Westminster Bridge, London
Westminster Bridge, 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!

Boudicca
Boudicca

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!

Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I

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!

Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria

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 1369King 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.

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COMMENTS

  • 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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