Video není dostupné.
Omlouváme se.

A History of London through Fascinating Street Names

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 18. 06. 2021
  • You are welcome to join me for another fascinating online talk, exploring a history of London through various weird and wonderful street names.
    Lombards setting up shop 900 years ago in Lombard Street, the ghost of a Roman 'barbacane' watchtower in Barbican, the candle-makers of Cannon Street, religious monks and nuns in Crutched Friars and Mincing Lane, medieval knights riding out to joust along (you guessed it) Knightrider Street....and many many more!
    Any donations welcome!:
    Paypal: calcuttet77@hotmail.com
    If you’re interested in knowing about my other tours and how to join live (instead of watching afterwards on CZcams), and to be notified in the future, feel free to check out my various platforms:
    Facebook:
    / edwardstours
    Meetup:
    www.meetup.com/Fun-and-Fascin...
    Eventbrite:
    edwardstours.eventbrite.co.uk

Komentáře • 317

  • @sicks6six
    @sicks6six Před 2 lety +115

    I worked in London for a few years back in 80s-90s, Commuting from the north, We would work Sunday mornings with the afternoon off, so we would wander around the city, it was deserted except for the people who live there, most pubs and shops closed, I found loads of amazing places, little courtyards and squares, tiny narrow pedestrian only streets, great architecture and street names, the average person would never know they are there if just visiting, It's like a hidden city,

    • @SophyaAgain
      @SophyaAgain Před 2 lety +11

      84 Charing Cross Road: [Helene Hanff in cinema, watching "Brief Encounter", thinking to herself] Please write and tell me about London. I live for the day when I step off the boat-train and feel it's dirty sidewalks under my feet. I want to walk up Berkeley Square, and down Wimpole Street. And stand in St. Paul's where John Donne preached And sit on the step Elizabeth sat on when she refused to enter the Tower, and places like that. A newspaper man I know who was stationed in London during the war says that tourists go to England with preconceived notions, so they always find exactly what they are looking for. I told him I'd go looking for the England of English literature. And he said that it's there.

    • @keepgoing1973
      @keepgoing1973 Před 2 lety +1

      Nobody lives in the city. The people you saw were probably office cleaners.

    • @kevinjamesparr552
      @kevinjamesparr552 Před 2 lety +1

      I worked for Harrods when owned by Sir Hugh Frazer. Must be 1967 -70 I too from Windermere in the north. I had something of your experience of London too. I went back to London shopping and found it over run with peoples on Strand ,Oxford Street and Trafalgar areas . I retired in 2016 and left UK as too expensive .Built house and English gardens abroad

    • @MichaelKingsfordGray
      @MichaelKingsfordGray Před 2 lety

      You lie about your real name: I don't believe you.

    • @koleyw932
      @koleyw932 Před 2 lety

      Love this. Love London, wonderful historic city.

  • @lilmandan96
    @lilmandan96 Před 2 lety +61

    Excellent, I was a cycle courier in London for 18 years ( know every street and alleyway ) and to get a history lesson like this is 'magic' thank you👌

  • @wendischofield4543
    @wendischofield4543 Před 10 měsíci +4

    What a really well-presented and narrated documentary. Thank you very much!

  • @admiralbenbow5083
    @admiralbenbow5083 Před 10 měsíci +4

    Having a Swedish Mum I often wondered whether there was a connection between The Strand and the word for beach, but I always thought it was a bit too far from the river. You have just put me right.

  • @EvilUnderTone
    @EvilUnderTone Před 2 lety +30

    Very interesting. I'm a clock restorer. Knightrider street was known as "Little Knightrider Street" until the late 19th century. I had a lovely English Fusee clock with that address on the dial.

  • @johnfarley4201
    @johnfarley4201 Před rokem +3

    Wonderful company, fascinating and such a treat. Thank you for posting.

  • @ljbonner
    @ljbonner Před 2 lety +20

    Perfect video; enjoyed immensely. I worked off Fleet Street for few years, at nights, in the Solicitors Law Society press hall printing parliamentary documents overnight. During our lunch break we would sometimes wander around the back alleys climbing forbidden railings to see where places went and in the '70's we didn't get arrested as terrorists. We would also go into the Daily Mirror building across the road that fronted onto Fleet Street and get a good meal, cheap, in their canteen. On an early Friday morning some of us would go to the meat market for weekend fare and sink a pint in the public house that was open (only!) for market porters. Miss the ancient history; although, where I am now, the first Australians can go back 50,000 years.

