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In the Middle Ages, the settlement of Charing was in the countryside between the old city of London and Westminster. Charing was very small and consisted of a small church with a few houses clustered around it.
The monument known as Charing Cross was created as a memorial for Queen Eleanor of Castile. Shortly after her death near Lincoln in 1290 her body was taken to Westminster Abbey. Her husband Edward I marked the twelve resting places on the route with crosses, the last of which was Charing Cross.
The original Charing Cross was demolished in 1647. Its place is now occupied by the equestrian statue of Charles I. A Victorian replica of Charing Cross by Edward Middelton Barry stands outside Charing Cross Station.
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Detail of Charing Village, Faithornes map of the West End, 1658 © Westminster City Archive
Drawing of Charing Cross
© Westminster City Archive
Contemporary photograph of the Victorian Charing Cross by Jeremy Young |
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