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{{Location infobox
  
{{Location infobox
 
|name=London
  
|name=London
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|image=[[File:London_HP1_1.jpg|250px]]
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|image=[[File:Tumblr mshyswGrIE1rhjaiio1 250.gif|250px]]
 
|bgcolor1=
  
|bgcolor1=
 
|bgcolor2=
  
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|owner=
  
|owner=
 
|residents=*[[House of Black|Black family]] (formerly)
  
|residents=*[[House of Black|Black family]] (formerly)
⚫
*[[Armando Dippet]] (formerly)
  
 
*[[Hannah Abbott|Hannah Longbottom]]
  
*[[Hannah Abbott|Hannah Longbottom]]
 
*[[Neville Longbottom]]
  
*[[Neville Longbottom]]
−
*[[British Prime Minister in 1996|Prime Minister]]
 +
*[[Prime Minister]]
 
*[[Tom]] (formerly)
  
*[[Tom]] (formerly)
 
*[[Tom Riddle]] (formerly)
  
*[[Tom Riddle]] (formerly)
  +
*[[Eldon Elsrickle]] (formerly)
  ⚫
*[[Blagdon Blay]] (formerly)
 
|affiliation=
  
|affiliation=
−
|first=''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''
  
⚫
|latest=''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
  
−
|last=
  
−
|cause=
  
 
}}
  
}}
−
'''London''' is the capital of [[England]] and the United Kingdom. Located in southeastern England, London is the centre of British commerce and government for both [[Muggle]]s and [[Wizards|wizards and witches]].
 +
'''London''' is the capital of [[England]] and the United Kingdom. Located in southeastern England, London is the centre of British commerce and government for both [[Muggle]]s and [[Wizardkind|wizards and witches]].
 
==History==
  
==History==
  +
==="The Spectral Thief of Old London Town"===
  +
[[File:Eldon_Elsrickle.png|thumb|left|170px|[[Eldon Elsrickle]], the "Spectral Thief of Old London Town".]]
  +
In the early [[17th century]], [[Wizardkind|wizard]] thief [[Eldon Elsrickle]] returned to London after having fled to [[Africa]] for a time to evade imprisonment. In [[Africa]], he learnt about the [[Unlocking Charm]] (which was, at the time, an unheard of spell in the western world) from an [[ancient African sorcerer]].<ref name="WBoS">''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]''</ref>
  +
  +
Elsrickle terrorised London with his new spell, burgling [[Muggle]] and [[Wizardkind|wizarding]] homes alike. It was only when fellow Londoner [[Blagdon Blay]] invented the [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] (in response to having his house broken-into nineteen times in the course of two weeks) that Londoners found safety again, and a frustrated Elsrickle stopped.<ref name="WBoS"/>
  +
 
===The Great Fire of London===
  
===The Great Fire of London===
−
The [[Great Fire of London]] was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the City of London, on September of [[1660s|1666]]. The [[Muggle]]s say the Great Fire of London started in [[Bakery (Pudding Lane)|a bakery]] on [[Pudding Lane]], but there is debate among the wizarding community whether it began in the bakery or in the basement of the house next door, where legend has it a young [[Common Welsh Green|Welsh Green]] was being kept. <ref name="WOMBAT">Fifth question of the third [[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test|W.O.M.B.A.T.]] at [[J.K.Rowling Official Site|J.K. Rowling's Official Site]]</ref>
 +
The [[Great Fire of London]] was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the City of London, beginning on Sunday, 2 September, [[1660s|1666]]. The [[Muggle]]s say the Great Fire of London started in [[Bakery (Pudding Lane)|a bakery]] on [[Pudding Lane]], but there is debate among the wizarding community whether it began in the bakery or in the basement of the house next door, where legend has it a young [[Common Welsh Green|Welsh Green]] was being kept. <ref name="WOMBAT">Fifth question of the third [[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test|W.O.M.B.A.T.]] at [[J.K.Rowling Official Site|J.K. Rowling's Official Site]]</ref>
  +
  +
===19th century===
  +
[[File:SirHerbertVarney.png|thumb|140px|[[Herbert Varney|Sir Herbert Varney]].]]
  +
In the late [[19th century]], the conditions on the relatively impoverished neighbourhoods of London worsened: robbery, violence, prostitution, social disturbance and alcohol dependency were commonplace.<ref name="Wikipedia19thcentury">[[Wikipedia:19th century London|19th century London]], on [[Wikipedia:Main page|Wikipedia]]</ref>
  +
  +
As a climate of crime and fear flourished in the [[1880s]], [[Herbert Varney|Sir Herbert Varney]], a [[vampire]], started to prey on London women. He was eventually hunted down and killed by a specially-assigned task-force from the [[Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures]].<ref name="PAg">''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)]]'' {{FWC mention}}</ref> Around the same time, a [[Boggart]], popularly known as the [[Bludgeoning Boggart of Old London Town]], prowled the back streets of London and, feeding on people's fears, took on the form of a "murderous thug", before having been reduced to a hamster with one simple incantation<ref name="Pottermore">''[[Pottermore]]'' - [http://www.pottermore.com/en/book3/chapter7/moment1/boggart New from J.K. Rowling: "Boggart"]</ref> — these two seem to account for the "serial killer" that Muggles dubbed "[[Wikipedia:Jack the Ripper|Jack the Ripper]]".
   
