Why Is It Called The Isle Of Dogs
Ever wondered why that bendy bit of London is called the Isle of Dogs? Let's dive in, no poodles harmed in the making of this tale! Back in the Day Picture this: London, 13th...
Ever wondered why that bendy bit of London is called the Isle of Dogs? Let's dive in, no poodles harmed in the making of this tale!
Back in the Day
Picture this: London, 13th century. King Henry III is chillin', probably munching on some mead and meats. Suddenly, he's like, "Yo, let's drain that marshy bit by the Thames and build us a new 'island'!" And thus, the Isle of Dogs was born.
Dogs, Dogs, Dogs
Now, you're thinking, "But where do the dogs come in?" Well, hold your horses. See, back then, this place was a bit of a dump. People were chucking their rubbish here, and with it, their unwanted pups. The area became a haven for stray dogs, hence the name.
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From Stray to Chic
Fast forward to the 19th century. The dogs are gone (sadly, not to a better place, just moved on), but the name stuck. Victorian times roll around, and the area becomes all fancy, with posh houses and whatnot. But it's still called the Isle of Dogs, because, you know, Londoners are nothing if not consistent.
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Docklands Disruption
Then, in the 20th century, along comes the Docklands development. The Isle of Dogs gets a serious makeover, becoming a shiny, modern business hub. But guess what? It's still called the Isle of Dogs. Talk about a name that sticks like glue!
Famous Residents
You might think the Isle of Dogs is all work and no play, but no way! This place has had some famous residents. Charles Dickens lived here for a bit, and even wrote about it in David Copperfield. And get this, the first ever episode of EastEnders was set here too!
Isle of Dogs: Stray Dogs and Show Dogs | Current | The Criterion Collection
Doggy in the Window
But wait, there's more! The Isle of Dogs has its own dog show, the Isle of Dogs Show, which has been going since 1881. It's like a big ol' doggy party, with competitions and all that jazz. Talk about a place that loves its dogs, even if they're not actually there anymore!
Why the Love?
So, why do we still love the Isle of Dogs? Maybe it's because it's a bit quirky, a bit different. It's a place that's changed a lot over the centuries, but its name? That's stuck around like a faithful hound. And isn't that just the most London thing ever?
