Every city in the world is home to a million pieces of history, but London in particular is rich. Every street and lane has a story to tell, and you would never be able to guess from its modern-day appearance. And Southwark in particular is known for having a particularly rich history of interesting events. Although it is known for its literary and brewing history, there is more than meets the eye there. In 1850, there an attack on Park Street in Southwark, and it wasn’t your typical attack…
I spent an hour and a half learning about Southwark’s incredible history with Katie from Look Up London, and I could easily spend another week! It is a fascinating borough, and well worth a visit. I was originally interested because of the Chaucer connections, but it is so much more interesting than I thought. Wander down Park Street and you will find yourself at the site of an international incident…
Known for his particularly cruel and sadistic choices, General Julius Jacob von Haynau was an Austrian general. Responsible for a Hungarian rebellion, he hung well over 100 people, continued with brutal attacks long after the rebellion, and even whipped women. There were no boundaries for his cruelty, and it was well-known across Europe. You don’t get the name “The Austrian Butcher” for no reason…
And he was so well-known that Londoners were well-acquainted with him. He decided to take a retirement trip to England in 1850, and happened to end up in Southwark. He walked to the Anchor Brewery, still a popular location for tourists today, and tried to walk back to his lodgings. However, he somewhat stupidly signed his name in the guest book, and had helpfully kept his appearance and clothing much the same as in the reports that Londoners had heard. He was beaten by a mob of locals in Southwark, including having his clothes ripped off, a broom beaten over his back until it broke, manure thrown at him, and a hay bale dropped on him. Don’t underestimate the furore of Southwark.
Did you know the history of Park Street in Southwark?
Cheers,
The Historian
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Talk about a bad night – although I can’t blame the people who went after him. He sounded like a brutal and horrible man! That is one thing I love about Europe – so much history everywhere you turn!
You think you are going to relax and have a beer annnnnnd you get beaten to a pulp! And I do wish that Canada has as much hidden (and not so hidden) history as Europe!