One of the many things I love about ancient cities is discovering the scars of the past. Those seemingly innocuous details which, when reached, lead to discoveries of past histories, peoples long gone, and past structures now vanished.
Echoes of London Bridge,
This clock and the tower it’s part of is one of my recent finds, or rather, I found it in 2019 and took this photograph. Only recently did I fully appreciate its significance when a random video* appeared in my YouTube feed.
The tower and clock marked the northern entrance to London Bridge, the one that was replaced by the current brutalist style bridge in the 1973 Something of a radical departure in style for a historic city, but all the rage for the post war era.
In Love with Clocks
In truth, it was the clock that captured my attention. I’m something of a horologist at heart, although my knowledge of technical terms is woefully inadequate. Ancient clocks like this always have a fascinating history.
Part of the Church of St Magnus the Marytr’s on the Right, the archway of the pedestrian entry still exists.
Many London Bridges
Strictly speaking, this was one of a number of “London Bridges” There has been a crossing at this point since the Romans built one in AD 50. Completed in 1209, the mediaeval bridge is the one of the song.
“For over 600 years this bridge was the key crossing point of the Thames in London, ferrying people, goods and livestock across the river. With its shops, houses, churches and gatehouse, it was an iconic feature of the City of London.” Ben Johnson*
The bridge must have been something to behold, The hustle and bustle
New London Bridge
In 1799 a replacement London Bridge was begun and built alongside the Medieval Bridge. It still in use until the replacement was completed in 1831. A more stately construction I imagine, and much easier to cross, although perhaps a little less interesting. Stone remains of the older bridge can be found in the courtyard beside the tower in the picture.
The Trouble with Titles
The name for the painting was planned to be Echoes of London Bridge, but now I’m having second thoughts and leaning towards Echoes of London Past or Echoes of London’s Past. What do you think? What would you call it.
