CITY OF LONDON - BOUNDARY OF DRAGONS

THE FARRINGDON ROAD DRAGON

DRAGONS
A dragon is a winged reptile, a scaled creature, with the tail of a serpent, capable of breathing smoke or fire. Think teeth, flared nostrils, scales and a snake-like tail and you’ve got the essence of a dragon! These creatures can be found throughout history even back to bible times, where the devil is referred to as being a dragon, in the book of Revelation. In classical legend, they are associated with guarding something. For example, in Greek mythology, a ten headed dragon guarded the golden apples, in the Garden of the Hesperides. In medieval romance, dragons spent a lot of time guarding pretty, captive women. In England, we associate St George with slaying the Dragon and indeed dragons guard the City of London and mark out the different gates around the city i.e Aldersgate, Bishopegate, Temple Bar, Bridge Gate and Moorgate.

THE VICTORIA EMBANKMENT DRAGON

THE CITY OF LONDON 

The City of London boundary or ‘square mile’, the original heart of London, established by the Romans, in 55BC, is surrounded by dragons, which are the most obvious and visible dragons, in the City of London, but if you’re interested and can spare the time, you could go on your on a dragon hunt, which will take you all over the City!

DRAGONS ON HOLBORN VIADUCT BRIDGE, BUT THESE ARE NOT BOUNDARY DRAGONS

However, for my boundary project, I am just concentrating on the boundary dragons. These fierce and very angry looking silver beasts, stand on plinths, at various points around the boundary of the City. They are all clutching shields, which bear the red cross of St George and the short sword of Saint Paul. The dragons found on Victoria Embankment, are the biggest and also the original dragons from which all the others are based. These two dragons are made of cast iron and stand on plinths of Portland Stone. Originally these dragons had their home at the entrance of the Coal Exchange in Lower Thames Street. 

THE COAL EXCHANGE, LOWER THAMES STREET. IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU CAN SEE
THE TWO DRAGONS THAT NOW HAVE A HOME ON VICTORIA EMBANKMENT

The coal exchange was designed by City Architect, J.B. Bunning between 1847 and 1849. The minutes of the Coal, Corn and Finance Committee for 2nd July 1847 record that Bunning had furnished the founder, Dewer with drawings for the several castings required, received estimates for them including two cast iron griffins or dragons with shields, both from one pattern, including modelling, carving, delivery and fixing, complete for £70 each. In 1963 the Coal Exchange building was pulled down and the dragons relocated to their present position and inaugurated on the 16 October 1963. The following year The London Streets’ Committee recommended that the boundary dragons mark all the main entrances to the City. The Chairman decided that the Coal Exchange dragons should serve as templates for all the dragons, rather than the one designed by C.B. Birch at the Temple Bar Memorial. On the 9th of March 1965 approval was given for half size dragons to be erected at approved sites at the cost of £2,998.

THE TEMPLE BAR DRAGON IN FLEET STREET, WHERE THE CITY MEETS THE WEST END

TEMPLE BAR DRAGON 

The Temple Bar dragon is the tallest of all the dragons and has a very gothic look to it. Unlike the other boundary dragon, it is black and not silver. It stands over the Temple Bar Memorial on Fleet Street by the Royal Courts of Justice. It is at this point that the City of London meets the City of Westminster. The Temple Bar was the most celebrated gateway to the City. It used to be at this point, where the ruling monarch would be met and welcomed into the City by the Lord Mayor. The original 17th century Temple Bar gateway, has now been restored and installed between St Paul’s Cathedral and Paternoster Square.

BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE AND HIGH HOLBORN DRAGONS

LONDON BRIDGE DRAGON AND A DRAGONS BACK

THE BISHOPGATE DRAGON, A FEW YARDS FROM THE LIBERTY OF NORTON FOLGATE

SHADOW OF THE DRAGON, ENTER IF YOU DARE!