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about the history of London, from prehistoric times to present day.
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It is hoped that as more and more people collaborate, little by little we can compile more information about the history of London than has ever appeared in any single book or publication and produce a truly extensive and informative resource which is useful to everyone including school children, students, Londoners and history professors.
It is hoped that as more and more people collaborate, little by little we can compile more information about the history of London than has ever appeared in any single book or publication and produce a truly extensive and informative resource which is useful to everyone including school children, students, Londoners and history professors.
London Bridge
Boris Johnson at London Bridge to launch search for young musicians
Double platinum album artist Newton Faulkner joined the Mayor of London Boris Johnson at London Bridge Underground Station on Monday to call for musicians to enter this year's Rhythm of London Busking Underground competition.
The home of the London Bridge is the Thames River, and a bridge has existed on the spot for at least the last 2000 years. The first bridge on record was constructed by the Romans, and since then many bridges have risen at the hands of various empires. London Bridge today remains on of the most popular tourist attractions in Britain as well as an icon for the city of London.
London Bridge history records the building of a wooden bridge by the Romans about 2000 years ago. Historians suspect that the location was chosen for its relatively convenient access to the deeper ocean waters, as well as the excellent land conditions available for bridge building. The home of the London Bridge as it appeared in Roman times was in virtually the same spot as the home of the London Bridge today, suspended over the Thames River.
The Romans were not the only people in London Bridge history to construct a wooden bridge. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Saxons were known to have built at least one, if not many (due to destruction by fire and other calamities) timber bridges. The first stone structure in London Bridge history was built in the twelfth century and took 33 years to complete.
King John was in power when the bridge was finally completed, and it was King John who had the idea to build houses on the bridge itself. The history of the London Bridge goes on to reflect that scores of houses and shops quickly built up on the bridge. The number of people residing on the bridge eventually became so high that the bridge became its own district in London.
Each side of the now stone bridge also had a stone gatehouse. The South gatehouse was the site of a more gruesome period in the history of the London Bridge. A tradition of displaying the severed heads of traitors, impaled on tall spikes, was begun sometime in the sixteenth century. Heads were dipped in tar to provide protection from the elements, and at some point a collection of at least 30 heads was collected at the South gatehouse. Everyone from William Wallace of Scotland to Thomas Cromwell was displayed in the gatehouse, until the practice stopped in 1660 when King Charles II took power.
Eventually, the houses on the bridge created a congestion that resulted in serious safety hazards. The houses and shops were no longer inhabited, and in the early eighteenth century a system of traffic was developed to maintain order on the busy structure. The mayor of London asked that bridge passengers travel in particular directions, creating the system of traffic that still remains in place in London today. The history of the London Bridge structure in place today began in 1967 and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on March 17, 1973. The modern bridge has sleek lines and is adorned with red lights.
Guests traveling to London may choose to make a stay at the London Bridge Hotel, or possibly visit the bridge Monument to the Great Fire of London or the Monument tube station. No matter how you choose to spend your time viewing the London Bridge, the contrast of a modern thoroughfare to the ancient bridges that it has replaced creates an intriguing tourist experience.
Double platinum album artist Newton Faulkner joined the Mayor of London Boris Johnson at London Bridge Underground Station on Monday to call for musicians to enter this year's Rhythm of London Busking Underground competition.
The home of the London Bridge is the Thames River, and a bridge has existed on the spot for at least the last 2000 years. The first bridge on record was constructed by the Romans, and since then many bridges have risen at the hands of various empires. London Bridge today remains on of the most popular tourist attractions in Britain as well as an icon for the city of London.
London Bridge history records the building of a wooden bridge by the Romans about 2000 years ago. Historians suspect that the location was chosen for its relatively convenient access to the deeper ocean waters, as well as the excellent land conditions available for bridge building. The home of the London Bridge as it appeared in Roman times was in virtually the same spot as the home of the London Bridge today, suspended over the Thames River.
The Romans were not the only people in London Bridge history to construct a wooden bridge. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Saxons were known to have built at least one, if not many (due to destruction by fire and other calamities) timber bridges. The first stone structure in London Bridge history was built in the twelfth century and took 33 years to complete.
