10 ‘Horrible’ Facts about London!

Well, gang, we’re taking a trip back in time to find out some quirky – and slightly gruesome! – facts about this historic city…
1) The Romans first built London nearly 2000 years ago – but Boudicca, the queen of a Celtic tribe, burnt it to the ground a few years later!

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Boudicca primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!
2) King Richard the Lionheart needed money for his Crusade battles – he said he’d even sell London if he could find someone to buy it!
3) William Wallace was brought to London for a special reason – to be hung, drawn and quartered! Not a very nice way to go!
4) People in London believed whipping yourself was a way to avoid getting the plague, which was one of London’s most common and deadly diseases in the 17th Century.
5) Elizabeth I got rid of the job known as “Groom of the Stool” – which was the name for the person who looked after the monarch when they went to the toilet!

6) The inhabitants of medieval London (both human and animal) produced 50,000kg of poop a day – that”s more than six double decker buses!
7) King Charles I was beheaded in Whitehall, near the houses of parliament. The people watching the ceremony were allowed to go up and dip handkerchiefs in his blood – it was believed the blood of a king would cure their illness.
8) Until she became Queen, Queen Victoria had to hold someone’s hand whenever she walked down the stairs!

9) Bran the Blessed (who was a very early English king) was beheaded and his head was buried under the White Mount (now the Tower of London) to keep England safe. But it was stolen – along with two other heads.
10) In 1369, King Edward III demanded that butchers be banned from slaughtering animals within the City of London because of the stench from blood and offal (internal organs and waste parts). Rotting meat was commonly dumped in The River Thames. Yuk!
For more Horrible facts – and to see Britain’s historical figures come to life! – be sure to catch Horrible Histories, Barmy Britain: Part Two! at The Garrick Theatre, London.
More Like General History

The life of Alan Turing

15 facts about the Victorians!

Facts about the suffragettes

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COMMENTS1
Gideon
cool
London is we’re i living,
Joshua
Cool!London is one of my favourite cities.
qadar123
wow
john
this helpe me with work
DaisyDog900
Interesting but weird!
Josh
Well this is very gross facts but it help me with my homework so ya its good
Jet pack max
Who new London used to be a gross place to be
Anika
OMG!
Madgirl2016
Its not that gruesome
Parithy Sivanesan
I learned more facts by this website AWESOME!
Ali
Awesomely Gruesome!
NAUGHTON
revoulting which and awesome
maya_moo
discusting but cool!
zaishra
weird and cool
BubblegumPoP
Disgusting and weird
Emelia
I like this website because it is fun and interesting
Solana
I love this website even though it has horrible and crazy things. LOL!
nameless
weird
john
xD Black Death remember ?
tnt
taking away peoples head were they mad
maylou06
I went to London and I loved it! I didnt know this stuff.
Alivia jones
Way cool
ASomeone
Thanks
ASomeone
Cool
ASomeone
Someone
CrazyOwlGirl
I like it. You really taught me something about London; it used to be a very gross place!
CrazyOwlGirl
Wow, discusting facts!
cgf
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aiden jays
This is a good website !!!!!!!!!!
Dinoslasher
Crazy!!!!! How would think it!
MicWerz
yuck!!!!!
Millie12345678910
AWESOME!:)
bjvjhcnb
gross
az2pa5
cool
_Snowflake_
Ok... it wasnt that gruesome.
Rand
Ilike the fact about it and it helps me luarn everything!
pankaces1346
I do not want to live in london anymore
saahithyan
it was a awesome time with you!
Crunchy
Like you said horrible but amazing
Sajid
Its amazing I love it!!!! Good work
Lollypophdyfbfybehdudhdud
Cool I mean good for learning
kcikcaboy54
Your Right it was horrible
madfacemonkey123
that was amazing thanks I know a lot
Dakshi Saldi
Why did you write horrible facts about London you could make them good also but it was not bad so thank you Ngkids
Buffy
Amazing!
Ge314
Wow, Ill never think of London in the same way...
Elfie B
Thanks now I know more about London.
yasmin
cool stuff
christiian
spooky
Madsymonkey
Didnt no these things
June
There was a lot I didnt know
Sru
Those were very horrible
Louise
Double Wierd!
Bubblepop123
for some reason london makes me uncomfortable
Misti
London was so weird from now
noreen
yuck
Emma
nice :-)
Daniel
wow london was sick before now
Sonia
Amazing!
dog
This made me hungry
Narwhal
cool but gggrrrroooosssssseeeee!!!!!!!!!
Pop-gir
Yuck but at least we learnt some cool amazin gross facts
Happyanimal
this is disturbing
purplesize
yucky facts ive found out something new!!!!
Violet
Yuck gory facts!!!
buggirl
awsome!!!!!!!!!!!! that is cool!!!! thanx. that TOTALLY answered my question.ng kids ROCKS!!!
corinne170
Ive seen barmy Britain part 2 at the London Garrick Theatre
Aisyah
yuk!
thomas
thanks ng kids for these gruesome facts! !
Paul
I love London, too!
Paul
I love London!
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