Southwark Bridge underbridge, London SE1 9HAFrost Fairs(Historical London)
(Photos Taken: 27-Jul-2020)
LinkPlaque Wording:
{top left}The final Frost Fair was held in 1814. The construction of a new London Bridge with broader spans for shipping improved the flow of the tides. The Thames no longer froze over and the Frost Fairs were no more.
{top right}Sleds, sliding with skeetes, a bull-baiting, horse and coach races, puppet plays and interludes, cooks, tippling, and other lewd places ... a Bacchanalian triumph or carnival on the water.
{bottom left}Tankards of beer, ale, brandy, a dish of famous new-made coffee, tea or chocolate, Roast beef, plum cake; hot codlins, pancakes, duck, goose and sack, Rabbit, capon, Turkey and wooden Jack.
{bottom right}After the construction of London Bridge in 1468 its narrow arches slowed the Thames sufficiently for the water to freeze over in severe winters. During the freeze of 1664 the people of London took to the ice for what became the first ever Frost Fair.