  • @freedpeeb
    @freedpeeb Před 2 lety +9

    This was like having a little holiday break this afternoon. Thank you! So enjoyable.

  • @janecroft4896
    @janecroft4896 Před 2 lety +12

    I enjoyed this very much, thank you Edward. I lived in London in the 70’s and I found it fascinating as I knew nothing of this. You have a lovely natural way of communicating which I like and a good sense of humour😁 Glad to have found you.

  • @maureenlinglephotography2538

    Thank you so much for sharing. Hearing the historical details really puts the different areas of London into context. So interesting!

  • @paulevans3827
    @paulevans3827 Před 2 lety +10

    Hi this is an outstanding piece of work I am so pleased I clicked on it just by chance is so well put together it must’ve taken you forever thank you so much for taking the time to produce such a professional piece of work well done👏👏🇬🇧🇬🇧

  • @kimclarke5018
    @kimclarke5018 Před 2 lety +11

    Know that I’m a year late but this was utterly fascinating 🧐. Thank you for the history lesson. Enjoyed your video, well done 👍

  • @Richard-fv7rq
    @Richard-fv7rq Před 2 lety +8

    London is a fascinating, rich in history city. Knew snippets of what you have spoken about but I have learnt a lot more!

  • @freddiehansen7324
    @freddiehansen7324 Před 2 lety +5

    Thank you ! That was an interesting selection of history in street name form :) Haven't been to London since the late '90's (unfortunately) so a "tour" is always lovely.

  • @theharpsichordofmozart4258

    I'm a new visitor to your channel and found it wonderfully educational! Incidentally, I was born in Soho and have a genuine affinity to London.

  • @ryans756
    @ryans756 Před 2 lety +7

    Superbly interesting and well documented video! It came up on my home page, presumably because I enjoy videos about history among other things, and I thought "That looks interesting! I'll save that to my Watch Later list." Very glad I did!
    Well I'm only halfway through the video. I assume the second half is just as fascinating.

  • @BlueSaphire70
    @BlueSaphire70 Před rokem +1

    This was a most excellent chat! I thoroughly enjoyed learning all the quirky details about London street names. Thank you so much for posting this!

  • @Aengus42
    @Aengus42 Před 2 lety +19

    You missed out the original name of Threadneedle Street. It too was a place of ill repute called Gropecunt Lane. Eminently descriptive and i think my favourite old London street name!

    • @edwardcalcutt3417
      @edwardcalcutt3417  Před 2 lety +5

      Or Sherbourne Lane in the city, which used to be Shiteburne, but was changed to make it sound nicer!

    • @Aengus42
      @Aengus42 Před 2 lety +2

      @@edwardcalcutt3417 god bless Thomas Crapper eh? 😆

    • @andypayne2743
      @andypayne2743 Před 2 lety +1

      Passing Alley in Farringdon too

    • @sm3296
      @sm3296 Před 2 lety

      😱

    • @Aengus42
      @Aengus42 Před 2 lety +1

      @@sm3296 There were many Gropecunt lanes, roads etc. across the country. They worked the same as Market Street, Chandler Road or or Mill lane. The name of the road became known for the goods and... ahem, services were available down that particular thoroughfare.

  • @mariadange06
    @mariadange06 Před 2 lety +3

    Thank you so much. A really interesting narrative on the origins of London Street names... 🙏

  • @carolynshore737
    @carolynshore737 Před 2 lety +9

    I lived in a street in Tuai, New Zealand called Rotton Row, and was told it was a street in London. I have just Googled it. Very interesting, and a lovely street alongside Hyde Park and used by royalty, and was lit up at night by torches to discourage highway robbers, before street lighting was an everyday thing g!

