rebels. He declared himself lord of the city. Later that year, of course, Cade's head ended up on a pike on the London Bridge.
Posted by JD Hull at March 12, 2007 11:55 PM
Comments
I've never heard of this London Stone. But of course if you want to know all about your city ask a tourist!
I may have a look at it when next in town: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A863309
Posted by: geeklawyer at March 12, 2007 10:26 AM
Ah, and I would love to join you, but can't face yet another schlep into London after three days in and out last week. But if you allow me to take you on an historic tour of ancient Cambridge instead, I'll do you the honour of turning up on my bike in my pink leathers.
Posted by: Ruthie at March 12, 2007 10:28 AM
There is some extraordinary history and lore about the Stone; after you read up on it, its current resting place will blow you away. In the meantime, GL, stand at the Cannon tube station down the street and east of your "hood" after a good walk down Fleet and look across the street to a sportings good store. And then go inside the store.
Well, I have never been to Las Vegas--and don't plan on it.
Ruthie--I am crushed at your refusal to do me--uh, meet me--at the Stone at high noon.
Posted by: Dan Hull at March 13, 2007 06:08 PM
Ah Dan, I would hate you to think that I am easy :-)
I lived in London for about 10 years before being driven out by the congestion, cost of living and competition. London has energy history creativity tolerance and optimism. I've yet to find a similar combination in any other city, I think the closest I've experienced is New Orleans (before it was flattened).
When I've bagged myself a rich American lawyer, I'll buy a flat in London and move back in.
P.S. Love and kisses to Charon, I've been neglecting him recently.
Posted by: Ruthie at March 14, 2007 07:11 AM