The London Stones: Marking the City of London's Jurisdiction over the Thames and Medway
Author(s): Edward Carpenter
The City of London held jurisdiction over part of the River Thames and part of the River Medway from the 12th century until the mid-19th century. From at least the post-medieval period the limits were partly marked by boundary stones. The three earliest surviving stones are thought to date to the 18th century and were originally at Staines, Southend-on-Sea and at Upnor. The City’s jurisdiction was frequently challenged and the boundaries were periodically visited by the Lord Mayor of London and other officials. These river trips, sometimes referred to as ‘views’, would last about three days. They included ceremonies undertaken at the stones in an assertion of the City’s rights in which wine, beer and coins were distributed to the attendant crowd. These visits also became social events with dinners and balls held in either Rochester or Southend-on Sea. In the early 19th century two new obelisks were erected alongside the existing stones at Upnor and Southend-on-Sea, perhaps in a reassertion of rights in the face of criticism from a parliamentary select committee. The final stone was erected at Yantlet Creek, Kent in 1856 and the following year the City lost control of these rivers.
- Report Number:
- 16/2014
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 14
- Keywords:
- Stone
