2016 Pearly Kings&Queens Harvest Festival Parade, London, England,
Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival celebrations at Guildhall Yard,London. The Pearly Kings and Queens of London get together for the biggest event in the Pearly calendar, they will be celebrating the bounty of the autumn harvest with traditional entertainment in front of the Guildhall before parading through the streets to St Mary Le Bow Church for a service of thanksgiving. The tradition of the Pearly Kings and Queens was started in the 19th century by Henry Croft, an orphan who worked as a street sweeper in the market of Somers Town, by the local Costermongers, a close-knit group of market traders who looked after one another and were recognisable by buttons sewed onto their garments, Henry went out on the streets to collect money for charity, wearing a suit covered in pearl buttons to attract attention. When demand for his help became too much, Henry asked the Costermongers for assistance, many of whom became the first Pearly through the family, the tradition continues to this day: Croft's great-granddaughter is the Pearly Queen of Somers Town, and many Pearly Kings and Queens are carrying on Henry Croft's charitable aims to this day.
Size: 3264px × 4896px
Location: Guildhall Yard, London, England,
Photo credit: © BRIAN ANTHONY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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