Mad Bulls and Dead Meat: Smithfield Market as Reality and Symbol
The Changing Feel of Smithfield
Smithfield is one of London’s most historic districts—but not it’s best known or most visited—which is sad bcause within it’s boundaries is one of Lodon’s oldest churches, same rare Jacobean houses—a bit of tht pesky Roman Wall and don’t forget a rare Ionly one left is central London) a surviving food market.
As I mentioned in the titl today—it’s history —-as one must expectfor those long gone by histories are very bloody—-
Wat Tyler’s Rebellion
First and most famous involves a rebellion and it’s leader Wat Tyler who brought his angry followers to London as that is where the king—a quite young Richard II resided—–the rebels gained entry to the capital with the help of the citizens of the city and burned some major buildings before they were met by the king (who was only in his early teens) to discuss the tax reduction and their servatude that was so affecting these poor people’s lives. They ended talking in Smthfield where Richard and his group gained the upper hand and managed to kill Wat Turner—-for a more in depth account of that click above.
Peasants’ Revolt Plaque Unveiled In Smithfield
Lost Worlds: Braveheart’s Scotland and William Wallace (S1, E11) | Full Episode | History
Prior to this a Scottish Patriot: William Wallace—was seriously mutulated here in the market area (rememeber Mel Gibson in Braveheart—yes now you got it)——
He was first tried at Westminster —-there’s a monument there—-after being found guilty and stripped down he was dragged to Smithfield where he was executed- drawn and quartered, his male equipment removed and finally beheaded-near St Barthomews—which also bears a plaque—–yes it had been there for a while at that time. Then
and finally his
were scattered about the land.
William Wallace Memorial
John Rogers – the first of the “Marian martyrs” – is burned at the stake in Smithfield (1555)
Finally there was Henry VIII’s Daughter, Mary who seemed to carry on her father’s bloody use of the axe—-only she had Protestant killed for their beliefs—-and these murdered persons who were called the Marian martyrs were executed all over the land but in London these executions were carried out at Smithfield as well.
‘Smooth Field’ – a wander around Smithfield
115 Charterhouse St.
Smithfield
This pub use to have early hours to satisfy the worker’s at the near by Smithfield market.
It has been fancied up and reopeen from that time. The pub (Grade II was closed in 1993—–It was bought at that time by one of the founders of th Malmaison Hotel Chain. When it was reopened it had an improved menu ands hotel was added with 6 luxury bed room. The small hotel is said not to have affection the pub.
This buildin which dates to the 17th c contains remnants of the medieval monestary and a school where John Wesley studied.
The Charterhouse is seperated from the square by an ancient wall and ached gateway. Originally a Carthusian monastery (14th c),
There was also a school here (prestigious and very expensive from what I’ve read) which moved to Surrey in 1812 leaving the place to the penniless old men.
There use to be a tour here ocassionally but more recently they have opened the gardens (which sets on the site of the original 14th c monastic chapel with the low tomb of monesatry founder Si Walter de Manney–there is a museum and programs given as well as various tours during the week—and it still cares for the old gentlemen.
Oh you really can’t miss the main gate–the same wood door to which Henry VIII —-the hands nailed here of the last Abott that refused to give the site up when Henry took over the monestary as part of his dissolution. (some acounts state here was hung here when he was drawn and quartred—but most historical accounts say that he was cut up at the Tower (which was typical—if not inside then more likely fo a peasant on tower hill. The king’s pople (under Henry VIII still) used the area here to lodge persons with business with th crown—like some musicans who were providing entertainment for the king and his guests.
Ancient Historical London Sites -The Charterhouse
Damaged in the Blitz but havee been rstored and some medieval and
16 century fabric rmains.
The school buildings on th site of a former monastic cloister bcame
the home of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical School—-still there
but much re-developed. Also The London Queen Mary’s School of
Medicine and Dentistry.
Charterhouse now has 40 male pensionerrs, known as Brothers. It’s
annual income is in excess of 3 million pounds.
Start out along Charterhouse Square heading north
From 1133 to 1855 Smithfield was the location of Bartholomew Fair—one of London’s summer fairs–opening on August 24th. as a trading event for cloth and other goods–a four-day event which drew all classes of society. It was supressed in 1855 by the City for encouraging public disorder and Smithfield Market wa built on the site.
We’ll reach our destination after 61 yards.
Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: London’s Bloody Past
Meet with kings, body snatchers, an eighteenth century ghost, and William Wallace (and learn why he was in no fit state to shout “Freeedooom!”)
On our guided walking tour we’ll visit the areas around Smithfield, for centuries London’s site of both animal and human slaughter. We’ll learn about how the city disposed of the tens of thousands of Black Death corpses in the fourteenth century, the execution methods used in the Middle Ages, and how the area became a notorious slum which Dickens used as the setting for Oliver Twist.
The guided walking tour begins outside Barbican Station, ends near to Farringdon Station, and will take around two hours. Total distance is about two miles.
Most cities offer these and it is a tour usually by an experienced guide: Click below to see what other tours Historical London Tours offer and how much they charge:
https://historiclondontours.com/gallery-%26-video
Credit…Tolga Akmen/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Exploremore
Content pageDate created: 9/02/2021Download the Exploremore app and begin discovering the secrets, history and hidden gems the City of London has to offer through guided walks.
Self-guided walks and trails
Click here for a bit about available tours.
This site has a bit more flexible agenda for you as well as more structued tours with themes from Harry Potter to the Beatles—there are 20 and these are up for purchase—-but while you pay—you do get the freedom of doing them on your own.
Custom Walk: Create Your Own Walking Tour
How it works: Download the app “GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities” from iTunes App Store or Google Play to your mobile phone or tablet. Each walk comes with a detailed tour map as well as photos and background information for the featured attractions. The app’s navigation functions guide you from one attraction to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.