Documenting the history of the City
In 2020 after lockdown began, there seemed very little to do except walk and take photos. So that’s what I did, feeding a passion for history in the City at the same time.
These articles are the result.
Is the City History?
When the (first) lockdown arrived in March 2020, it felt unprecedented and like it fundamentally changed the face of the City. But is this right? What can we learn from the previous shocks that have befallen the Square Mile and how might these point towards a point of recovery? I looked at five moments where the City faced enormous challenges to see the parallels that might be drawn. War, fire and financial crisis - none of it is new to an area that has been populated for thousands of years.
Industry in the City
Our view of the City is based around how it looks now. Steel and glass reinforces the City’s role as the financial heart of the country and it is difficult to image anything different being in place. However, the “new” image of the City hides a host of activities over the last 1,000 years. Many are dark and brutal (the tanning industry coming as one of the more unpleasant in history) but all are crucial for understanding the landscape where we work. Do you want to know on what quiet street in the City the machine gun was invented (and tested)? Ever wondered how banking ended up being focused in the Square Mile? If the answer is yes, these five articles are for you.
London Peculiarities
London is full of the weird and wonderful. Ever wondered where you can find whalebones in the city? Have you stopped opposite Cannon Street to examine a framed stone there? Are you interested in some of the odd things London has to offer? If so, this series of short articles is for you.