Category Archives: Clerkenwell
More Clerkenwell history: the Russian connection and a musical coal man
Where would you find Russian revolutionaries in the early 1900s? The biographies of the future leaders of the Soviet Union show that they were men well travelled as it was not easy to organise left-wing parties in Tsarist Russia, and radicals were often forced into exile. I wrote last week about Clerkenwell’s radical history, and [...]
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Clerkenwell Green: radical centre & relaxing spa springs
Clerkenwell as a haven from the urban bustle? It may be hard to believe it now, but Clerkenwell was once considered to be a country retreat from the city. King John stayed for a break in the Clerkenwell Priory in 1212. The area was also renowned for its relaxing spa springs and pleasure gardens during [...]
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Clerkenwell history: ghosts, cows, medical monks and revolution
Ever wondered what lies behind the name of the area you live or work in, what history is held by the streets you tread daily? In a rush to get around much of the time we remain unaware of the dramas of the past. Our office is based in Clerkenwell, a busy part of central [...]
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Taking Translation to Clerkenwell Design Week
The signs are up, the windows dressed, the installations in place.“Clerkenwell Design Week” started yesterday and is set to finish tomorrow. Now that’s somewhat short of a week, but no less interesting for it as the streets are full of “design” of all sorts. image: Clerkenwell Design Week • Jim Dickson is a director of [...]
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Little Italy alive and well in Clerkenwell
One of the great things about being based in Clerkenwell is its character. This area, just north of the City of London, is a maze of back streets and alleyways. In fact, Clerkenwell is the backdrop for Fagin’s gang of pickpockets in the book Oliver Twist as Charles Dickens knew the area well. A decade [...]
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Clerkenwell House of Detention, ghost tales and mummified cats