 
===Caractacus Phelps's prank===
  
===Caractacus Phelps's prank===
−
On [[1 April]], [[1979]], [[Caractacus Phelps]] exploded no less than eight-hundred [[Stink Pellets]] by dropping them en-masse from the roof of the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'' building in [[Diagon Alley]]. The resultant gas cloud caused untold discomfort throughout London and approximately five-hundred cases of [[Stinkitus]] were reported. The [[Muggle]] authorities explained the stinking cloud away as an unpleasant emission from a nearby factory.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)]]'' - GameCube/GameBoy Advance Link (Harry reads about this on a Hint Book, at Gringotts)</ref>
 +
On [[1 April]], [[1979]], [[Caractacus Phelps]] exploded no less than eight-hundred [[Stink Pellets]], by dropping them en-masse from the roof of the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'' building in [[Diagon Alley]]. The resultant gas cloud caused untold discomfort throughout London, and approximately five-hundred cases of [[Stinkitus]] were reported. The [[Muggle]] authorities explained the stinking cloud away as an unpleasant emission from a nearby factory.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)]]'' - GameCube/GameBoy Advance Link (Harry reads about this on a Hint Book, at Gringotts)</ref>
   
 
[[File:Dark Mark Over London.JPG|210px|thumb|left|The [[Dark Mark]] towering over London, shortly after the destruction of the [[Millennium Bridge]].]]
  
[[File:Dark Mark Over London.JPG|210px|thumb|left|The [[Dark Mark]] towering over London, shortly after the destruction of the [[Millennium Bridge]].]]
   
 
===Second Wizarding War===
  
===Second Wizarding War===
−
London strongly felt the effects of the [[Second Wizarding War]]. Many buildings and homes were destroyed or ransacked and many people were attacked within the City during [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s rise of power: a crowded [[Millennium Bridge]] was brought down by a group of [[Death Eaters]],<ref name="HBP/f">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]''</ref> [[Emmeline Vance]] was found dead near 10 Downing Street,<ref name="HBP1">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 1 (''The Other Minister'')</ref> [[Diagon Alley]] was [[Attack on Diagon Alley|attacked]], leading to [[Ollivander]]'s kidnapping and [[Florean Fortescue]]'s murder.<ref name="HBP1" />
 +
London felt the effects of the [[Second Wizarding War]] severely. Many buildings and homes were destroyed or ransacked, and many people were attacked within the City during [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s rise of power: a crowded [[Millennium Bridge]] was brought down by a group of [[Death Eaters]],<ref name="HBP/f">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]''</ref> [[Emmeline Vance]] was found dead near 10 Downing Street,<ref name="HBP1">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 1 (''The Other Minister'')</ref> [[Diagon Alley]] was [[Attack on Diagon Alley|attacked]], leading to [[Garrick Ollivander]]'s kidnapping and [[Florean Fortescue]]'s murder.<ref name="HBP1"/>
   
 
==Important locations==
  
==Important locations==
 
===Governmental locations===
  
===Governmental locations===
−
[[File:Ministry Visitors Entrance.JPG|thumb|250px|right|The visitors' entrance to the Headquarters of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] on a London street.]]
 +
[[File:Ministry_Visitors_Entrance.JPG|thumb|235px|The visitors' entrance to the Headquarters of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] on a London street.]]
 
