London's Skyline 400 years ago and now

[Ryujin]

Not so sure about those heads on spikes, though.

I like them. "Head on a pike" is used far too often only metaphorically.

 

[Tonguez]

also, it's a darn shame they tore down the buildings on the bridge (I'm sure 4 centuries and a bridge replacement were involved in the decision). That looks cool.

What were those bridge buildings for? upper class living, or something else?

there were 138 shops on the bridge, defended gatehouses at each end and houses for shopkeepers, bridge officials and workers. There was also a huge public latrine overhanging the bridge parapets and pouring directly into the river below. They were a fire hazard, caused traffic congestion, put strain on the bridge arches- hence the song London Bridge is falling down- and were making the river increasingly hazardous to shipping. That eventually was the reason they were knocked down and never replaced

anyway the image is cool, especially when you merge the images at abour 30% showing both the old and the new together

 

[Scott DeWar]

I think I had read that they had the odoriferous businesses on the bridge: Tanners, blacksmiths, butchers, wool dyers . . . .