    • @Berry-fr5wj
      @Berry-fr5wj Před rokem

      Rotten Row , Hyde Park believed to be a corruption of La Route du Roi, or King’s Road, Another likely possibility as to the name comes from the materials of the road made of a mix of gravel and crushed tree bark to create a firm, yet pliable surface. Some definitions of “rotten” are”friable,” “soft” or “yielding” which describes the surface ideal for horses’ feet and legs.

  • @imranh5395
    @imranh5395 Před 2 lety +5

    Many thanks, Edward!
    Even though I grew up in London, I found this video fascinating and very enlightening.

  • @jeffreydickman7387
    @jeffreydickman7387 Před 2 lety +2

    Very enjoyable, interesting and informative. Thank you very much.

  • @pamelafayesmith1130
    @pamelafayesmith1130 Před 2 lety +1

    Very informative, thankyou for taking the time to bring it together

  • @tonysmith7827
    @tonysmith7827 Před 2 lety +3

    what a fantastic video I thank you for taking the time to do it absolutely brilliant more please

  • @sheltr9735
    @sheltr9735 Před 2 lety +2

    Absolutely fascinating!
    Tremendous information, extremely well put together, flawlessly presented
    Thank you!!!!

  • @edl6398
    @edl6398 Před 2 lety +9

    Great video. I’m a dedicated Anglophile from the States and really enjoyed learning the origins of the words and history of the street names. Another testimony to the UK’s exceptional history.

    • @kellmac
      @kellmac Před 2 lety +2

      Same here. England's history is fascinating!

    • @theofarmmanager267
      @theofarmmanager267 Před 2 lety +2

      I’m English, live in the south east in Kent and spent many years working in central London. I think that most cities in most countries of Europe have fascinating history. What makes the UK more accessible is of course the common language (well, it was the same until Americans got hold of it). If anyone from the States is coming to the South East and can give me their general interests (galleries, museums, country houses etc.) I’d be happy to come up with a list of places for the travellers to consider visiting.

  • @chrisdesu
    @chrisdesu Před 2 lety +15

    This was really fascinating! Thanks for all the work put into it. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

  • @vickiparadice3769
    @vickiparadice3769 Před 2 lety +2

    Really well done thanks for the time and energy to put it together.

  • @simonbullimore1807
    @simonbullimore1807 Před 2 lety +1

    Fantastic tour... learned so much. Very well presented. I look forward to more.

  • @leoragaster4592
    @leoragaster4592 Před 2 lety +2

    That was a great video. Lovely narration and fascinating content. Thank you!

  • @rebeckahblewett6873
    @rebeckahblewett6873 Před 2 lety +1

    I'm so happy I found your channel and videos! Absolutely a delight to listen to your lectures. Thank you for doing them! I've subscribed and now looking forward to more!

  • @rogercook6360
    @rogercook6360 Před 6 měsíci

    Fascinating and most interesting !... It's appreciated time the time you must have spent researching and producing this video.

  • @petersimpson633
    @petersimpson633 Před rokem +1

    Fascinating video, many thanks for sharing it

  • @andreaandrea6716
    @andreaandrea6716 Před 2 lety +1

    This was absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much!

  • @paulaburtenshaw197
    @paulaburtenshaw197 Před 2 lety +1

    i am pleased to find your you tube channel edward. thank you for putting together these very interesting and informative videos.

  • @helenhoffman310
    @helenhoffman310 Před 6 měsíci

    Quite the best "tour" of auld, sometimes very old, London - superbly presented in a clear, relaxed, literate yet historical context. I'm left amused, profoundly respectful of the overlay of history, chuffed to be better educated. Thank you, Mr Calcutt, for this delightful sojourn. I'll be checking out your channel forthwith!

  • @nachel6306
    @nachel6306 Před 2 lety +2

    Interestingly explaining! Thanks a lot! It makes me love London more and more!

  • @sumitaadam
    @sumitaadam Před 7 měsíci

    What an awesome and well prepared presentation.loved the comparison of the old and new london in each place 👏👏👏👏👏

  • @jude4381
    @jude4381 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you very much for presenting this, it was so interesting!

  • @RedcoatsReturn
    @RedcoatsReturn Před 2 lety +5

    Truly excellent history! 😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😊 I love to visit London and explore it, so this was very educational and helpful😊👍👍

  • @gerrystevens9041
    @gerrystevens9041 Před 2 lety +1

    A fascinating programme. beautifully filmed. thank you.

