LONDON DRAGONS 4 - The Monument and Leadenhall Market

THE MONUMENT

The continued search for the dragons of London, takes me this week to The Monument and Leadenhall Market. Let’s start our journey at The Monument. The Monument stands at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill in the City of London. This impressive pillar was built between 1671 and 1677, to commemorate the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of the City.

THE MONUMENT - 61 metres high (202 feet)

THE DRAGONS SIT AT THE BASE OF THE PILLER, GUARDING THE MONUMENT

The fire began in the house of a baker, in Pudding Lane, on Sunday 2nd September, 1666 and finally extinguished on Wednesday 5th September, after destroying a greater part of the City. Surprisingly, there was very little loss of life, but the fire brought all activity to a halt, having consumed or severely damaged thousands of houses, hundreds of streets, the City's gates, public buildings, churches and St. Paul's Cathedral. The only buildings to survive, in part, were those built of stone, like St. Paul's and the Guildhall.

THE FLAMES EMERGING FROM THE URN, SYMBOLISING THE FIRE

As part of the rebuilding of the City, it was decided to erect a permanent memorial of the Great Fire, near the place where it began. Sir Christopher Wren, Surveyor General to King Charles II and the architect of St. Paul's Cathedral, and his friend and colleague, Dr Robert Hooke, provided a design for a colossal Doric column, styled in the antique tradition. They drew up plans for a column containing a cantilevered stone staircase of 311 steps which would lead to a viewing platform. This was surmounted by a drum and a copper urn, from which flames emerged, symbolising the Great Fire. The Monument, as it came to be called, is 61 metres high (202 feet) - the exact distance between it and the site in Pudding Lane where the fire began.

The column was completed in 1677, and in accordance with Wren's original intention, was at first used as a place for certain experiments of the Royal Society, but vibrations caused by ceaseless traffic, proved too great for the success of these experiments and they were discontinued; thereafter the Monument became a place of historic interest, unique of its kind, providing visitors with an opportunity to look across London, in all directions, from a height of about 160 feet, being the level of the public gallery.

The monument is open daily. Visit on a nice sunny day when I took these pictures. To walk the 311 steps it will cost you: Adults £3.00, Concessions: £2.00 Child: £1.50.

THERE IS SOME GREAT RELIEF WORK ON THE MONUMENT, TO LOOK AT AS WELL.

THESE TWO DRAGONS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ASLEEP

LEADENHALL MARKET

If your not too tired after walking to the top of The Monument. Continue walking North and keeping to the right and you will find yourself on Gracechurch Street. This ten minute walk will lead you Leadenhall Market. Like Holborn Viaduct, you will find a whole bunch of Dragons. But with most of these beasts you have to look upwards in your search.

ONE OF THE SEVERAL ENTRANCES INTO THE MARKET

Going right back to the 1st Century there is evidence of a basilica (law courts) and forum (market place) built on where Leadenhall Market stands today. After Romans left, much of London was left in ruins and little is known of its history throughout the Dark Ages. 

It is not until 1309 where the Manor of Leadenhall is first listed, as belonging to Sir Hugh Neville. By 1321, the area around Leadenhall manor is a known meeting place for poulterers. They are joined, in 1397 by cheesemongers. 

In 1411 the site is acquired by Richard 'Dick' Whittington, the mayor of London. The site grows in importance as a granary and a chapel are built to service those coming to the market. 

THE DRAGONS OF LEADENHALL, LOOK LIKE THEY ARE HOLDING THE ROOF UP.

In 1463, the beam for the tronage and weighing of wool is fixed at Leadenhall market, signifying its importance as a centre for commerce. In 1488 it is decided that leather is sold only from Leadenhall Market. 

In 1622, cutlery is made available only from Leadenhall Market. 

The Great Fire of 1666 destroys much of the city of London, including parts of the market. When it is rebuilt not long after, it becomes a covered structure for the first time and is divided into the Beef Market, the Green Yard and the Herb Market.

The building is knocked down again in 1881 and redesigned by Sir Horace Jones (architect of Billingsgate and Smithfield Markets). It is very interesting that Sir Horace Jones also has very similar dragons at the main market in Smithfield (see previous blog City of London Dragons, Part 2). Wrought iron and glass replace the previous stone structure.

