London Stone 111 Cannon Street
London
The London Stone in December
2005.
The advertising has since been removed
The
London Stone is a
stone that is said to be the place from which
the
Roman measured all distances in
Britannia.
It is now set within a stone surround and
iron grill on Cannon
Street
, in the City of London
.
History
Whether or
not this is true, the London Stone was for many hundreds of years
recognised as the symbolic authority and heart of the City of London. It was the place where deals were forged
and oaths were sworn. It was also the point from which official
proclamations were made.
Jack Cade,
popular leader of those who rebelled against
Henry VI in 1450, observed the tradition
by striking his sword against it as a symbol of sovereignty after
his forces entered London; on striking the stone, he then felt
emboldened to declare himself "Lord of the City".
The Stone was originally situated in the middle of Cannon Street
and was much larger than it is now.
Later the Stone was set into the wall of
St Swithin's
Church
which was on this site before it was bombed during
the Second World War (the Stone
remarkably left unscathed).
The stone is still on display opposite Cannon Street station
although rather inconspicuously situated. The stone and box, with
iron grille, were designated a Grade II*
listed structure on 5 June 1972. There is
also a pub nearby called "The London Stone", which is run by the
Eerie Pub Company.
Like the
Ravens of the Tower of
London
, there is a myth that states the Stone's safety is
linked to that of the city itself; "So long as the stone of
Brutus is safe, so long shall London flourish". This
relates to the myth that the stone was part of an altar built by
Brutus of Troy, the legendary founder
of London.
In fiction
The London Stone is a prominent setting in
Charlie Fletcher's children's book about
"unLondon",
Stoneheart.
See also
The
nearest London
Underground station is Cannon Street
. It
is also a National
Rail station.
References
External links
Wikis
Quiz
Map
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