  • @sulmansohailfarooqui
    @sulmansohailfarooqui Před 2 lety +6

    I was absolutely rivetted by the narration !! It was very enjoyable and I've saved it so that I can go back to watch it again. I cycle to London from Enfield for pleasure and love exploring the different areas of the square mile. You've given me so many new places to visit !! Thank you.

  • @icatz
    @icatz Před 2 lety +2

    I love your videos. I used to live in Berkshire and went to London often but it's so overwhelming that it's really easy to miss these things and even if not, to know their origin stories. Thank you. 💖🏏

  • @claire6258
    @claire6258 Před 2 lety +7

    Fascinating stuff, thank you! I love the juxtaposition between old and new architecture in London too, I find it evokes a sense of pride in the rich history of the city and the fact that it’s still vibrant today. Although of course not all of the history is either to be remembered favourably or worthy of any sense of pride whatsoever… nevertheless exploring the origin of these strange place names is so interesting. ☺️

  • @nocomment4642
    @nocomment4642 Před 3 měsíci

    Super interesting.I enjoyed every second of that. Thank you !!

  • @philipfowke7074
    @philipfowke7074 Před rokem

    Many thanks for your fascinating talks. Most informative and presented in a very natural and communicative way.

  • @poladelarosa8399
    @poladelarosa8399 Před 2 lety +1

    Well done! Many thanks for an interesting angle of presenting history.

  • @jamesharris9029
    @jamesharris9029 Před 2 lety +10

    Fantastic history, simply told and presented, like a good book that you can't put down, l couldn't stop watching. I worked in Fleet St years ago.
    Thank you.

  • @carolynb.7455
    @carolynb.7455 Před 2 lety +1

    Really interesting tour around London's streets. Thank you!

  • @donnavorce8856
    @donnavorce8856 Před 2 lety

    Thank you for a wonderful presentation.

  • @kennethruncimanannand8901

    CONGRATULATIONS - on a fascinating lecture. Best wishes. Kenneth.

  • @madiba1975
    @madiba1975 Před 2 lety

    Great video, just popped up in my recommended! Really interesting, thank you.

  • @zoebell1535
    @zoebell1535 Před 2 lety +1

    Wonderful Edward, thank you. I live in California so this is quite another world. The present architecture looks so prosaic and dull next to your pictures of the past, I think. Maybe many people feel like that about whatever their contemporary architecture and time are like. Thank you 🌿

  • @SparkyTunes
    @SparkyTunes Před 2 lety

    This video is excellent! the history of the names behind these streets are fascinating :) how interesting :) thank you

  • @laurissimano2585
    @laurissimano2585 Před 2 lety +1

    I really enjoyed. Watched 3 times in a row.

  • @euronick61
    @euronick61 Před rokem

    I thoroughly enjoyed that Edward .. I shall subscribe and watch you other videos .. I lived in London between 1994 and 2006 and used to love going exploring all the old rads and yards and obscure areas .... thank you

  • @komorebi3055
    @komorebi3055 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you. This was most enjoyable, I worked in the City in the eighties. Wonderful times.

  • @welshblush
    @welshblush Před 2 lety

    fantastic work! I loved every minute.

  • @gretabridal
    @gretabridal Před 2 lety

    Wowza! What a fab collection, explanation/narration ☆☆☆☆☆

  • @cyndiknapp4904
    @cyndiknapp4904 Před 2 lety +3

    Well done and very interesting.

  • @kellymead5585
    @kellymead5585 Před 2 lety +2

    Fantastic video. Thoroughly enjoyed

  • @avagrego3195
    @avagrego3195 Před rokem +1

    Fascinating - thank you.

  • @carrelin
    @carrelin Před 6 měsíci

    Loved this…thanks so much.

  • @QuBoadicea69
    @QuBoadicea69 Před 2 lety +15

    I sure wish there were more videos like this, with great illustrations and fascinating narration

    • @edwardcalcutt3417
      @edwardcalcutt3417  Před 2 lety +2

      Thank you Linda!

