Special Sub-Topic: A Little Look at London History Click Here To Play: A Little Look at London History

Where in London will you find the only statue of King Henry VIII?

St Bartholomew's Hospital. St Bart's began in 1123 as a priory church hospital for the poor. It came under threat of closure during the reign of Henry VIII. However due to petitioning by the london citizens Henry relented. In 1546 he granted St Bart's to the City of London. Henry's statue is above the main gate which was built in 1702 by the stonemasons working on St Paul's cathedral.

Buckingham Palace was first built by the Duke of Buckingham. What were his given names?

John Sheffield. It was built in 1703 as the Duke's London home. On his death it passed to his son, who sold it to King George III in 1761. It was then the home of Queen Charlotte. It passed on to King George IV in 1820, and its progression from home to palace began. John Nash was commisioned to do the reconstruction.

The late Queen Mother lived in Clarence house, which was built in 1825 for the then Duke of Clarence, who later became which king?

William lV. Clarence House was once part of St James's palace. The Duke of Clarence, who was to become King William IV, lived there from 1791. During its history he has been home to many royals. In 1952 on the death of her husband King George VI it became the home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother until her death in 2002.

In St James' Square there is a statue of William III How did he die - which caused Jacobites to raise a toast to "the little gentleman in black velvet"?

his horse tripped over a molehill. The Jacobites were Scottish Highlanders who were supporters of King James II, who was succeeded by William III in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The Scots had to swear allegiance to him but the head of the MacDonald clan refused, and William ordered nearly forty of his clan to be killed. It became known as the Glencoe Massacre. If you ever visit London then look carefully at the statue, and you will see a little molehill under the horse's rear left leg.

Who founded the London zoo in Regent's Park?

Sir Stamford Raffles. Sir Stamford Raffles is perhaps better known as the founder of Singapore. However in 1826 he became the first President of the Zoological Society of London. He envisaged the zoo not as a place of entertainment, but a place for the teaching of zoology. Sir Stamford Raffles died before he saw his plans come to fruition.

The Albert Memorial, built after the death of Queen Victoria's consort, shows the prince holding what?

catalogue of the Great Exhibition. The Great Exhibition of 1851 was Prince Alberts own idea. It was such a success that most of the museums in Kensington were built from the profits. The Albert Memorial was designed in true Victorian Gothic style. In the early 1990's it was in need of repair due to the effects of weather, time, and pollution. It was suggested that it be demolished but the conservationists won. Albert now sits in all his original gilded glory.

Where would you find the Strangers' Gallery?

Houses of Parliament. Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords have a Strangers' Gallery. This is where any member of the public can witness the workings of government. The House of Commons is more popular than the Lords, whose debates tend to go at a much slower place.

The Banqueting house is the only remaining part of which palace?

Whitehall. Henry VIII took possession of York Place in 1530 and changed its name to Whithall Palace. Over the next few years he transformed it into the largest palace in Europe. It was from Whitehall Palace that King Charles l was taken to his execution in 1649. In 1698 the palace was destroyed by fire, only the Banqueting House remained untouched.

Which London theatre is named after an historic tavern which was destroyed in the Great Fire of London (1666)?

The Mermaid. The original Mermaid had been founded by Sir Walter Raleigh and became a meeting place of 'the great and good' of his day. The present Mermaid theatre was founded in 1959 by the actor Sir Bernard Miles. Unfortunately the theatre at Puddle Dock Blackfriars is under threat of demolishion.

The statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus is made of which material?

aluminium. Eros stands at one of the busiest parts of london. Originally it was named the Shaftsbury Monument after the philanthropist Lord Shafsbury. Being made of aluminium meant it was vunerable to vandalism. In 1994 it suffered severe damage when a drunken visitor decided to climb over it. After repairs, Eros was replaced on the fountain - as good as new.