This Week In London’s History
- Monday – 26 November 1983: An armed robbery at the Brinks Mat warehouse near Heathrow Airport becomes one of the largest heists in British history, as £26 million worth of gold bullion, diamonds and cash is pinched.
- Tuesday – 27 November 1703: The 'Great Storm of 1703' reaches its destructive peak in London. The lengthy storm would cause extensive damage to the capital, blowing off part of the roof of Westminster Abbey, demolishing hundreds of chimneys, and causing Queen Anne to shelter in a cellar at St. James's Palace.
- Wednesday – 28 November 1999: A naked man bursts into a church in Thornton Heath, south London, wielding a samurai sword and indiscriminately attacking the congregation. Eleven people are injured, some seriously, before the swordsman is overpowered. The attacker would later be found not guilty of attempted murder and assault for reasons of insanity, and would be detained at a psychiatric hospital.
- Thursday – 29 November 1773: An attorney's clerk named Foster Powell sets off on a journey on foot from London to York and back. He would complete his round-trip in a record-breaking six days.
- Friday – 30 November 1936: The magnificent iron and glass Crystal Palace in southeast London is destroyed by fire.
London Quote Of The Week
Cam ye o'er frae France? Cam y'doon by Lunnon?
Saw ye Geordie Whelps and his bonny woman?
Were ye at the place, ca'd the Kittle Hoosie
Saw ye Geordie's Grace ridin' on a Goosie?
From a Jacobite song alluding to George I's fondness for visiting brothels.
Picture taken from McTumshie's Flickr photostream, via the Londonist Flickr pool.
