Time Travel Through the Museum of London
Everyone knows London as the largest city in Western Europe, namely the vast number of free museums, the celebrated royal family, and the iconic landmarks. The city has another charm point which was often overlooked: the intriguing history.
Portal Back to Where It Started
The Museum of London is a little walking distance away from Barbican station. There is no fear of getting lost, as every corner of the road would direct visitors to get the correct way. The large, capitalized museum name is already eye-catching from the street level. There are several entrances leading the way to the museum on the second floor. The first thing visitors would lay their eyes on is the rotunda garden with gorgeous floras and plantations, but the garden’s gates are open only for VIP guests.
The journey back in time began with the Thames Valley, home to native tribes before the Roman army marched into the land. The new conquerors named this place Londinium, introducing technology, religion, and culture from their lands. Many Roman inventions were ahead of its time, which paved the way to modern technology for better living standards. There were also revolts by Celtic tribes and a growing desire for independence. The Roman Empire might find implausible, for this barbaric land would grow into another Empire that reigned almost half of the globe.
History is indeed damned to be repeated.
As much as London grew into an energetic city in England, calamity befell in the 17th century. First came the Great Plague of London that killed around a quarter of the city’s population. People carried pomanders, derived from the French term pomme d’ambre, which were delicate metal balls filled with fragrant herbs as protection against illness and death. Such plague-repellent essence included flowers, animal musk, and whale vomit-
Wait, what?
Turned out whale vomit is called ambergris, a substance vomited out by sperm whales before digestion.
Next came the 1666 Great Fire of London, a four-day long nightmare that swept across Central London, demolishing properties and housing across the land. Predictions were made prior to the event, in particular an English astrologer named William Lily.
There was a mini theatre reenacting the terror of the flames, narrating how the fire spread from one corner of London to almost a quarter. Back then, one of the most common methods to put out fire was by pulling down buildings with hooks or axes, but it was ineffective. Then came the fire brigades and gunpowder to stop the flames from spreading. The firefighters wore leather helmets and carried lead buckets, before improvising into today’s plastic helmet.
Any Bridgeton or Austen fans would fall in love with the regency dress, defined by its short, puffy sleeves and high waistline. I found the side-by-side exhibition of pistols and fans amusing, a contrast between masculine and feminine trend. Handmade dollhouses were the height of my waist, with porcelain dolls posing gracefully.
Around the museum were exhibitions of poems from school children and local writers. For such a young age, they could bring words alive on paper, like a smooth teh tarik flow. Malaysian schoolchildren could barely write a comprehensive essay, let alone a proper sentence. The museum also compiled quotes from famous British people about London, propelling me to discover more about this city. There could be a day when I could create my quote dedicated to this city.
“The streets of London have their map, but our passions are uncharted. What are you going to meet if you turn this corner?”
– Virginia Woolf
Lunchtime was not the right time to find a space for food. Following the old-fashioned English custom, I had my lunch near the rotunda gardens. The floor was slightly wet from the drizzle, but the benches were safe from the rain. My hot drink was enough to warm my frozen bones and muscles. The sandwich was fine, like most English convenient food, just enough for me to continue my journey.
The Invisible London Wall
English buildings had replaced the Ancient Roman grounds in London. One of the living proofs of Roman settlement is the London Wall right outside of the museum. It was a fortress against enemies from invading Londinium. As centuries went by, wars and disasters demolished most parts of the wall. What was left is the aftermath of World War Two’s Blitz.
Bastions were added to the wall afterwards. Like the wall’s fate, many had been buried or destroyed. One of the few remaining London Wall bastions is right near the Museum of London, one floor below. There was a fleet of stairs heading to the wall itself, but it reeked of ammonia. I suggest looking for an alternative way to approach the magnificent remains.
Right opposite the bastion is where the remains of the London Wall. The surviving fraction of the structure had been incorporated with a modern office block, illustrating a rather peculiar view. Plants, moss, and roots embraced this historical wall, had accepted the medieval fortress as a part of nature. I slowed down to read the informative descriptions on the railings, receiving another glimpse of this city’s past.
The Star of Paddington Station
Before heading back, I stopped by at Paddington Station.
The afternoon sun had melted the dark clouds and evaporated the rain; such pleasant weather for travelers to embark on their journey. As one of London’s liveliest railway stations, passengers either gush in and out of the trains or wait for their upcoming ride. Yet many would linger around to meet up with a local celebrity, Paddington Bear.
Named after the station, this marmalade-obsessed bear caught the heart of the entire nation. In fact, the 2013 Paddington Bear live-action movie was filmed at the station. Whenever people stop by at this railway station, visiting the bronze Paddington Bear statue is necessary. No one could resist this adorkable bear who had tea with Her Royal Highness during her Platinum Jubilee celebration.
“Mr. and Mrs. Brown first met Paddington on a railway platform. In fact, that was how he came to have such an unusual name for a bear, for Paddington was the name of the station”
- “A Bear Called Paddington”, Michael Bond
I sat on a bench and opened a pack of potato crisps. Nibbling on the salty potato snack while observing people seemed to be an unorthodox yet lavish activity. Everyone was on the move, only to rest for a short period before continuing their journey. Even I was ready to head home before sundown.
The night when Buckingham Palace released a statement on the Queen‘s passing, my friends had bombarded my message inbox about this unexpected news. My memory jogged back to the afternoon in the Square. Several people stood in front of a projector screen watching a BBC live broadcast on the Queen’s declining health. I even overheard someone mutter: ‘The Queen is dying.’ under his breath.
The next day, I talked to R, one of my uncle’s tenants, about this devastating news. As Nottingham alumni, we instantly formed a connection and dived into the conversation like birds soaring into the sky.
“It must be quite unexpected,” I said. “The last few months, she just made her public appearance.”
“The Queen had Covid earlier,” said R. “She had been frail since.”
“She’s literally an immortal.”
“She had been with us for most of our lives,” R sighed. “I guess it’s ‘God Saves the King now.’
Date of Visitation: 8th Sep 2022
Museum of London
Entrance Fee: Free of Charge
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm (daily)
Address: 150 London Wall, Barbican, London EC2Y 5HN
Paddington Station
Address: Greater, Praed St, London W2 1HQ
Paddington Bear’s Location: Platform 1