London Snapshot- 12 February 2019

Obviously you can expect that there will be countless full posts of my trip, sharing all of the history that I’m discovering and learning. However, I did want to share some of it as I go, as I know many of you have been following along my planning from the beginning. I have been sharing on my Instagram, as well as my Facebook page, but I will be sharing snapshots here as well during the trip. (All different things, so you won’t get overlap!) This snapshot was a discovery from my first day back in London when I was in Southwark, and was a bit of a surprise…

This very casual lounging William Shakespeare can be found in Southwark Cathedral. Now, if you know your Shakespeare, you will know that he is buried in Stratford-upon-Avon and not in London. However, the reconstructed Globe Theatre is also in Southwark, as well the spot where the original Globe sat. I thought this an exceptionally playful memorial, and well suited to a man who played with words! The memorial itself was only created in 1912, so it isn’t as old as the Bard himself. (Although 107 years isn’t a bad start.)

You may ask what is in his hand there- it is a sprig of rosemary. Ophelia tells her brother in Hamlet that it is for remembrance, which is a suitable nod to one of his most famous plays. I would like to believe that local actors come and place the rosemary to honour Shakespeare, but I’m not actually sure who puts it there. (If you know, please let me know below!)

I thought that given that he isn’t buried there, this was the perfect way to remember the most infamous resident of Southwark. What is your favourite literary memorial?

Cheers,
The Historian
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