The Thames had frozen over either wholly or in part at various times before 1683, and leisure activities had taken place there. But in December of that year the Thames froze for two whole months, prompting what some social historians believe to be the first official Frost Fair, rather than a spontaneous gathering on the ice.
The website, Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide (2) gives a contemporary explanation for the emergence of the Frost Fair. It records (from a pamphlet in the British Museum) that the Thames was so blocked with ice that the watermen were unable to ply their trade, carrying goods and passengers up and down the Thames.
To compensate for loss of earnings watermen took to the ice, setting up stalls to sell liquor and food to an eager public. Eventually roads were built on the ice and carriages began to ply their trade up and down the frozen river.
Soon the phenomenon was being called a Frost Fair, because the crowds were so great and jovial, just like those at the annual Bartholomew’s Fair in Smithfield.
Comments
Yes, tenuous thread there....bloody windy, I remember!
But it does sound like an amazing place to have worked. And the GLC was on the banks of the Thames. It must have got a bit nippy in winter. We're in the vicinity of relevant. :D
I forgot to add - the most important factor - they had a massive nursery for the staff's children. I used to take my son to work.
Sorry, gone on a bit - this is nowt abojt rivers freezing over...
I did work at the GLC - as a secretary in a typing pool - but I didn't 'know' Ken. It was a massive place. It was wonderful working there though - the miners came down when they were on strike and gave talks in the lunch hour, we could go to art classes, language classes etc in our lunch hour. Great subsidised canteen, amazing library - I wonder where all those books are now...
You worked at the GLC? You knew Ken Livingstone? Wow! Now that's an article I'd enjoy reading!
Oh, yes, Ken.... I worked at the GLC for a while in the 1970s. It was a great place to be. Ken is a good bloke.
But if I e-mailed Boris, I'd just end up being rude or ranting. If only we'd thought of this while Ken was still in charge. :(
Ha Ha - Yes, you read my mind - I was thinking of the TB! I'm sure it would work. (I'd rather you e-mailed Boris....)...
OOoooh! Maybe we could do something with the Thames Barrier... You e-mail Boris. I'll go buy some ice skates. :D
Hi Jo - Yes, it does seem to be the answer! Maybe they could invent a temporary shutter system when it gets cold so we could have those fairs back! :)