The violent history of London’s Royal Parks

MANY OF THOSE who amble around the eight Royal Parks in London are seeking an escape from the noisy city beyond. That tranquility belies a bloody past, as is made clear by a small exhibition called “Play, Protests and Pelicans”, currently on show at the Garden Museum in Lambeth. , the sites of hangings, duels and violent riots.

Charles II, who had returned from exile in France to sit on the English throne, brought home with him a sense of wonderment at the wide walkways and formal grandeur that he had seen at the Palace of Versailles. The king wanted something similar for himself. So he turned St James’s Park into an approximation, with formal lakes and striking avenues that beat a path between two of his residences, Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace.

The right of people to expound on whichever subject they chose at Speakers’ Corner was passed into law in 1872. The Royal Parks had by that time become the preferred place for angry protesters to congregate. In 1855 perhaps 750,000 people gathered—and then ran amok—to rail against new licensing laws that restricted the sale of booze. In 1866 thousands marched to demand that the franchise be extended. When they found themselves locked out of Hyde Park a riot ensued.

they say the numbers were around 1,100. 1,000 & 100 women. Strong rumor they dug up Oliver Cromwell & hanged him!!?

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