St Katharine's & Wapping in Tower Hamlets in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
History beneath your feet
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 27, 2018
1. History beneath your feet Marker
In 1389 Geoffrey Chaucer, poet and Royal Clerk of the Works, ordered the construction of this part of the Tower Wharf. 64 years later gun foundries and workshops were added. In 1803 a factory was built here to make hand-guns for the war against Napoleon. The buildings were later demolished and in 1886 construction of Tower Bridge began.
Archaeologists investigated this site before the restaurant was built. They discovered a massive defensive stone wall, over a metre thick. It was part of the 17th century fortification of the Wharf, and was built when old Tudor workshops were cleared away. 18th century cellar walls, steps and yard floors were found, as well as some foundations of the factory. This important archaeology was recorded and re-buried, to preserve it beneath your feet.
( the text is also presented in ten additional languages)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1389.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 51° 30.42′ N, 0° 4.512′ W. Marker was in Tower Hamlets,
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in London and in the Greater South East. Globally, it was on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Poet and the Wharf (here, next to this marker); The East Gate (here, next to this marker); Iron 13-inch Mortar and Bed (a few steps from this marker); Iron 13-inch Mortar (a few steps from this marker); Escape from the Tower (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 27, 2018
2. History beneath your feet Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on September 30, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the non-English text. • Can you help?
