I have a framed handwritten poem in my bedroom. It’s by former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, and the poem is called “A Human Haunt.” Duffy wrote this book over ten years ago as her reflections on Southwark Cathedral. It includes a passage in which she says, in answer to her own question, “Who came?”
players, tax collectors, poor people,
politician, prince
This is all the same, persistent,
changing space
Margaret Wills, in her book Freedom to cross London Bridge, Take the very same line. The subtitle is history of the people of southwarkAnd they were exactly as Duffy described them. A colorful cast of characters, many of them poor but making a living any way they can, others wealthy and influential. Instead of presenting a chronological account of the history of the south bank of the Thames, Willes opts for a more thematic approach. She looks at bridges, housing, theaters, writers, breweries, sex workers, and more.
I’ve been lucky enough to live in the area for a quarter of a century and have told many of the stories she tells, but this book contained a lot of information I didn’t know. A great read about a truly fascinating field. This is not to say that Southwark has a bad relationship with the City of London, and while some in civil society and the church may wish to see the City of London that way, Southwark has its own unique history and character. It is depicted as a unique town that still survives today. the current.
AlamyThe ruins of the great hall of Winchester House, a medieval bishop’s palace on Clink Street, Southwark, with its large rose window.from the book
Willes brings all of the complex stories to life by telling history through people’s lives. For example, I had never heard of the Reasonable Blackman, who was originally from West Africa but established himself as a weaver in the 16th century St. Purchased 2 sacramental tokens for the Easter Sacrament of the Savior. . Given the amazing and wonderful influx of people from so many countries into South London and Southwark, and especially from West Africa, Reasonable is for me one of their pioneers and a Southwark figure who should be celebrated. It was a representative.
In other words, it is the history of the people who lived, worked, and played in an area. But it is also about the church, Duffy’s ‘permanent’ space, St Savior’s Church, Southwark Cathedral. The Church watches over all, blesses all, and will continue to be there for what is to come, as the Church should be there.
The Reverend Andrew Nunn is a former Dean of the University of Southwark.
Freedom of London Bridge: A History of the People of Southwark
Margaret Willes
Yale University £20
(978-0-300-27220-8)
Church Times Bookshop £18