Pages

Friday 29 May 2009

Skywatch Friday - Heads Hang with Pride

The gateway to London, actually I think there were several gates into the city of London, however this one stood on what is now the dividing line between the Stand and Fleet St. The old gate, known as the Temple Bar, had a prison above it and if you upset the king you'd have your head lopped of and stuck on a spike from the top arch of the gate.
For a variety of reasons but mainly to widen the road, the gate was taken down and put into storage. In its place this statue of a griffin was erected.
Don't be surprised if its eyes are miniature security cameras.
Over 120 years later in 2004 the gate has been re-erected at Paternoster Square

As always on Fridays be sure to visit other skywatchers around the world.

14 comments:

Angie said...

My trusty little book 'London for Everyman' (1956 & not very PC!) says the old gate was threatened to be removed in 1787 & again in 1921.
Wonder why a griffin?

Angie said...

Whoops – forgot to say a very atmospheric & dramatic photo.

Anna said...

The Griffin looks like he's about to take to the sky. Great shot.

Maria Grazia said...

Quite spooky, indeed! and those clouds...Sublime... Do you know?
"Sublime= horrible beauty"?It makes me think of gothic stories. Great.

Sanna said...

Wonderful photo. I love getting the history that surrounds it too. Nice touch. =)

Greg Dimitriadis said...

Super photo! I love the tiny patch of blue sky!

magiceye said...

lovely photograph and amazing story

Dave said...

Thanks some good info here.

jabblog said...

Dramatic photo - great.

��Radio Mihalis Thalassis - Athens Greece said...

Good morning, I send best chares.Michalis

The Lone Beader® said...

This sky is awesome!

Rob said...

Quite the foreboding mood in this photo. Very nice!

Donna (Texas) said...

How beautiful!! Wish I could see it in Real time!lol

Ken Mac said...

have you read London Orbital? The author has some striking things to say about the TEmple Bar.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...