Whittington Stone facts for kids
The Whittington Stone is a special stone monument and a statue of a cat in Archway. It stands at the bottom of Highgate Hill, a street in London. This spot is famous because it's where the story says a sad Dick Whittington heard the Bow Bells ringing. He was a young man returning home after a tough time as a kitchen helper in the city of London. The bells, ringing from about 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) away, seemed to predict his future success. They supposedly said, "Turn again Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London!" This famous quote and a short history of Dick Whittington are carved into the stone. There's also a pub next to it with the same name.
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The Whittington Stone: A London Legend
What is the Whittington Stone?
The large stone monument was first put up in 1821. It was fixed up in 1935, and the cat statue was added later in 1964. The monument is made of two parts of Portland stone. The writing on one side is now almost completely worn away. However, the writing on the other side tells the story of Sir Richard Whittington (who lived from about 1354 to 1423). He was an important merchant and leader in London. The stone mentions his three or four times as the Lord Mayor of London.
The Story of Dick Whittington
The memorial marks the exact spot where the famous story takes place. 'Dick Whittington' was feeling very discouraged after his unlucky try to become rich in the City. As he was leaving, he heard the bells of St Mary-le-Bow church ring out. They seemed to say, 'Turn again Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London.' This encouraged him to go back, and he eventually became very successful.
How the Stone Looks Today
On top of the stone is a sculpture of a cat, added in 1964. It was made by Jonathan Kenworthy from shiny black Kellymount limestone. Strong iron railings surround the stone. These railings have fancy designs and pointed tops. The stone and railings sit on a low, wide stone base that is mostly built into the sidewalk. Since 1972, this monument has been protected by law as a listed building, which means it's an important historical site.
For many years, the area where the stone stands was thought to be the northern part of Upper Holloway. This was before the nearby arched bridge was built in the early 1800s.
Dick Whittington's Lasting Impact
Helping Londoners
Besides being a character in nursery rhymes, stories, and plays, Dick Whittington was praised for many good deeds. As Lord Mayor, he made sure a hospital for new mothers was built. He also helped create better drains for the poor people of London during his lifetime.
His Charity Lives On
When he died, Dick Whittington left his money to a charity. This charity was set up to help many different people in need. It is still active today, continuing to help people in the 21st century.
