On the Top of St. Paul's
Our field trip for this day took us to the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral for examples of English crime and punishment throughout history. I asked my students to take the Beefeater‘s Tour of the tower, something that’s always entertaining. I’ve visited the tower several times over the last 15 years, and I always have the same thought: was anyone who was imprisoned or executed here really guilty of anything? Still, it’s a great palimpsest of London politics and government.
St. Paul’s might be my favorite cathedral of those I’ve ever visited. When I first visited in the early nineties, they allowed photography. They don’t now, but they still charge. Wonder why? (I suppose strobes and clicks would disrupt the Jesusy stuff going on. I did remember to take my hat off this time. I know how hats offend God.) Still, I did climb the stairs all the way to the top to photograph a mean London sky. I also sat for a time meditating under Wren’s golden dome that separates us from heaven. I also gave my respects to the memorials of Blake, Wren, and Donne.
Check out my Tower and St. Paul’s galleries.
