It’s long been the habit for monarchs around the world to receive some of the most incredible gifts. You only have to go to Windsor Castle to see some of the things our Royal Family have received over the centuries and apparently there are entire stores of more humdrum or precious objects. But what to get… Continue reading The strange story of the first Elephant in England
Tag: Tower of London
The Executioners Axe at the Tower of London
Despite being a guide of 10 years standing, I never used to go in the Tower of London very much. I don’t like crowds and I always felt having guide in an attraction was a bit surplus to requirements or something ‘anyone’ by that I suppose any guide could do. Thus spring and summer however… Continue reading The Executioners Axe at the Tower of London
The redemption of King Richard III and a new lead on the ‘Princes in the tower’
For a few centuries, King Richard III has been largely denigrated as perhaps the monarch without any merit whatsoever, even more so than bad King John… and that is saying something. He was ugly, he was deformed, he murdered his nephews. Even when we go to the toilet, some of us have a Richard III… Continue reading The redemption of King Richard III and a new lead on the ‘Princes in the tower’
Colonel Blood – The man who stole the Crown Jewels and lived to tell the tale!
The Crown Jewels have long been in one of the most secure locations in the world. Without giving too much away they are stored being bomb proof glass in rooms with over 100 hidden cameras and hi-tech security measures and all of this is inside what is effectively a giant walk-in stainless steel vault which… Continue reading Colonel Blood – The man who stole the Crown Jewels and lived to tell the tale!
The protected views of London
Before continuing with my series on London canalscanals, I thought it best to write a brief post on something not very well known but that nonetheless has played an important role in the modern development of London, namely protected views. London is far from the only city in Britain to have protected views, namely views… Continue reading The protected views of London
Crows, Ravens & Halloween
Over the years, I have written quite a few posts on Halloween related subjects such as Halloweens of past and present (updated) Top 10 Haunted places in the U.K. the fearful Spring Heeled Jack who wrought terror in mostly distant times and the Enfield Poltergeist who terrified a particular family in modern day London. This year I… Continue reading Crows, Ravens & Halloween