London Notes

Southwark Cathedral from Winchester Walk.

We wouldn't have seen this wonderful church if Denise hadn't done extensive research before we left Canada. There is almost no publicity to draw your attention to this, the oldest gothic church in London.

Thomas Becket preached at Southwark just before going to Canterbury Cathedral where he was assassinated. Both Chaucer and Shakespeare worshipped at Southwark. Chaucer used a pilgrimage from Southwark to Canterbury for his Canterbury Tales. Shakespeare is believed to have been present when John Harvard, founder of Harvard University, was baptized here in 1607. Dickens wrote of the appalling poverty and living conditions of the surrounding area.

This church seems to have suffered a remarkable amount of abuse and neglect during its thousand year history. In fact, it was very nearly demolished in the 1820s to make room for a new London Bridge. Today it is an active church offering five services every day.

Looking east along the north aisle.

The nave.

left: Memorial for Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) author of 'The Vicar of Wakefield' (1766) and 'She Stoops to Conquer'. He is believed to be the author of 'The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes', the source of the phrase "goody two-shoes".
top-right: Polychrome effigy. No notes.
bottom-right: The rather macabre looking monument to William Shakespeare. Shakespeare's brother is buried somewhere in the church.