London - The Thames - Old Engraving

The tower on the left of the image belongs to St. Bride's Church which has been on this site since around the 6th Century.  Some of its most famous parishioners include John Dryden, John Milton and Samuel Pepys.   A popular tale indicates that its spire was the inspiration for the tiered wedding cake.    It is the second tallest of the churches created by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.  The first being St Paul's Catherdral which dominates the centre of the picture.

The Bridge shown is Blackfriar's Bridge (1769-1869) made from Portland Stone.

Drawn by Thomas H. Shepherd.  Engraved by William Wallis.

Original print was labelled: "London.  Respectfully inscribed to the Righ Honble.  The Lord Mayor , Court of Aldermen and Common Council.  Published March 31, 1827 by Jones & Co. 3 Acton Place, Kingsland Road, London."

Learn more about both sides of the river from two of our Thames Path tours.

The northern bank (left of the picture) is explored in the tour Blackfriars to Westminster:

"This is the second tour in our London River Walks following the Thames Path.  This tour is based on sewage….literally.  We will be walking on top of one of London’s greatest engineering feats – the Victoria Embankment which is in fact a huge sewer.
We wander from the putrid lost River Fleet to the majestic Westminster Bridge and find war Memorials for Submariners, and the Air Force, and a big ‘Thank You’ from Belgium.    We pass a notable Titanic victim, a forgotten Royal  Palace, a tram tunnel, “London’s Oldest Monument”, the beginning of the War of the Roses and the Year of the Great Stink.   Throw in some poetry from William Wordsworth,  Lord Byron, Rudyard Kipling and Alfred Tennyson and you have a perfect stroll along the river. "

The southern bank (right of the picture) is explored in the tour Southbank:

 This Thames Path River Walk follows the South Bank of the River from Westminster Bridge to London Bridge with great views of Parliament, the City, St Paul’s, and the Globe.  We explore some lesser known sites such as Jubilee Gardens, the Clink, and the blackness of ‘Ladies’ Bridge.    We look out to the River to learn how Londoners reacted to a frozen Thames, and learn of the Golden Hinde, Winchester Geese and Oxo. 

 Find both tours on www.obelisktours.com

London - Pool of London - Old Engraving

This image of the Port of London is taken from an original steel engraving from 1842.  It shows the Pool of London in the day when boats sailed right into the heart of London to trade.  In the distance the Tower of London stands prominently on the outskirts of the City.   A notable absence is the Tower's well known neighbour - Tower Bridge - which was not constructed until 1894.

By W.H. Bartlett and R. Sands

Published by Geo. Virtue, 26 Ivy Lane, London, 1842

The northern river front (left of the picture) is covered by two of our self guided tours:

• Tower Hill
• Tower to Blackfriars

And the southern river front (right of the picture) is covered in our river tour through Southwark.  

Find all three tours on www.obelisktours.com

Preston - Church Street - Old Engraving

This historical image is looking down Church Street towards Fishergate.   The raised walkway complete with iron railings outside the Parish Church has long since disappeared.

Drawn by W.Westall. A.R.A.    Engraved by Edwd. Finden.

Find out more about the heart of Preston in our FREE tour of the ancient Flag Market on www.obelisktours.com

Tour Description:

"This FREE tour explores centuries of change around Preston’s Flag Market.  We find the remnants of Bull baiting, the stories behind the ancient Obelisk, the religious meaning behind the Lamb and the Flag, and the transformation of the Shambles.   Our tour discovers the majesty of the Harris Museum and the Age of Pericles, the ‘skyscraper’ of Preston, and Edwardian grandeur. "

Insult your loved ones with style

William Shakespeare - playwright, actor and all round good guy was also the master of the insult.  Now you can insult your loved ones Shakespearean style... and get away with it.  Just add the disclaimer of "Shakespeare wrote..." or "According to Shakespeare..." and you can disguise your insult as an insightful comment from the Bard himself.  Elevate your social standing from a mean, social parasite to a distinguished literary commentator in one fell swoop.   Here are a few to get you through most social engagements:

The Globe Theatre, London

 For that special wedding or anniversary:

"Wedded be thou to the hags of hell."

For your wife's birthday:

"She speaks yet she says nothing."

Some new catchy logos for your local weight watchers group:

"Mountain of mad flesh."

"Thou crusty batch of nature."

 "Lump of foul deformity."

