Place Name
Leads, unsurprisingly, to Albert Bridge. Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (August 26, 1819 – December 14, 1861) was consort to Queen Victoria. The pair, who were first cousins, wed on February 10 1840. Soon after he became “an informal but powerful member of government”. He was insistent on developing the Crown’s influence as an impartial force in domestic affairs and repeatedly clashed with the gung-ho Lord Palmerston over foreign policy. He developed a reputation for supporting public causes, such as educational reform and the abolition of slavery worldwide, and was entrusted with running the Queen’s household, office, and estates. He was heavily involved with the organisation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Despite all this he never managed to shake off public disapproval. His death was thought to have been from typhoid fever but today it is believed he may have been suffering from a chronic condition, such as Crohn’s disease, renal failure, or abdominal cancer. This was one of many roads across London that were named after him in a wave of fervent patriotism, particularly in the expanding fringes of London. The bridge was opened in 1873 is the only crossing to be named after a person, it is the site of London’s only surviving bridge tollbooths despite being free to cross since 1879. Its nickname, the Trembling Lady, comes from the vibrations caused when large numbers of pedestrians crossed and explains why there are signs instructing soldiers to break step. The colourful paintwork and lights serve not simply to enhance its appearance but also its visibility to boats.