King John was in power when the bridge was finally completed, and it was King John who had the idea to build houses on the bridge itself. The history of the London Bridge goes on to reflect that scores of houses and shops quickly built up on the bridge. The number of people residing on the bridge eventually became so high that the bridge became its own district in London.
Each side of the now stone bridge also had a stone gatehouse. The South gatehouse was the site of a more gruesome period in the history of the London Bridge. A tradition of displaying the severed heads of traitors, impaled on tall spikes, was begun sometime in the sixteenth century. Heads were dipped in tar to provide protection from the elements, and at some point a collection of at least 30 heads was collected at the South gatehouse. Everyone from William Wallace of Scotland to Thomas Cromwell was displayed in the gatehouse, until the practice stopped in 1660 when King Charles II took power.
Eventually, the houses on the bridge created a congestion that resulted in serious safety hazards. The houses and shops were no longer inhabited, and in the early eighteenth century a system of traffic was developed to maintain order on the busy structure. The mayor of London asked that bridge passengers travel in particular directions, creating the system of traffic that still remains in place in London today. The history of the London Bridge structure in place today began in 1967 and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on March 17, 1973. The modern bridge has sleek lines and is adorned with red lights.
Guests traveling to London may choose to make a stay at the London Bridge Hotel, or possibly visit the bridge Monument to the Great Fire of London or the Monument tube station. No matter how you choose to spend your time viewing the London Bridge, the contrast of a modern thoroughfare to the ancient bridges that it has replaced creates an intriguing tourist experience.
London Bridge was originally the only crossing for the Thames.
As London grew, so more bridges were added, although these were all
built to the west of London Bridge, since the area east of London
Bridge had become a busy port. In the 19th century, the East End of
London became so densely populated that public need mounted for a
new bridge to the east of London Bridge, as journeys for
pedestrians and vehicles were being delayed by hours. Finally in
1876, the City of London Corporation, responsible for that part of
the Thames, decided the problem could be delayed no longer.
The view today from the high level Walkways has changed dramatically, although there are still signs of the area's amazing history. With the aid of photographs and interactive kiosks, visitors to Tower Bridge Exhibition can gain a greater understanding of how life would have been when the idea of a new bridge was originally conceived.
A huge challenge faced the City of London Corporation - how to build a bridge downstream from London Bridge without disrupting river traffic activities. To generate ideas, the "Special Bridge or Subway Committee" was formed in 1876, and opened the design for the new crossing to public competition.
Over 50 designs were submitted for consideration, some of which are on display at Tower Bridge Exhibition. It wasn't until October 1884 however, that Horace Jones, the City Architect, in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry, offered the chosen design for Tower Bridge as a solution.
t took 8 years, 5 major contractors and the relentless labour of 432 construction workers to build Tower Bridge. Two massive piers were sunk into the river bed to support the construction and over 11,000 tons of steel provided the framework for the Towers and Walkways. This framework was clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone to protect the underlying steelwork and to give the Bridge a more pleasing appearance.
To learn more about the building of Tower Bridge, the people involved in its construction and why it was needed, visit The Tower Bridge Exhibition where video screenings explain the entire project, including the difficulties faced.
The view today from the high level Walkways has changed dramatically, although there are still signs of the area's amazing history. With the aid of photographs and interactive kiosks, visitors to Tower Bridge Exhibition can gain a greater understanding of how life would have been when the idea of a new bridge was originally conceived.
A huge challenge faced the City of London Corporation - how to build a bridge downstream from London Bridge without disrupting river traffic activities. To generate ideas, the "Special Bridge or Subway Committee" was formed in 1876, and opened the design for the new crossing to public competition.
Over 50 designs were submitted for consideration, some of which are on display at Tower Bridge Exhibition. It wasn't until October 1884 however, that Horace Jones, the City Architect, in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry, offered the chosen design for Tower Bridge as a solution.
t took 8 years, 5 major contractors and the relentless labour of 432 construction workers to build Tower Bridge. Two massive piers were sunk into the river bed to support the construction and over 11,000 tons of steel provided the framework for the Towers and Walkways. This framework was clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone to protect the underlying steelwork and to give the Bridge a more pleasing appearance.