For that under performing, under showered, gaming addicted teenager...

"Thou smell of mountain goat."

 "Come you are a tedious fool."

"I am sick when I do look on thee." 

Some useful comebacks to unwanted and over persistent tele marketers:

"More of your conversation would infect my brain."

"I desire that we be better strangers."

For inclusion in friendly letters and conversation to politicians,

"detested parasites."

"Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle." 

For rallying your local football team:

"Sweep on, you fat and greasy citizens."

For that special birthday thought:

"There is not so ugly a fiend of hell as thou shalt be."

For general, all purpose greeting cards:

"As dull as night."

"Not so much brain as ear wax." 

 "I am sick when I do look on thee."

"Cream faced loon."

Useful lines for travelling on the London Underground or crowded buses:

"Pray you, stand further from me."  

"Out of my sight thou dost infect my eyes."

Globe Theatre, Southwark

If you are on the south bank of the River Thames you can explore the area around the Globe Theatre - Will's old stomping ground - with my self guided tour app.  See www.obelisktours.com

Quoting Shakespeare

2016 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's (1564-1616) death, and in honour of this amazing wordsmith we present below a list of common expressions we use today which were first voiced by him.  The power of the bard's words is demonstrated by how easily they trip off our tongues - his skill has permeated our sub conscious to the degree that we do not realise we are even quoting Shakespeare.  

  

Shakespeare Plaque
Site of the Globe Theatre

Own flesh and blood

Bloody minded

Hoodwinked

Eyesore

Green eyed jealousy

See better days

Slept not one wink

Blinking idiot

Tongue in your head

Tongue tied

Teeth set on edge

Laughing stock

Laughed yourself into stitches

The stony hearted villain

Tower of strength

Stood on ceremony

Budge an inch

Lie low

High time

Long and short of it

Vanish into thin air

Globe Theatre

 Cold comfort

Dead as a door nail

Good riddance

In a pickle

Truth will out

Truth were known

Foregone conclusion

Fair play

Foul play

Game is up

Its early days

More in sorrow than in anger

Too much of a good thing

Give the devil his due

The devil incarnate

A fool’s paradise

Send me packing

One fell swoop

Without rhyme and reason

Its Greek to me

By Jove

What the Dickens

For goodness sake

London - Stationer's Hall - Old Engraving

Stationer's Hall was the home of the Worshipful Company of Stationers who regulated the printing trade for centuries.  They moved to this site in 1606 only to see the building and its valuable contents burnt to the ground in the Great Fire of London in 1666.  A new hall was constructed in 1673 which, besides an extension and an external facelift, is still the building standing today as depicted in this 1830 image.

Image labelled as: "Stationers' Hall, Stationers' Hall Court"

Original was drawn by Tho. H. Shepherd.  Engraved by W. Watkins.

Published by Jones & Co.  Temple of the Muses, Finsbury Square, London, Jan 9, 1830.

This important hall is featured in our FREE self guided tour of St Paul's Precincts found on  www.obelisktours.com

Tour Description:

"This FREE circular tour around St Paul’s precincts includes some of the history of the Cathedral (although does not go inside), but its main focus is to explore the Cathedral precincts bringing to life statues, archways, gardens, buildings and hidden corners.

Emerging from the shadows of history are memorials to the Blitz, John Wesley, and Thomas Becket.  We discover the founding of the YMCA, the home of the book burners, the extinction bell, and St Paul’s Cross.   Other curiosities include an ancient misplaced archway, a vanished market and a 150 million year old statue!"

London - St Paul's - Old Engraving

Original engraving labelled as: "St. Paul's Cathedral.  North Eastern View."

Drawn by Hablot Browne.  Engraved by B. Winkles for Winkles's Cathedrals.

Published London Oct 1, 1835 by Effingham Wilson, Royal Exchange.

You can explore all round the outside of this amazing building in our FREE tour of St Paul's Precincts.  

"This FREE circular tour around St Paul’s precincts includes some of the history of the Cathedral (although does not go inside), but its main focus is to explore the Cathedral precincts bringing to life statues, archways, gardens, buildings and hidden corners.

Emerging from the shadows of history are memorials to the Blitz, John Wesley, and Thomas Becket.  We discover the founding of the YMCA, the home of the book burners, the extinction bell, and St Paul’s Cross.   Other curiosities include an ancient misplaced archway, a vanished market and a 150 million year old statue!"