A Mythical City

London is a city which is so steeped in history and tradition that it is not surprising that over the many centuries of its existence, some myths have developed. These myths involve the city and some of them are pretty hilarious, to say the least.

When a visitor plans to pay a visit to London then he or she would do well to search for some Paddington accommodation and there are hotels such as the park grand London Paddington which are more than likely to suit the needs of the visitors to the city.

A myth which has permeated its way into the common story teller’s repertoire is that of a polar bear fishing in the Thames. As a matter of fact, this is quite true as centuries ago, the then King of England, Henry III, received a unique gift from the then King of Norway; which happened to be a polar bear. It is fair to say that this sort of gift was valued as it was hard to procure! At the time, in the 13th century, the King would allow his polar bear to go fishing in the Thames and there is proof of this practice being carried out. 

In the historic documents of the time, there are entries for amounts for the expenses incurred in order to purchase a chain, a muzzle and a strong and lengthy cord so as to make sure that the polar bear of the King had no real chance of escaping. It is a rather interesting fact that the polar bear was not all that unique a creature; at least in the Tower of London, as this was a place which was home to a real range of other exotic animals such as lions, elephants and ostriches.

If Animal Farm, the amazing work of George Orwell is any yard stick to go by, pigs are to be seen as animals which can harbour a real threat. As a matter of fact, there was a myth which used to make the rounds of London to this effect. In the now perfectly civilised and inhabited area of Hampstead, it is said that the sewer was populated by pigs who posed a threat to London. 

The entire myth was set on its way by a story of a sow who fell into a sewer and was said to have given birth to a litter of piglets who devoured the savage waste of London. The myth was so significant at the time that the well known Charles Dickens found it to be worth his while to write about the pigs, as well. This story, like many other myths of London, was never reallybacked up by an iota of truth and should be taken with a pinch of salt as after all, it just makes for some interested listening and reading.

In more contemporary times, it is said that the building of Du Cane Court was coveted by a well known suitor. The identity of the suitor and the reason and rationale as to why it was coveted would be interesting, without a doubt as the man who was eyeing it up was none other than Adolf Hitler. The purpose; was for it to serve as  headquarters once his planned occupation of the British Isles was successful and complete.

A person who pays a visit to the Du Cane Court building can be pardoned for thinking that the building in its present day form looks rather unremarkable; really something not really worth writing home about. However, it should be kept in mind that when the building was completed back in 1937; prior to the war commencing, it was seen as a real marvel as it was the largest blocks of flats in all of Europe which was owned by just a solitary owner.

London is a place which has long been associated with literature. However, it is more than likely that the visitor to the city would have underestimated the impact literature has had on the city. A prime example of this would be to look towards the Tower of London [yes, again] and try to explain the presence of ravens at the Tower. 

With the advent and proliferation of the poem, the Raven, by the famed Edgar Allen Poe, ravens have been a permanent fixture at the Tower of London as it is said that if the Tower would be left sans the ravens, the crown would fall. As a direct result of this belief, apart from the operational ravens, an additional one is kept in reserve. 

As one walks the streets of London, he or she is likely to come across more myths; which are part and parcel of visiting the city!