#bow bells

[aneverydaything]

Day 1419, 12 May 2022

[sometimeslondon]

St Mary-le-Bow church in the City of London

If it wasn't for this church, we wouldn't have Oranges and Lemons, Bow Bells, Cockneys, Dick Whittington, his cat and the best Christmas pantomime ever!

[londiniumlundene]

Whittington Stone

“Turn again, Whittington! Thrice Lord Mayor of London!”

Such is the prophecy that Bow Bells are said to rung out to Dick Whittington, who having not found the streets of London to be paved with gold, had decided to return home to Gloucestershire. It was whilst climbing Highgate Hill, accompanied by his cat, that this most iconic part of his legend is said to have occurred. On returning to the capital, Dick would embark on a series of adventures, make his fortune, marry his master's daughter, and indeed become Lord Mayor of London three times.

At least, that is how the popular story goes. The real Richard Whittington (c. 1354–1423) was the youngest son of a wealthy family, who was sent to London to learn the trade of mercer. He was not just successful in selling textiles to the royal and noble families of England and beyond, but also entered politics, first becoming and councilman, and shortly afterwards Sheriff of the City of London. His first term as mayor came when the incumbent mayor died, and Whittington was chosen by King Richard II to take over. A few months later he was elected as mayor, and he would go on to serve another two terms (his first two appointments were originally counted as one, hence the “thrice Lord Mayor of London in the story).

Whittington died with no heir, instead leaving his fortune to a number of charitable causes. His generosity made him well-known in death, inspiring the famous story, such that man and myth and now forever intertwined. The supposed spot on Highgate Hill where he heard Bow Bells calling out to him was marked with a stone tablet in 1821, joined by a sculpture of his cat in 1964.

[aneverydaything]

Day 1086, 13 June 2021

[myjanemerrowblog]

London Memories

As I walked to church this morning…Holy Trinity in Sloane Street, Chelsea, the Arts and Craft Church,  I felt London envelop me again as it always does when I am here.    I grew  up in London and it will always be familiar….my home town.   I know much of it has changed, but so much has not and my affinity with many of its streets will always have always have great significance to various times…

View On WordPress

[tonyjsargeant-anthony]

Ronald James Sargeant as a boy (circa 1924?) Photograph of the father of Anthony Sargeant aged about 5 years which would suggest a date of 1924.

[mapsontheweb]

Map of Cockney territories in London as defined by being able to hear the "Bow Bells".

[inspiringcityuk]

Oranges and Lemons and the bells of old London Town

Oranges and Lemons and the bells of old London Town

One of the most recognised English language nursery rhymes is the famous Oranges and Lemons. The rhyme works its way through a number of famous old London churches and I’ve often wondered where those churches were.

Every morning I walk past a pub called the Bow Bells which is a great, traditional, quite earthy east end boozer painted bright orange and with the full nursery rhyme written outside…

View On WordPress