Centre of Empire and London

If one were the try and draw the limits of “London” on a map and somehow managed to establish a geographic centre today, by tomorrow it would have moved.

While the geographical centre of London cannot be defined what is generally agreed upon are various points from which distances from London were and are measured including the Marble Arch, St Paul’s Cathedral, Hicks Hall in Clerkenwell and the doors of St Mary-le-Bow church among others.In Roman times and for some centuries afterwards the London Stone (see separate review) fulfilled this role.

While the above points have been, and indeed still, are used as points from which to measure distances the best known and accepted as the main point (perhaps the official unofficial point!) is Eleanor’s or Charing Cross. That said some official documents do refer to Charing Cross when discussing the centre of London. What is not well known is the location of this point, in so far as it relates to measuring distances. Most people will automatically think of the Eleanor’s Cross outside Charing Cross Railway Station.

What fewer people realise is that the cross outside Charing Cross station is in fact a “replica” (I will explain more on that term in a separate review on the cross) of the original cross which was located a couple of hundred metres to the west in Trafalgar Square at the point where Whitehall enters the south of the Square.

Specifically the original Eleanor’s Cross (erected in the 1200s) and thus the point from which distances from London are measured is where the equestrian statute of King Charles I has stood since 1675 looking down Whitehall (to his place of execution!). A few metres back from the statue and easy to miss unless you are looking for it is a plaque (pictured below) on the ground which reads:

“On the site now occupied by the statue of King Charles I was erected the original Queen Eleanor’s cross a replica of which stands in front of Charing Cross station. Mileages from London are measured from the site of the original cross.”

The chap in my third picture appears to be taking a picture of the plaque.

Given its acceptance as the point from which distances are measured, the statue of Charles I is also now generally accepted as representing the centre point of London – if only for want of general agreement on any other point.

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This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries based on many trips to London. I suggest you continue with my next entry – Eleanor’s Cross at Charing – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my introductory entry – London…as much of life as the world can show.

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