    • @rbrown6476
      @rbrown6476 Před 2 lety +1

      Amen! History is wonderfully interesting and absorbing, when delivered this way.

  • @donnaganey6430
    @donnaganey6430 Před rokem +1

    Throughly enjoyed the video, thank you! Live in North Carolina, US and have always wanted to visit London. Don’t know if I will ever get the chance but feel like I have had an excellent tour having seen your post! So again, thank you!

  • @conitorres9774
    @conitorres9774 Před rokem

    This was wonderful. I did enjoy learning about the streets and their names. I love London and have been to visit 3 times. Wish I had known some of these names before. A great job 👏 Thank you.

  • @desssval
    @desssval Před 2 lety +1

    Informative and intelligent video. Thank you.

  • @TheBlondeSunset
    @TheBlondeSunset Před 2 lety +2

    Great video, fascinating subject

  • @noeldoyle4501
    @noeldoyle4501 Před 8 měsíci

    Thanks for your great video.

  • @dontstart8440
    @dontstart8440 Před 2 lety

    really enjoyed this, cheers

  • @yanusz1963
    @yanusz1963 Před rokem

    Thank you I like your material it is with a pinch of humour that's why isn't boring 😉 👏

  • @joereedmusic9853
    @joereedmusic9853 Před 2 lety

    Thank you. Quiet enjoyable.

  • @amanitamuscaria7500
    @amanitamuscaria7500 Před 2 lety

    Fabulous. I used to walk from Bank to St Paul's in my lunch hour, when the weather was fine.....or slope into the Green Man if it wasn't. Happy days. Many thanks

  • @joanware6473
    @joanware6473 Před rokem +1

    That was very interesting thank you.

  • @Obiter3
    @Obiter3 Před 2 lety

    That was great, nicely done

  • @JP-su8bp
    @JP-su8bp Před 2 lety

    Solid presentation, thank you.

  • @kirstymackenzie2437
    @kirstymackenzie2437 Před 2 lety +1

    Remember getting off the tube at Aldwych in the sixties to work at Holborn at a solicitors. Didn’t realise they had closed the line as I don’t live in London now.
    Thanks for this very interesting video.

  • @prakkari
    @prakkari Před rokem +3

    I have a theory about the name London. The Lon comes from Lón wich is a lake or a small reservoir and don from tún which means a field or pasture. I’m Icelandic and the etymology fits for me. Icelandic is not only norse but in large part Celtic. Lóntún means the field by the lake or water.

    • @Bix21-z3f
      @Bix21-z3f Před 9 měsíci

      Proto-Celtic *Londinyom (“place that floods”)

  • @michaelplanchunas3693
    @michaelplanchunas3693 Před 2 lety +5

    There is a legend about King Lud, he is supposed to have been the father of King Lear. A history of Aviation states that there were several early legends of flight in ancient times. The story is that King Lud thought that he could fly, and one day climbed the Temple of Apollo in London. He then threw himself off the tower and killed himself. Lear was supposedly crowned the next day.

  • @whyohwhy3407
    @whyohwhy3407 Před 2 lety +3

    I adore my city- and adore working in London (Shaftesbury Avenue) would not swap it for all the tea in China! And I love tea😂

  • @CouncilOfWolves
    @CouncilOfWolves Před 2 lety

    Interesting video. Thank you.

  • @rogerstevens7747
    @rogerstevens7747 Před 2 lety +2

    Really enjoyed this!!

  • @bobnewmanknott3433
    @bobnewmanknott3433 Před 2 lety

    Thank you so much for a wonderful vidio entertaining and informative

  • @williamtaylor9966
    @williamtaylor9966 Před 2 lety +1

    While not perhaps relevant to ‘the History of London through it’s Streets’ I was delighted to find during my family history research, that a street name in the Islington area, Beversbrook Road (1884) was, according to ‘Streets with a story’ by Eric A Willats (Islington Local History & Education Society - 1986), named after my Great Great Grandmother’s family home in rural Wiltshire, ‘Beversbrook’.
    Built by her father, an Architect and at one time the Wiltshire County Surveyor. When she moved from this house on marriage to my Great Great Grandfather in 1861, they moved ‘up to London’, to the Islington area (he had a Medical Practice and Hospital Consultancy) and named their London home ‘Beversbrook’.
    This house was most likely demolished, but the name ‘lived on’ as a road, probably to the total puzzlement of past and present residents!

