Some facts about famous londoners

London has been the home of many famous Englishmen. Some were born there. Some lived there all their lives. Others lived in London only for a short time but all gave something to this great city.

One of the first names of importance is that of Geoffrey Chaucer, the poet. He lived most of his life in London. He knew the courts of King Richard II and King Henry IV. His most famous work, “The Canterbury Tales”, opens at the Tabard Inn, in Southward. Chaucer held official posts in London and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

William Shakespeare also lived in London. He lived there for more than twenty years. He acted at the Globe Theatre and wrote his plays in London. But London's famous men are not only writers. Sir Christopher Wren, the architect, spent most of his life in London. He designed many beautiful churches, including St. Paul's Cathedral. He also designed palaces and fine houses.

Another famous London figure is one of the England's greatest seamen, Admiral Lord Nelson. He has a very special memorial in Trafalgar Square. The monument consists of a very tall column. On top of it stands a figure of Nelson. It is called the Nelson Column. Equally famous is the general who led the army at the battle of Waterloo in 1815.

The tower

The history of London is closely connected with the Tower. They say that London is the key to England and the Tower is the key to London. The Tower is one of the most ancient buildings of London. It was founded by William the Conqueror. For many centuries the Tower has served as a fortress, a palace, a state prison and a royal treasury, now it is a museum.

The grey stones of the Tower could tell terrible stories of violence and injustice. Many saddest and cruelest events took place within the walls of the Tower. It was here that Thomas More, the greatest humanist, was falsely accused and condemned to death. Many people were executed there. Some ravens, whose forefathers used to find blood in the Tower, still live here. There is a legend that the Tower will fall if it loses its ravens. The birds therefore are carefully guarded. On a hill on the green lawn stands the main White Tower (1078), the oldest and the most important building.

One can see the Crown Jewels in the Wakefield Tower and a valuable collection of arms and amour in the White Tower.

The Tower is guarded by the Yeoman Warders (also known as Beefeaters). Their uniform is black and red. Every night at 10 p.m. at the Tower the Ceremony of the Keys or locking up the Tower for the night takes place.

St. Paul's cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral is a masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren, the England's great architect. The Cathedral was built between 1675 and 1710 to replace the old Cathedral that was largely destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666.

From far away you can see the huge dome with a golden ball and cross on the top. The inside of the Cathedral is very beautiful. After looking round, you can climb 263 steps to the Whispering Gallery, which runs round the dome. It is called so, because if someone whispers close to the wall of one side, a person with his ear close to the wall on the other side can hear what is said. Then if you climb another 118 steps, you will be able to stand outside the dome and look over London.

Among the great cathedrals of the world St. Paul's is unique in that it was conceived by one man and built under his supervision during his life time. For 35 years the building of St. Paul's Cathedral went on, and Wren was an old man before it was finished. As far as Christopher Wren is concerned he found his acknowledgement and fame only after his death. He was buried in the Cathedral. His tomb carries now an inscription in Latin which in English reads, “Reader, if you seek his monument look around you…”