THE THAMES FREEZES OVER ~ 1715

THE THAMES FREEZES OVER ~ 1715

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Over 300 years ago, in the big freeze of 1715, Londoners turned the River Thames, into a theme park!

It began in late November and lasted more than three months.

So severe was the frost in London, that the Thames froze over completely.

From Westminster to the City, the great river stood immobile, solid ice from bank to bank.

London’s streets were blocked by snow.

The river was wider back then, than today and the old London Bridge had many more arches than today’s bridge.

Those arches slowed the flow of the river and made it more likely to freeze.

Out at sea in the English Channel and the North Sea, ice mingled with the steel-grey waves.

It was a period that has been described as the Little Ice Age.

As soon as the ice was thick enough, people took to the river in their thousands.

They walked, skated, danced and even rode in carriages, across the river’s shimmering surface.

For the wealthy there were horse-drawn sleds.

Enterprising traders set up stalls on the river, selling every kind of food and drink.

There were Christmas delicacies such as freshly baked gingerbread and steaming spiced punch.

Hot beef sandwiches and pies kept the revellers warm.

For pudding there were little cups of hot custard, sometimes flavoured with dried fruit, berries, cinnamon, mace and cloves. Alcohol was everywhere, from “healing port-wine”, white wine from Germany and “nut-brown ale” to something called General Pepper’s brandy.

It was the time of the gin craze when home-brewed gin was cheaper than milk, and gin stalls dotted the ice.

All day long, stalls that looked like improvised tents sold cakes and buns.

The ice was so thick that on January 19, 1716, an enterprising butcher’s assistant called Cripple Atkins, was able to roast two large oxen on the river.

A poet described the frozen river as “a universe of glass”.

In that magical winter wonderland, Londoners set out to party.

And it was not only Londoners.

Despite the terrible weather people travelled from as far as 40 miles away to witness the spectacle.

Many came on foot and everyone who visited the frozen river was entitled to have their name recorded in a special book.

What they saw was a sight never to be forgotten: the ultimate popup theme park.

On 21st January 1716, three weeks before the ice began to melt, the Prince of Wales, the future George II, walked along a stretch of the river cheered by spectators.

He was accompanied by the Duke of Marlborough, and a veritable gaggle of courtiers.

There was also “love for sale” on the ice.

Despite the freezing temperatures, prostitutes plied their trade in tiny booths huddled under the arches of bridges.

Pickpockets targeted members of the crowds, and the availability of cheap alcohol inevitably led to outbreaks of brawling.

In one case high spirits ended badly for all concerned, when four men disappeared on the river.

All four revellers, were presumed dead.

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https://www.express.co.uk/.../Frost-300-years-played-fun...

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https://ko-fi.com/thetudorintruders

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The Thames Frost Fair ~Artist Unknown.