It’s true that some applications of artificial intelligence should be treated with caution but have a look at these screenshots from an AI generated ‘Tour of London’ in the 15oos.
Old London Bridge …
Walking across old London Bridge, it doesn’t appear to be over water at all due to the houses and businesses on either side …
St Paul’s Cathedral before the spire was struck by lightning …
The Tower of London …
I found the images fascinating and they come with a nice commentary. Here’s a link to the youtube version. If the link doesn’t work, just Google A Tour of London in the 1500s.
Thinking of old London, I had a quick dive back into my three volumes of Wonderful London to see if I could find some pictures I hadn’t used before …
The books were published in 1929 and therefore illustrate London and its people in the short period between the wars.
Dr Johnson on the Strand facing Fleet Street …
A more recent image shows the Second World War shrapnel scars on the east side of St Clement Danes church …
Amazingly, these guys are practising their putting on the roof of Adelaide House just north of London Bridge, and it’s obviously real grass, hence the roller in the background …
Here’s the building, I think it’s covered in scaffolding at present due to refurbishment …
These are poignant images of the London Fire Brigade in action before the War.
Putting out a fire in Moor Lane. All these buildings were subsequently destroyed in wartime bombing …
A warehouse blaze …
Their experience was invaluable during wartime raids. During the 57 nights of relentless bombing (now known as The Blitz) 997 firefighters lost their lives of which 327 were based in London. Many were part-time volunteers from the Auxiliary Fire Service – ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They were shopkeepers, factory workers, teachers – men and women who put on a uniform, picked up a hose, and ran towards the flames.
‘Palatial’ Salisbury House …
Still there …
A ferocious lion guards the London Wall entrance …
John Milton on his original plinth before he was blown off by the blast from a nearby bomb …
So undignified …
His new home in St Giles Cripplegate, the church in the first picture above. It was gutted in the Blitz but is now beautifully restored …
His original plinth today. In the background to the right you can see a portion of the old City wall bastion …
Here it is from another angle …
As can be seen from the 1920s picture below, the top of the bastion was level with, and part of, the St Giles churchyard. I suspect the lower part was subsequently revealed by Second World War bombing …
A little ‘secret’ garden at St Giles …
Life on the canals …
For more images and stories, have a look at my blog on the London Canal Museum …
Fleet Street in 1926 and 1880 …
Hard to believe that the railway bridge blocking the view of St Paul’s Cathedral wasn’t demolished until 1990 …
Just before demolition …
And now …
One of my favourite pictures and captions, the ‘Cats-meat man’ …
Horses quenching their thirst at a Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association trough …
Read more about the Association and its history in my blog Philanthropic Fountains. A trough on London Wall …
St Batholomew the Great then ..
And now …
A 1915 image. Rahere’s tomb protected from bombing by sandbags during the First World War …
I visited and wrote in detail about this amazing church about five years ago and you can read my blog here.
The Old Bailey …
You can read about my Old Bailey tour here.
Here’s the picture I took then of Elizabeth Fry’s statue …
Help for the homeless and disabled …
The judgmental caption referring to idle vagrants shirking all work made me cringe a bit.
Scenes and captions resonant of the times …
Presumably the top two pictures are intended to illustrate ‘before’ and ‘after’. I can’t help but wonder what the little chap was thinking when the second photo was taken.
Wembley Stadium ‘…like an ants’ nest carelessly broken open’. And the commentary below the image, comparing the stadium with the Colosseum (‘…exceeding it in size by one half’) and the people crushed to death in the crowd on Cup Final day a reminder of ‘the decay of Roman morals’!
Buses old and new in the 1920s …
And now, outside Cannon Street Station …
Finally, some Spring pics of nature to cheer us up.
Andrewes House Car Park …
St Giles Magnolias …
Opposite Salters’ Hall …
Silk Street …
In Postman’s Park …
Finally, ‘lest we forget’, when you next visit Postman’s Park, do pause and observe the sundial …
It features the inscription, ‘In loving memory and recognition of the self-sacrifice of the Barts Health NHS Trust staff who lost their lives whilst caring for patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.’
The idea to install a memorial in the Park came from Helen Parker, an A&E consultant and the deputy medical director of Newham Hospital, who spent time there during lockdown. She said: ‘NHS staff surrendered so much during the pandemic including time with loved ones and relationships. It was the ultimate example of self-sacrifice and this is a fitting place to remember them.’
