17th January 2024 Sixteenth Century London was cold, very cold. In fact the whole of Britain, from John O’ Groats to Land’s End was, by the end of the century, in the grip of a mini ice-age. Only London, though, could boast being the home of the ‘Ice Juggler’. The city was very likely the abode of many ice jugglers, but there was one in particular who stood out from the rest. His days were spent juggling on the frozen river and since the Thames regularly froze over during that period of history, it became a hive of fascinating activity. Market sellers did their business there and all kinds of weird and wonderful events took place on the surface of the ice. People lit huge fires over the river to keep warm, and allow them to work, eat, drink and socialize on the ice. In fact with the fires and body-warmth, it was warmer on the ice than in the dark, cold, desolate streets.
I really loved this story. Thank you for a good read.
Thank you Claudine