London Stone

I know this is an urban story, unless of course the stone referred to below was the original home to Excalibur……

Half a century ago, the “London Stone” returned to its rightful place and the Cuban missile crisis was resolved soon afterwards.

In a fortnight’s time it will make a similar journey home. “We are hoping all the modern woes of life might be reversed now the karma is being restored,” said the Museum of London curator Roy Stephenson.

The London Stone is a not particularly attractive lump of sooty limestone. But it has been laden with a plethora of myths and mysteries, including the belief that if it is moved from its home in the City then London will no longer flourish.

Perhaps for that reason, it has always stayed at 111 Cannon Street, apart from in 1960 when it was moved temporarily to the Guildhall Museum while construction work took place. In 2016 it was transferred to the Museum of London for similar reasons.

On 4 October it will return to its traditional home at 111 Cannon Street, this time to be housed in a newly built retail and office block.

Stephenson, London’s historic environment lead at the Museum of London, said the 76kg stone had never left the City of London’s boundaries so “hopefully we didn’t upset the chakra or the karma which is associated with it.

“It all might be a load of rubbish but who knows, it is better to be on the safe side. I’m really pleased with where it is going … maybe there will be a solution to Brexit.”

Among the stories which surround the stone are that it was brought to London by Brutus, the legendary founder of Britain, with the saying: “So long as the stone of Brutus is safe, so long shall London flourish.”

Across the centuries it has been claimed to be variously a Roman monument or milestone; or was it the stone from which Arthur pulled out his sword Excalibur?

It has been referenced by writers and artists, including Shakespeare in Henry VI Part 2.