A celebrated character in Leadenhall during the 18th century was 'Old Tom', a goose which managed to escape execution even though it is recorded that 34,000 geese were slaughtered there in two days. He became a great favourite in the market and was fed at the local inns. After his death in 1835 at the age of 38, he lay in state in the market and was buried there. In 1991, Leadenhall Market was extensively restored. Hollywood noticed the charms of Leadenhall, in 2001, when it is used as Diagon Alley, in the film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

 Sourses
http://www.leadenhallmarket.co.uk/
http://www.themonument.info/
http://www.jimbatty.com/articles/dragonphotos.html

NUNHEAD CEMETERY OPEN DAY 2012

THE LAD AT WORK

Here are some pictures from Nunhead Cemetery Open Day. I must admit the few days leading up to the event, I was pretty nervous. The thought of demonstrating letter carving in front of the general public and having to speak to lots of strangers at the same time filled me dread. But I need not of worried, on the whole things went really well. I had lots of good feed back and several people showed a real interest in my work, many of which took my business card. God willing, it may lead to some work in the future months, here's hoping. One thing that was a real concern was the great British weather. Ever since the hose pipe ban it hasn't stopped raining. Seasoned stall holders came prepared with gazeboes and the like, prepared for any eventuality. I on the other hand made do with prayer. Well I am pleased to say my prayers were answered and not a drop of rain landed all day. In many ways the weather was perfect not to hot and not to cold.

A big thank you, to all who came along and me there support. But a special thanks to Tim and Caroline Stevenson who gave me this opportunity. Nunhead Cemetery is such a beautiful place, one of the magnificent seven old cemeteries of London. Well worth a visit to spend a few hours looking round. www.fonc.org.uk.

On the day, I was carving GRACE (one of my lovely daughters who helped me on the day) into a very old and heavy piece of beach wood. It was one of the best woods I have found to carve so far. The finished result, is in my opinion my best and cleanest work so far.

RUACH - HEBREW CARVING

An artist, and friend of mine, Mr Robert Bain, has been experimenting with designs of Hebrew letter forms, in both classic and modern Hebrew. Robert has asked me if I would like to try and carve some of them. This is one of the them, the word RUACH.

Here Robert, using his own words, explains what the word RUACH means.

A brief explanation of the word RUACH itself, to help in our understanding of the ‘beauty’ of the Hebrew language, especially in its relation to THE WORD of GOD [ELOHIM].

All the Hebrew letters and words are from a basic formation of PICTOGRAMS, RUACH being no exception. Within the word RUACH there is a link in the combination of the letters relating to ‘man’ [REISH] and ‘working outside’ [CHET], these are joined by the ‘and’ or ‘add’ [WAW or VAV in modern Hebrew], leading to the following explanation, as given in The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, although there is much more of course.

The Hebrew nomads were very familiar with the wind patterns as they would follow a prescribed path indicating the coming season. From this word comes the idea of breath, as it is the wind of man, which also follows a prescribed path of inhaling and exhaling.

I used Oak to carve the image and inlaid the letters with Blue Variagated Gold Leaf Substitute - in other words poor man's gold leaf.

ANOTHER ONE OF ROBERTS DESIGNS - YACHAL MEANING HOPE

MAN OF LETTERS

www.carvedletters.co.uk

See me at Nunhead Cemetery Open Day, 19th May 2012

from 11am. to 5pm Free Admission

http://www.fonc.org.uk/open-day.html

Having got hold of this piece of euro oak, I wasn't sure what to do with it at first. I think the oak was a little green still, because it had several cracks in it, as it was still drying out. But I like wood that is not perfect, it has more character and you have to work with and around the faults.

LONDON DRAGONS - PART THREE - ST. GEORGE

My continued search for the Dragon’s of London. Brings me this week to those found on Borough High Street, the stretch of road that links the Elephant Castle with London Bridge, entrance gate to the City. This being the week we celebrate St. Georges, the dragons we see are all in some way link to St George. I must thank John Constable a local historian (see link at the bottom of the blog) who supplied some of the information gathered for this blog. 

ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON: 1458 – 1460 MUSÉE JACQUEMART-ANDRÉ

As we all know St George is the Patron saint of England. But he is not just special to the English but to many other nations around the world, including: Romania, Ethiopia and Greece. In Catalonia people give loved ones gifts of books and flowers on St. Georges Day. To the English St. George will always be associated with slaying the dragon.

The basic story is this. There is a wicked dragon, destroying the land, spreading pestilence and destruction wherever it breaths. To keep the monster away from their town the local people feed the dragon sheep. But this fails to satisfy its hunger and it is decided to sacrifice a young woman. They cast lots; and the lot falls on the King’s daughter and she is chosen. The King begs for her to be spared, in vain. The girl dressed as a bride, is led to the dragon’s lair and left to the mercy of the beast. But to her rescue comes a knight in shining armour, St George, comes riding to the rescue. Slays the dragon, and in some versions of the story marries the princess. 

In Christian history there are many that do battle with dragons or serpents. The most notable being Michael the archangel in the book of Reverlation, chapeter 12 we read “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”. This is the serpent, that turns up in the Garden of Eden, tempts Eve, and the fall of man, soon follows. The dragon continues to tempt man today, turning up in many disguises to tempt us all.

But we are looking at St. George and the dragon for this blog. The original St. George was a Christian martyr whom a Roman soldier, tortured and put to death by the Emperor, for refusing to sacrifice to his pagan gods. So St. George slaying the dragon symbolises Christianity’s power to over throw pagan traditions. Another example of this symbolism is found in winter becoming spring. The dragon is winter, cold, dark and deathly, making short our days. Then spring arrives (St. George), He puts winter to the sword, bringing light, life and resurrection. 

ST GEORGE THE MARTYR CHURCH, BOROUGH HIGH STREET 

ST GEORGE (LEFT) ST. MICHAEL AND THE GREEN DRAGON (RIGHT) 

ST GEORGE AND THE RED DRAGON

ST GEORGE AND DRAGON ON OLD WATER TANK 

In our trip up Borough High Street, in search of dragons we are starting off at the Elephant Castle end, at the church of St George the Martyr. This is one of the oldest churches in London, there has been a church here for almost a thousand years. In the time of the Crusades, it was the last stopping off point for the crusaders on their way to Jerusalem, who wanted a blessing from St. George. We can find three dragons inside on fantastic stain glass windows and on an old water tank. 

 

GREAT PUB SIGNAGE, GEORGE KILLING A RED AND GREEN DRAGON 

Continuing on up, the same side of the street, you come to The George Inn. This is London’s oldest galleried pub, which is owned by the National Trust. Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer and many others would of known the George Inn. It was one of the many Inn’s found along Borough High Street, the only point at the time where the Thames could be crossed. The place where weary and tired travellers could stop and rest, before they continue their journey to Canterbury or to wherever they were going. 

 

For our next stop we have to cross the road and where the road forks off we find the War Memorial. St George is also the Patron Saint of soldiers, archers and chivalry. Below the bronze soldier on the stone plinth we see St. George carved in stone.


Before we get to the end of our short journey, we pass this small passage that leads to the market. Is that a shadow of a real dragon I see, or just a trick of the light.

 

And so to the end of the journey at London Bridge and the dragons that guard the City of London, which I covered on my first blog about the boundary dragons. You will notice on the shield of the dragon a small sword. This is the sword of St. Paul, Patron saint of the City of London. 

The hunt continues, I will let you know when I find some more of these fantastic beasts.

More of John Constable 
www.crossbones.org.uk
www.southwarkmysteries.co.uk/john-constable

AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD

This is commission from my sister in law Felicity Whitton. The wood is Magnolia and It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. It has a lovely grain to the wood, but I found it not as easy to get the letters crisp. But once finished and polished it worked out OK. On reflection I decided to paint the letters gold, though in this picture it is not as clear as I would of liked.

I LIKE THIS PICTURE, THE CLAMP HAS MADE A SHADOW OF A CROSS.

THE BEAUTIFUL MAGNOLIA TREE IN FULL BLOOM

MY EVER INCREASING CHISEL COLLECTION

REST AWHILE

I had an idea for a children's bench, which could have a child's name carved into it. This bench is made from solid oak, which is lovely to carve. Oak is very expensive, but I managed to get a cheaper off cut to make this sample.