LONDON, U.K.--Like the French and the Germans, the British are a proud people. Proud of their history, culture, country and people.
And they have the reasons. Their history is rich. Their buildings, specially the old, stand strong, sturdy and full of moments worth researching, reliving, retelling.
There’s of course Queen Elizabeth II, who in September next year shall become the longest ever reigning monarch in British history. And there’s the very lovable and glamorous couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
There’s the British Broadcasting Corp., which broadcasts in forty languages around the
world.
And the Savoy Hotel, the first luxury hotel in Britain and known to be first in introducing electric lights throughout the building, bathrooms in most of the lavishly furnished rooms, electric lifts, and constant hot and cold running water.
Our tour guide Ruth rattled off the world’s royalty and celebrities frequenting Savoy, the volumes of wine and champagne, and the tons and tons of caviar consumed every years. So many were the figures that I lost count.
It’s proud, too, of its many castles and cathedrals. The St. Paul’s Cathedral, for instance, is 365 feet from ground to top, just like the 365 days of the year.
The architect was reportedly once a math professor who always gave his creations a numerical significance.
She brought us underneath the cathedral’s dome where the crypt was. With a muted scoff, she wondered how the word “crypt” ever got to be a fear-stimulating word.
Cryptology, after all, is the science of analyzing and deciphering codes, ciphers and cryptograms; the study of things hidden, often underground, thus requiring some digging. “Certainly not sinister or scary, I should say,” said Ruth.
True enough, in the wide crypt were a café selling refreshments and souvenir items,
and tables for reading and researching. But again, photo/video taking was prohibited.
In the wide crypt, our guide pointed to us the tombs of the British general Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, and of Horatio Nelson. Known and revered for their triumphs in the Napoleonic wars, Wellesley led the army in defeating Napoleon Bonaparte in the Battle of Waterloo.
For his triumph, Wellesley received 60,000 British pounds as prize money. He used some of this to purchase an estate and then returned 40,000 to the treasury.
Horatio Nelson was the most famous admiral and is celebrated most as the greatest sea warrior for the Battle of Trafalgar, the biggest naval victory in British history.
Before the battle, he sent a signal to his fleet saying “England expects that every man will do his duty.” He died in the battle, and his last words were “Thank God I have done my duty.”
Though Italian by descent, Bonaparte claimed French citizenship. Despite his military prowess, he was defeated by Wellesley and Nelson. “Napoleon tried to invade us; he lost, didn’t he?” Ruth said. This time, the scoff was quite discernible.
Over their tombs hung various flags, each representing the battle they had led and won. By now, these flags have darkened from age but they hang steady and sure, like dogs loyal to their master.
(lelani.echaves@gmail.com)