To learn more about the building of Tower Bridge, the people involved in its construction and why it was needed, visit The Tower Bridge Exhibition where video screenings explain the entire project, including the difficulties faced.
When it was built, Tower Bridge was the largest and most
sophisticated bascule bridge ever completed ("bascule" comes from
the French for "see-saw"). These bascules were operated by
hydraulics, using steam to power the enormous pumping engines. The
energy created was stored in six massive accumulators, as soon as
power was required to lift the Bridge, it was always readily
available. The accumulators fed the driving engines, which drove
the bascules up and down. Despite the complexity of the system, the
bascules only took about a minute to raise to their maximum angle
of 86 degrees.
Today, the bascules are still operated by hydraulic power, but since 1976 they have been driven by oil and electricity rather than steam. The original pumping engines, accumulators and boilers are now exhibits within the Tower Bridge Exhibition.
In 1910 the high level Walkways were closed to the public due to lack of use. People arriving on the bridge preferred to wait at street level for it to close rather then heading up the stairs carrying their heavy loads. In 1982, as part of the new Tower Bridge Exhibition, visitors to the bridge could once again enter the walkways, now fully covered, and experience the amazing panoramic views. Although Tower Bridge is now powered by oil and electricity, the original steam engines maintained by a dedicated team of technical officers remain in their original location for all to see. This area is known as the Victorian Engine Rooms, the second section of Tower Bridge Exhibition. Over the past 28 years, the exhibition has been developed to keep pace with modern day needs without losing its Victorian essence. Through interactive kiosks and video walls along with knowledgeable Guides, visitors can learn about key events in the Bridge's history, ranging from Royal visits to dare devil stunts.
1910 - the high-level walkways, which were designed so that the public could still cross the bridge when it was raised, were closed down due to lack of use.
1912 - during an emergency, Frank McClean had to fly between the bascules and the high-level walkways in his Short biplane, to avoid an accident.
1952 - a London bus driven by Albert Gunton had to leap from one bascule to the other when the bridge began to rise with the number 78 bus still on it.
1977 - Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. (Before that, it was painted a chocolate brown colour).
1982- Tower Bridge opened to the public for the first time since 1910, with a permanent exhibition inside called The Tower Bridge Experience.
Today, the bascules are still operated by hydraulic power, but since 1976 they have been driven by oil and electricity rather than steam. The original pumping engines, accumulators and boilers are now exhibits within the Tower Bridge Exhibition.
In 1910 the high level Walkways were closed to the public due to lack of use. People arriving on the bridge preferred to wait at street level for it to close rather then heading up the stairs carrying their heavy loads. In 1982, as part of the new Tower Bridge Exhibition, visitors to the bridge could once again enter the walkways, now fully covered, and experience the amazing panoramic views. Although Tower Bridge is now powered by oil and electricity, the original steam engines maintained by a dedicated team of technical officers remain in their original location for all to see. This area is known as the Victorian Engine Rooms, the second section of Tower Bridge Exhibition. Over the past 28 years, the exhibition has been developed to keep pace with modern day needs without losing its Victorian essence. Through interactive kiosks and video walls along with knowledgeable Guides, visitors can learn about key events in the Bridge's history, ranging from Royal visits to dare devil stunts.
1910 - the high-level walkways, which were designed so that the public could still cross the bridge when it was raised, were closed down due to lack of use.
1912 - during an emergency, Frank McClean had to fly between the bascules and the high-level walkways in his Short biplane, to avoid an accident.
1952 - a London bus driven by Albert Gunton had to leap from one bascule to the other when the bridge began to rise with the number 78 bus still on it.
1977 - Tower Bridge was painted red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. (Before that, it was painted a chocolate brown colour).
1982- Tower Bridge opened to the public for the first time since 1910, with a permanent exhibition inside called The Tower Bridge Experience.