Point of Interest: London Stone, 111 Cannon Street

London stone – 111 Cannon Street 

There are many legends about the London stone although nobody knows where it came from. The best guess is it was part of an administrative building or a palace that stood at the stone’s current location during Roman times. It could have been part of the entrance to the building or part of a structure inside. Unfortunately, any evidence that may have helped was lost when the Underground was built. 

Honourable Mentions

In the late 1500’s John Stow, London historian, said, “The cause why this stone was set there, the time when, or other memory hereof is none”. In his Survey of London (1598) he described the stone as "a great stone called London stone", "pitched upright... fixed in the ground verie deep, fastned with bars of iron." 

William Shakespeare mentioned the stone in Henry VI, “Here, sitting upon London-stone, I charge and command that … henceforward it shall be treason for any that calls me other than Lord Mortimer.” This was a dramatization of an event that happened in 1450 when Jack Cade, leader of a rebellion against the Government of King Henry VI, struck his sword on the London stone and called himself “Lord of London."

What We Know

What is known is that it was a rock in the middle of the road that became a traffic hazard. It was removed in the mid-1700’s to St. Swithin Church and stored in an alcove until the church was destroyed during the Second World War. The remaining wall with the stone in it survived and a 1960's style building was built with the wall incorporated.  

Recently another a more modern building was built at 111 Cannon Street and there was conversation that the stone be moved, however the City of London and Victorian Society fought for the stone to remain in its place.  The stone and the alcove that surrounds it are Grade II listed.

London Stone - Wikipedia

The plaque above the alcove reads: 

London Stone 

The remaining part of London Stone, which once stood in the middle of Cannon Street, slightly west of its present location. Its original purpose is unknown, although it may be Roman and related to Roman buildings that lay to the south. It was already called 'London Stone' in the 12th century and became an important city landmark. In 1450 Jack Cade, leader of the rebellion against the corrupt government of Henry VI, struck it with his sword and claimed to be Lord of London. 

In 1742, London Stone was moved to the north side of the street and eventually set in an alcove in the wall of St. Swithin's church on this site. 

The church was bombed in the Second World War and demolished in 1961–2, and London Stone was incorporated into a new office building on the site. Following redevelopment, it was placed in its present location in 2018. 

To Visit

You can visit the stone at 111 Cannon Street, across the Thames from other London relics The Golden Hind and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.  

If you are in the area, check out St. Swithin's Church Garden, down the street to the left of 111 Cannon Street. It's a cozy green space to rest in before the next adventure.