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London Bridge
At the southern end of London Bridge, which spans the River Thames, is Southwark where Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is located. At the northern end is the City of London which vies with Wall Street as the World's most powerful financial centre. Wander round the City, full of history, wonderful pubs & inviting restaurants.
The present London Bridge is a modern structure opened in 1973. Upstream is the Cannon Street Railway Bridge, downstream is the Tower Bridge named after the famous Tower of London which is located close by.
I am afraid that this modern London Bridge does not live up to the glamour or ' historical feel' of its brand image. London Bridge was immortalised by the nursery rhyme below & its fame enhanced when London Brisge was sold & transported to America
'London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.'
The first London bridge across the Thames was wooden, built by the Romans in 65 AD.Various bridges were built in the next thousand years on this site under the various conquerors Saxon, Vikings & Normans. Just beore 1066, back in 1014, London Bridge was torn down by the Norwegian( Viking) King Olaf.This was a offensive move with king Aethelred against the Danish occupiers of the City of London. It was this act of vandalism which has been remebered down the ages by the nursery rhyme above.
In 1209 King John allowed shops to be built on London Bridge itself. No doubt to enrich his coffers but causing great traffic congestion on the bridge. This boost to trade delighted the ferry & boatmen whose services rocketed in demand driven by impatient river crossers! Note that the Ponte Veccio in Florence followed London Brisge's houses & shops on its bridge.
In 1305, a grisly tradition commenced which was to continue until 1660 when the King Charles II abolished it. Sir William Wallace was a Scottish Knight who fought for Scottish Independence. Wallace was captured & hanged, drawn, and quartered in the tradition punishment for high treason. His head was impaled on a pike & exhibited on London Bridge. This tradition was followed for 350 years with such notable heads as Thomas More & Thoms Cromwell. Note that the heads were tarred to preserve them!
Nearest Tubes to London Bridge:
Monument Tube at the northern end
London Bridge Tube at the southern end
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