Category Archives: /City-Smithfield

Driving Livestock in Winter

Posted on 26 December 2018 by adrianprockter

Above: The decorative sign in Attleborough, in Norfolk. Now that we have all had our Christmas Dinner, did you even consider how the chicken or the turkey arrived on your plate? ‘Simple’ you reply, ‘It was bought in a Sainsbury’s … Continue reading →

Posted in /City-Smithfield, Subj_Christmas, Subj_Coaching Days | Leave a comment

Boar’s Head Ceremony

Posted on 19 December 2016 by adrianprockter

Above: The members of the Butchers’ Company assembled outside their hall near Smithfield, ready to march off to Mansion House bearing the decorated Boar’s Head. The Boar’s Head Ceremony has been celebrated in one form or another throughout England for … Continue reading →

Posted in /City-Smithfield, Subj_Christmas | 2 Comments

Smithfield on Agas

Posted on 12 December 2016 by adrianprockter

What is the Agas Map ? The first complete map of Inner London in existence today is a actually not a map but a ‘bird’s eye view’ originally made as a wood-cut about 1561. Only three paper copies of the … Continue reading →

Posted in /City-Smithfield | 1 Comment

Information Technologists’ Company

Posted on 21 November 2016 by adrianprockter

Above: The front of the hall in Bartholomew Close. Not a good day to take the picture because the road had just been dug up on the right. The City Companies are still quite a puzzle to many Londoners. In … Continue reading →

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Haberdashers’ Hall, West Smithfield

Posted on 14 November 2016 by adrianprockter

Above: The beautiful modern interior in wood of the Haberdashers’ Hall. Haberdashers – there’s a good old fashioned word. The first recorded mention of the craft was in 1371. The Company has its roots in a fraternity (a group of … Continue reading →

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Cloth Court and its Secret Window

Posted on 26 October 2016 by adrianprockter

Above: View looking east in Cloth Court at the street called Cloth Fair. The large open space that was originally known as West Smithfield – to distinguish it from East Smithfield near the Tower of London – is today generally … Continue reading →

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Dragon Wash and Brush Up

Posted on 19 October 2016 by adrianprockter

Above: One of the newly-painted dragons on the east side of Smithfield Market. Over the summer months some of the largest dragons ever cast in the City of London have been given some beauty parlour treatment. There are four of … Continue reading →

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City of London (Year 6)

Posted on 10 October 2016 by adrianprockter

Above: Map of the City of London showing the outline of all the wards. It is now time to consider the Areas of Study for Year 6 of the Know Your London cycle of lectures. We start the academic year … Continue reading →

Posted in /City of London, /City-Fleet Street, /City-Smithfield | 1 Comment

Smithfield in Victorian Times

Posted on 22 June 2016 by adrianprockter

Above: Looking south while standing in the middle of Smithfield. “London in 1891” ‘Oh yes, I know where that is. Its Smithfield – but where are all the cars?’ You probably said something like that when you first looked at … Continue reading →

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Turnmill Street and the Boundary Post

Posted on 30 May 2016 by adrianprockter

Above: The boundary post in Turnmill Street. The opposite side of the street is Farringdon Underground Station. London is just overflowing with history – some of it being quite well-known but most of it is something only research will discover. … Continue reading →

Posted in /City-Smithfield, /Isl-Finsbury | 4 Comments