Mind Map
I carried out some brief research on the stories of London, looking at both historical and fictional tales. The brief is quite vague on whether or not the stories will have to surround a certain tourist attraction (e.g. the Big Ben) or if it’s just going to be set in London. This gives me a bit more freedom!
This mindmap has shown me how little I actually know about the stories of London, so I'll be doing some more research on the internet and see if I could get my hands on some books as well.
Chosen Collection of London Stories
After much thought, I am now undecided on whether to base my illustration on the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. When I looked back at the stories I realised that many of his cases were carried out in his room on 221B Baker Street, or in unnamed places and the countryside.
This led me to the decision of looking at books on London Lore and historical stories, which I found through books such as “London Folk Tales” by Helen East and “London's Strangest Tales” by Tom Quinn.
Whilst reading these two books I wrote down notes on the stories that I deemed most interesting and useful for my illustration, so I have taken these little notes and constructed them into bullet points below.
“London Folk Tales” by Helen East
Alba to Brutus
Covers the very beginnings of London – Britain was ruled by the giant Gogmagog, son of Alba
Brutus – grandson of Aeneas, soldier of Troy. Brought a talisman with him to this strange country (a stone of Troy's wall) – this stone was then placed in centre of London and all roads lead to it
Corineas – travelling companion of Brutus. Won the battle against the giant Gogmagog by throwing him over a cliff's edge, and Cornwall was named after him
After the battle – Brutus settled by a large river – later became London – formed two guardians at each end of London – Corineas and Gogmagog
Blind Beggar's Daughter
Extremely beautiful – always helped father to beg on the streets. Dad then purchased a dog to help him out so that daughter could travel to find work in a Tavern
Men begged to have her hand in marriage but all turned away when she said they had to get permission from her beggar father – only the knight stayed and said he wanted to marry her for her, not for her money
Knight's family not happy – went to see the beggar – beggar said he will give the knight a dowry from his beggar “winnings” - all the friends of the knight then threw a shower of coins that the beggar could then pick up – he gave this to the knight.
Blind Beggar's Pub on Whitechapel road
Domesday Book
Records everyone that lives in London
William I and Sons
Couldn't decide who'd be king – so councillors talked to each son individually
Robert - First son – wanted to be a Goshawk – noblest of all birds – knight at heart, brave fighter – gave him to rule Normandy
William - Second son – wanted to be an Eagle – royal bird – rules through fear and never seek to know his people – gave him to rule England
Henry - Third son – a Starling – social bird – gave him silver
Second son William became the king who was soon hated by everyone, died in a hunting in the New Forest by 'accidental arrow'. Robert joined the crusade. Henry then wanted to claim the throne from William and defeated Robert
Witch Well
Girl and father – mother died – father remarried. Step-mum and sister were horrible to the girl. Once when the girl went to get water from the well she dropped her spindle that she always carried with her. Then jumped into the well and entered a new world.
Helped all of the creatures along her way to find help – oven, cow, apple tree. Then was led to a house owned by witch
Witch then said she could stay as soon as she helped out in the house. Girl cleaned the garden and looked after the house. Fed the cat. Cat then showed girl the bag of gold in chimney. Girl ran away.
Witch was annoyed at the house who didn't stop her – but they didn't because the girl had helped clean the house and fix the broken gate.
All of the things she helped at the story then helped her hide from the witch chasing her. In the end the oven tricked her and girl locked witch in there.
Came home with bag of gold. Stepmum got jealous and sent her daughter to well. Daughter drowned as there was nothing but water. Stepmum tripped up when trying to find her. Drowned as well.
St. Uncumber's Shoes
Shrine in St. Paul's - Shoes made of gold – payment for every prayer – she was covered in gold and coins
Fiddler was poor and had no money – began to play his fiddle to apologise for eating her offerings – St. Uncumber came alive and started to dance – kicked out a golden shoe for him
Accused of stealing – before he was hung he asked to play fiddle at St. Uncumber – everyone watched – then St.Uncumber smiled (not dancing) and threw him her second shoe.
Rebecca and the Ring
Sir Berry – went out hunting – got lost in the mist – found a flickering light in the mist – was a candle in old house. Woman claimed her daughter will become a part of his family – in digust he threw the baby into the river
Baby was rescued by some poor millers who raised her. Sir Berry's son John found her and fell in love with her blue eyes
Berry then sent Rebecca to his cousin so that he could kill her – thieves took pity on her and changed the words in the letter to say that cousin should raise her as his own as she was going to marry John
After wedding, Berry then took off Rebecca's ring and threw it into river and asked her to never return without it. Rebecca started working in tavern – cooked beautiful food. Whilst cutting open a fresh fish – finds ring – prepares for a wedding feast. Finds out it was for her husband John – then approaches the father with ring on her finger
Monument of Dame Rebecca Berry at St Dunstan and All Saints Church, Stephney
Shape of a shield with coat of arms above – three fish and a ring
Rat Queen
Gave men good luck – their children would have one blue, one grey eye.
Wonderful Wife
Golden lane – goldsmiths working late on tables outside their houses
Boy got girl an engagement ring – thick gold band
Then got her another one – thick gold with a diamond
When the girl lay in her coffin (apparently dead) someone tried to steal her rings. Got the bigger ring, but couldn't get the small. Tried it by cutting her finger off – she woke with shock
Girl and boy then got reunited, saved by the small band of gold.