London is an important city because it is where the Government of the whole United Kingdom is located. Some of its governmental locations include:
  
London is an important city because it is where the Government of the whole United Kingdom is located. Some of its governmental locations include:
−
*[[10 Downing Street]] <ref name="HBP1" /> (the official residence and office of the [[British Prime Minister in 1996|Muggle Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]])
 +
*[[Prime Minister's office|10 Downing Street]] <ref name="HBP1" /> (the official residence and office of the [[Prime Minister|Muggle Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]])
 
*[[British Ministry of Magic]] Headquarters (main offices of the Ministry of Magic)
  
*[[British Ministry of Magic]] Headquarters (main offices of the Ministry of Magic)
 
*[[Buckingham Palace]] <ref name="QB">''[[The Queen's Handbag]]''</ref>
  
*[[Buckingham Palace]] <ref name="QB">''[[The Queen's Handbag]]''</ref>
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*[[Knockturn Alley]] <ref name="CS4">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 4 (''At Flourish and Blotts'')</ref> (a wizarding commercial street, including many shops dedicated to the [[Dark Arts]])
  
*[[Knockturn Alley]] <ref name="CS4">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 4 (''At Flourish and Blotts'')</ref> (a wizarding commercial street, including many shops dedicated to the [[Dark Arts]])
 
*[[Bakery (Pudding Lane)|Pudding Lane's Bakery]] <ref name="WOMBAT" /> (formerly)
  
*[[Bakery (Pudding Lane)|Pudding Lane's Bakery]] <ref name="WOMBAT" /> (formerly)
  +
*[[Screed & Sons]]
 
*[[Leaky Cauldron|The Leaky Cauldron]] <ref name="PS5"/> (a "portal between the two worlds", this inn was used to gain entrance to Diagon Alley)
  
*[[Leaky Cauldron|The Leaky Cauldron]] <ref name="PS5"/> (a "portal between the two worlds", this inn was used to gain entrance to Diagon Alley)
 
*[[Third Hand Book Emporium]] <ref name="PA/f"/> (a large bookshop)
  
*[[Third Hand Book Emporium]] <ref name="PA/f"/> (a large bookshop)
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London is the location of many important institutions, including:
  
London is the location of many important institutions, including:
 
*The main offices of [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank|Gringotts Bank]] <ref name="PS5"/> (the wizards' bank; located at [[Diagon Alley]])
  
*The main offices of [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank|Gringotts Bank]] <ref name="PS5"/> (the wizards' bank; located at [[Diagon Alley]])
−
[[File:Gringotts bank.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]]'s main offices.]]
 +
[[File:Gringotts_bank.jpg|thumb|230px|[[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]]'s main offices.]]
 
*[[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]] (a wizarding hospital, concealed on a [[Purge and Dowse, Ltd|unused department shop]])
  
*[[St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]] (a wizarding hospital, concealed on a [[Purge and Dowse, Ltd|unused department shop]])
 
*[[12 Grimmauld Place]] (first used as the main residence of the [[House of Black]]; it was once used as headquarters of the [[Order of the Phoenix]])
  
*[[12 Grimmauld Place]] (first used as the main residence of the [[House of Black]]; it was once used as headquarters of the [[Order of the Phoenix]])
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==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
−
*London is a location that the films are often filmed in, the heart of London has been used in various scenes throughout the [[Harry Potter films|films]], including taking Harry from his home to the [[12 Grimmauld Place|Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix]], in which he and the [[Advance Guard|others]] flew across the River Thames. The shots of the [[Millennium Bridge]] moments prior to its destruction were also filmed at London, on the real-life bridge.
 +
*London is a location that the films are often filmed in; the heart of London has been used in various scenes throughout the [[Harry Potter films|films]], including taking Harry from his home to the [[12 Grimmauld Place|Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix]], in which scene he and the [[Advance Guard|others]] flew across the River Thames. The shots of the [[Millennium Bridge]] moments prior to its destruction were also filmed in London, on the real-life bridge.
 
*London has held premières of the [[Harry Potter films|films]].
  
*London has held premières of the [[Harry Potter films|films]].
−
*The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_eye London Eye] appears in the [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2|second part of the film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', in the year [[1997]] despite the fact that the wheel was only erected in [[1999]], although it is possible that the films are set later than the books.
 +
*The [[wikipedia:London Eye|London Eye]] appears in the [[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2|second part of the film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', in the year [[1997]] despite the fact that the wheel was only erected in [[1999]].
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
  +
{{Imagecat|Images of London}}
 
[[File:Death_Eaters_attacked_London_and_kidnapped_Ollivander.gif|thumb|right|258px|The [[Dark Mark]] and [[Death Eaters]] [[Apparition|apparating]] appeared in the sky over London.]]
  
