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| Until 1750 the only bridge crossing the Thames was London Bridge so there existed water taxis or 'wherries' to ferry people across the river. The ferrymen would sit and wait on stone benches whilst their ferries filled up with customers from the theatre (The Rose and the Globe) or the nearby brothels. The picture above shows the last remaining example of the ferryman's seat. It is made of flint and is quite tiny. I don't know of any adult who would be able to sqeeze into it these days! |
What a great little thing! I suppose if some of us rowed on the Thames all day, everyday, we might be able to fit into the seat!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Australia
Ha! Very interesting, but yes, it's made for a very little seat, isn't it? :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting post … I really do believe people were smaller long ago. I’ve seen some armor that would fit only an adolescent child nowadays.
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh at Stewarts comment ... maybe that's what I should be doing more of ... Rowing on the Thames!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting...
ReplyDeleteWe are becoming a race of giants.
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ReplyDeleteI think it is great that they have preserved this so well, the Southwark area is really a very pleasant place to explore.
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