Dick Whittingham
Country boy who wanted to be an apprentice in London. Was abused by the cook and couldn't sleep at night because of the rats and mice. Bought a cat who had followed him around the fair after he fed her a fish – soon became friends as she dealt with all of the rats and mice
Sold cat to the ship's captain – grew miserable without it – made mistakes at work – decided to run away
However heard some bells ringing “Bow Bells” asking him to turn back as he'll become Mayor of London
During dinner at King's palace – rats everywhere – then captain thought of the cat and Dick – cat then ate all of the rats and mice. King then bought her
Dick got lots of money from the sale – became quite rich – paid the issue fee so that he could become a rich man. Then started his own shop and hired apprentices – married Alice, daughter of his master
Helped the poor when he became the Lord Mayor – Created drinking fountains, passed a law to prevent apprentices having to wash animal skins in the river when it was too cold or wet, drainage systems and public toilets. “Founded Whittington Hospital, funded St. Bartholomew's and St Thomas', creating a special ward for unmarried mothers. He also rebuilt Newgate prison.”
Other
I still couldn't really find any stories involving the main landmarks of London so I went to see what they had on the internet.
Lord Mayor's Show
When I read briefly about the Lord Mayor's Show in “London Folk Tales” I noticed that they had incorporated Gogmagog and Corineas in it, so I decided to delve deeper into it as it is one of London's main events:
Takes place every year where they elect a Lord Mayor of London
He's transported in a golden state coach (used to be in a boat across the Thames) and the escort and postillions are watermen carrying oars to symbolise the fact he is the Admiral of the Thames
Participants – 12 Great Livery Companies – the Mercers, Grocers, Drapers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Merchant Taylors, Skinners, Haberdashers, Salters, Ironmongers, Vintners and Clothworkers
Privileged regiments of the city – Honourable Artillery Company and The Royal Fusiliers
Gog and Magog – near the front of the procession
Procession – starts at Guildhall – Guildhall Yard – Mansion House – waits until show passes, takes position at the back after watching the RAF flypast – St. Paul's to receive blessings – Royal Court of Justice on the Strand, takes oath of allegiance – returns to Temple Place via Essex street – Mansion House via Embankment and Queen Victoria street
Fireworks in the evening
They also provide a map of the walk for 2013 at http://www.lordmayorsshow.org/, which I have downloaded. This gives me the idea to illustrate the procession itself as it involves a lot of London's communities and history.
Sherlock Holmes
Perhaps one of London's most famous stories, Sherlock Holmes is an incredibly talented fictional detective that resided on 211B Baker Street, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. There are a collection of books about Sherlock, and I owen “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.”
I'm not too sure how I shall incorporate Sherlock Holmes into my illustration but I think it would be nice to include a better known narrative, so I could possibly draw him investigating a case with Doctor John Watson, his sidekick.
Here are some of the little stories of Sherlock Holmes:
“A Scandal in Bohemia”
About a painting – of the prince and Irene Adler
Prince – about to be married – no one can find out about painting or alliance is ruined
Sherlock – finds painting – although is tricked by Adler – respects her after this - “the woman”
Keeps her photograph
“A Study in Pink”
People dying mysteriously - found out all had taken a pill, one was to kill them, another was just a pill – all took the poisonous one – game of chance
“The Adventure of the Speckled Band”
Girl's sister died mysteriously – lives with her stepfather
Sherlock stays at the house – notices that the bed has been bolted down – finds a secret passageway
Finds that the stepfather owns a snake – killed the sister – after fighting the snake, the snake angrily turns on it's master (dad) and kills him
Sherlock Holmes is famously known for his magnifying glass and pipe, having been a heavy smoker. He was also addicted to some drugs but I wouldn't want to illustrate that!
Nursery Rhymes
Little Jack Horner
“Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said 'What a good boy am I!'”
- http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=hes&p=1348
Oranges and Lemons
A poem about the seven bell churches located in London:
“Gay go up and gay go down,
To ring the bells of London town.
Oranges and lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clements.
Bull's eyes and targets,
Say the bells of St. Margret's.
Brickbats and tiles,
Say the bells of St. Giles'.
Halfpence and farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin's.
Pancakes and fritters,
Say the bells of St. Peter's.
Two sticks and an apple,
Say the bells of Whitechapel.
Pokers and tongs,
Say the bells of St. John's.
Kettles and pans,
Say the bells of St. Ann's.
Old Father Baldpate,
Say the slow bells of Aldgate.
You owe me ten shillings,
Say the bells of St. Helen's.
When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.
Pray when will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.
I do not know,
Says the great bell of Bow.
Here comes a candle to light you to bed,
Here comes a chopper to chop off your head.
Chop chop chop chop
The last man's dead!”
http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=805&c=116
Conclusion:
Now that I have a list of possible stories, I can figure out which ones will be the most successful and suitable for my illustration. I would like to choose a mixture of lesser-known and better-known narratives, and especially some London folk lore.
Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to illustrate London! Then I could figure out how to incorporate these characters.
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