[[File:Death_Eaters_attacked_London_and_kidnapped_Ollivander.gif|thumb|right|258px|The [[Dark Mark]] and [[Death Eaters]] [[Apparition|apparating]] appeared in the sky over London.]]
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]''
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)]]''
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (video game)]]''
  ⚫
*''[[Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book]]''
 
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
  
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
  +
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
  +
*''[[Pottermore]]'' {{Mention}}
   
 
==External Links==
  
==External Links==
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[[fr:Londres]]
  
[[fr:Londres]]
  +
[[pl:Londyn]]
 
[[Category:London| ]]
  
[[Category:London| ]]
 
[[Category:Locations (real-world)]]
  
[[Category:Locations (real-world)]]

Revision as of 20:58, 8 May 2014

Mirror of Erised "Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"

The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really existed), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts.

London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. Located in southeastern England, London is the centre of British commerce and government for both Muggles and wizards and witches.

History

"The Spectral Thief of Old London Town"

Eldon Elsrickle

Eldon Elsrickle, the "Spectral Thief of Old London Town".

In the early 17th century, wizard thief Eldon Elsrickle returned to London after having fled to Africa for a time to evade imprisonment. In Africa, he learnt about the Unlocking Charm (which was, at the time, an unheard of spell in the western world) from an ancient African sorcerer.[1]

Elsrickle terrorised London with his new spell, burgling Muggle and wizarding homes alike. It was only when fellow Londoner Blagdon Blay invented the Anti-Alohomora Charm (in response to having his house broken-into nineteen times in the course of two weeks) that Londoners found safety again, and a frustrated Elsrickle stopped.[1]

The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the City of London, beginning on Sunday, 2 September, 1666. The Muggles say the Great Fire of London started in a bakery on Pudding Lane, but there is debate among the wizarding community whether it began in the bakery or in the basement of the house next door, where legend has it a young Welsh Green was being kept. [2]

19th century

SirHerbertVarney

Sir Herbert Varney.

In the late 19th century, the conditions on the relatively impoverished neighbourhoods of London worsened: robbery, violence, prostitution, social disturbance and alcohol dependency were commonplace.[3]

As a climate of crime and fear flourished in the 1880s, Sir Herbert Varney, a vampire, started to prey on London women. He was eventually hunted down and killed by a specially-assigned task-force from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.[4] Around the same time, a Boggart, popularly known as the Bludgeoning Boggart of Old London Town, prowled the back streets of London and, feeding on people's fears, took on the form of a "murderous thug", before having been reduced to a hamster with one simple incantation[5] — these two seem to account for the "serial killer" that Muggles dubbed "Jack the Ripper".

Caractacus Phelps's prank

On 1 April, 1979, Caractacus Phelps exploded no less than eight-hundred Stink Pellets, by dropping them en-masse from the roof of the Daily Prophet building in Diagon Alley. The resultant gas cloud caused untold discomfort throughout London, and approximately five-hundred cases of Stinkitus were reported. The Muggle authorities explained the stinking cloud away as an unpleasant emission from a nearby factory.[6]

Dark Mark Over London

The Dark Mark towering over London, shortly after the destruction of the Millennium Bridge.

Second Wizarding War

London felt the effects of the Second Wizarding War severely. Many buildings and homes were destroyed or ransacked, and many people were attacked within the City during Lord Voldemort's rise of power: a crowded Millennium Bridge was brought down by a group of Death Eaters,[7] Emmeline Vance was found dead near 10 Downing Street,[8] Diagon Alley was attacked, leading to Garrick Ollivander's kidnapping and Florean Fortescue's murder.[8]

Important locations

Governmental locations

Ministry Visitors Entrance

The visitors' entrance to the Headquarters of the Ministry of Magic on a London street.

London is an important city because it is where the Government of the whole United Kingdom is located. Some of its governmental locations include:

Commercial locations

London is a centre of commerce for both the Muggle and the Wizarding community. Some of its commercial sites include:

Institutions

London is the location of many important institutions, including:

Gringotts bank

Gringotts Wizarding Bank's main offices.

Other locations

Behind the scenes

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 195 images related to London.
Death Eaters attacked London and kidnapped Ollivander

The Dark Mark and Death Eaters apparating appeared in the sky over London.

External Links

London on Wikipedia

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wonderbook: Book of Spells
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fifth question of the third W.O.M.B.A.T. at J.K. Rowling's Official Site
  3. ↑ 19th century London, on Wikipedia
  4. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Mentioned on a Famous Wizard Card)
  5. ↑ Pottermore - New from J.K. Rowling: "Boggart"
  6. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) - GameCube/GameBoy Advance Link (Harry reads about this on a Hint Book, at Gringotts)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Chapter 1 (The Other Minister)
  9. ↑ The Queen's Handbag
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
  12. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
  13. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 4 (At Flourish and Blotts)
  14. ↑ Daily Prophet Newsletters
  15. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 15 (The Goblin's Revenge)
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