The Weathervanes Of Old London
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Map of The Gentle Author’s Tour of Spitalfields designed by Adam Dant
Spire of St Mary-Le-Bow, Cheapside, by Christopher Wren
Clinging on for dear life in the midst of the raging tempest, it occurred to me that this was the ideal moment to publish these weathervanes. There is no more magical sight to glimpse in a London street on a bright spring morning, after the storm has passed, than that of a gilded weathervane, glinting in sunlight high above the rooftops. At once – in spite of all the changes that time has wrought – you know you are sharing in a visual delight enjoyed by three centuries of Londoners before you and it makes your heart leap.
Consequently, I am grateful to Angelo Hornak who photographed this gallery of magnificent weathervanes in his book AFTER THE FIRE, London Churches in the Age of Wren, Hawksmoor & Gibbs published by Pimpernel Press.
Dragon upon St Mary-Le-Bow, representing the City of London
Arrow & pennant on St Augustine, Watling St
Spire of St Bride’s Fleet St by Christopher Wren
Gridiron on St Lawrence Jewry, symbol of the martyrdom of St Lawrence
Weathervane on St Magnus the Martyr by Christopher Wren
Weathervane on St Michael Paternoster Royal, College St
Galleon on St Nicholas Cole Abbey, moved from St Michael Queenhithe after demolition
Weathervane on St James Garlickhythe
Crown on St Edmund King & Martyr, Lombard St
Key on the Tower of St Peter Cornhill
Cockerell on St Dunstan-in-the-East by Christopher Wren
Comet on St Mary-Le-Strand
Spire of St Martin in the Fields by James Gibbs
Square-rigged ship on St Olave Old Jewry
Flaming red-eyed dragon on St Luke, Old St, described as a flea in popular lore
Weathervane on St Stephen Walbrook by Nicholas Hawksmoor
‘Flame’ on the top of the Monument by Christopher Wren
Photographs copyright © Angelo Hornak
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St James’ in Bermondsey also has a very good Dragon
Thank you for these – reminded me of my Dad who always taught me to look up. Hope they are all still standing firm after yesterday’s storm.
Wonderful weathervanes, dragons, boats, roosters… In Spanish “veleta”, in French “girouette”. It really sounds much better in English. Thank you, as usual, dear G.A.
Wonderful collection.
I hope these have all survived the storm
I thought the weathervane on St. Luke, Old Street, was a comet!
Fabulous, and Fascinating
Wonderful pictures of the even more wonderful weathervanes. They are difficult to photograph from a distance. I usually fail because of this dilemma…
Love & Peace
ACHIM
Beautiful, the joy of looking up demonstrated.
What a good idea