  • @Silva-je3bu
    @Silva-je3bu Před 2 lety

    Very interesting tour. Thank you.

  • @leikilimaile2565
    @leikilimaile2565 Před 2 lety

    Wonderful tour thank you

  • @georgewestwater3082
    @georgewestwater3082 Před 2 lety

    Fantastic and well done. Very interesting.

  • @rayharford9194
    @rayharford9194 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you Edward, I thoroughly enjoyed your tour..................Ray in Dublin

  • @cecilecochet6198
    @cecilecochet6198 Před rokem +1

    Brilliant ! 😊

  • @theofarmmanager267
    @theofarmmanager267 Před 2 lety +1

    Just about the perfect video - and extremely well presented. I think that, to understand the positions of these places, people who don’t know London would do well to have a street map in front of them so that they can physically place all these streets, alleys etc. Its all confined into a remarkably small area. I would often walk from Charing Cross to Moorgate; choosing slightly different routes so that I came across different experiences and sights.

  • @thinker9115
    @thinker9115 Před 2 lety +4

    Excellent and so informative. Enjoying the sense of humour too this adds a lightness to the documentary. Bravo!

  • @keepitsimple4629
    @keepitsimple4629 Před 2 lety

    I just woke up from a nap, and I'm still going to sleep. This is snooze-worthy.

  • @katherinekarnopp946
    @katherinekarnopp946 Před 2 lety

    Thanks. I enjoyed that.

  • @eileencorcoran3090
    @eileencorcoran3090 Před 2 lety

    Very interesting....thanks

  • @marcokite
    @marcokite Před 2 lety +1

    really interesting, thank you

  • @dulciemidwinter1925
    @dulciemidwinter1925 Před 2 lety

    So interesting. Thank you.

  • @MarkCroucherRC4fun
    @MarkCroucherRC4fun Před 2 lety

    Really enjoyed thank you.

  • @raymondowalden4405
    @raymondowalden4405 Před rokem

    Very enjoyable commentary.Subbed

  • @janegardener1662
    @janegardener1662 Před 2 lety

    That was interesting, thank you!

  • @Greg_Romford
    @Greg_Romford Před 2 lety +21

    37:37 I believe Maypole dancing came from pagan fertility rituals, literally dancing round a big phallic representation.
    Great video by the way, I worked in the City of London for several years and also know the West End quite well. Fascinating stuff and extremely well presented. Thank you

    • @edwardcalcutt3417
      @edwardcalcutt3417  Před 2 lety +5

      Interesting about the pagan fertility rituals:) quite surprising in a way that some pagan things lasted so long into the Christian era.

    • @Greg_Romford
      @Greg_Romford Před 2 lety +7

      @@edwardcalcutt3417 on the contrary, most Christian festivals are based on pagan predecessors such as:
      Easter - the vernal equinox/fertility rites,
      All Hallows/All Saints - Samhain,
      Christmas - Saturnalia/Yuletide.
      Even the harvest festival has pagan roots. When the Roman Empire adopted Christianity it was thought that making the Christian holidays the direct equivalent to Pagan holidays, would make them more easily accepted by the people.

    • @edwardcalcutt3417
      @edwardcalcutt3417  Před 2 lety +2

      @@Greg_Romford Right. Great examples. I meant more blatant, apparently unchristianised things like maypole dancing. But maybe they had a Christian spin on it that I don't know about.

    • @Wotsitorlabart
      @Wotsitorlabart Před 2 lety +2

      @@Greg_Romford
      Lots of theories regarding the maypole. Obviously part of the celebrations to welcome in Spring. Origins possibly Roman, possibly from the Germanic areas of Western Europe.
      No evidence at all that it is a phallic symbol. Sorry, but that theory just doesn't stand up.

    • @ljbonner
      @ljbonner Před 2 lety +2

      @@Wotsitorlabart From what I've seen of Maypole Dancing it's done by young maidens...