Bow Bells, Cockneys, Dick Whitington and Captain John Smith
The Church of St Mary Le Bow
The Church of St Mary Le Bow is in Cheapside and but 3 minutes walk from St Paul’s Cathedral. To be a true Cockney, which is not quite what people think, one must be born within the sound of St Mary Le Bow bells. Their website can be found here and this is not the same place as St Mary’s in the district of Bow.
According to folklore Dick Whittington changed his mind about leaving London when he heard the peal of Bow bells, and so changed his fortunes and became Lord Mayor of London. There was in fact a Richard Whittington who was Lord Mayor of London several times during the 14th century.
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There is also a cosy little crypt converted into a pleasant café.
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In the square, just outside the church, is a statue of Captain John Smith. The captain was a mercenary, pirate, explorer and at one time leader of Jamestown the first permanent English colony in America. It is said (mostly by himself) that his life was once saved by Pocohantas. He was probably what we would call now, a real swashbuckler. Anybody who wore rain-catcher boots like that had to be hardy. 🙂
Freed From Time 
So just how far can Bow Bells be heard? How many thousands of people can claim to be Cockney?
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February 3, 2016 at 15:27
With the tall buildings and traffic noise and lack of residential buildings there are probably very few born within the sound of the bells. Although there is always the nearby Barts maternity unit. 🙂
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February 3, 2016 at 20:09
Aw man, I want a golden dragon on the top of my roof now!
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February 4, 2016 at 00:38
i think, when I’ve got a little time, I’ll enhance him for a print-out come mobile. It will make a fun post and you can use him as a foo-dragon. 🙂
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February 4, 2016 at 09:39
I like the sound of that 🙂
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February 8, 2016 at 00:03
magnificent
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February 21, 2016 at 23:23
Glad you liked. 🙂
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February 22, 2016 at 00:30