Five Fun Facts

1. In 1425, prostitution was illegal in the City of London so men crossed the river to visit the prostitutes who were under the regulation of the Bishop of Winchester. The prostitutes, nick-named the Winchester geese, paid fees to the Bishop.

2. “The clink” was the Bishop of Winchester’s jail. This is where our expression “in the clink” came from.

3. London Bridge was the only bridge across the Thames from London. If the Bishop sent armed men to close off the bridge on his side of the river, you would have to take a barge to visit the prostitutes.

4. London Bridge was crowded with buildings that hung over the sides of the bridge and crossed overhead.  Wealthy merchants were willing to put up with the occasional severed head on display because it was such prime real estate.

5. Henry IV’s wife, Henry V’s step-mother, and Henry VI’s uncle’s wife were all accused of using witchcraft to influence succession to the throne—and the charges may have been true.