When people think of Fleet Street they usually think of its association with journalism and the printing industry.
But it also has a connection with the traditional tiered wedding cake.
The connection stems from its most famous church – the appropriately named St Bride’s - just round the corner from the Old Bell Tavern on St Bride’s Avenue. But the wedding connection has nothing to do with the name. The church was named after St Brigid of Kildare - hence Bride - when it was founded around the 6th Century.
The current version is thought to be the 7th version – Christopher Wren’s version after it was destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666. It was Wren’s most expensive rebuild – and arguably his finest parish church – but it was the steeple that provided the wow factor.
Added in 1703, the steeple made St Bride’s the tallest church in London – after St Paul’s. That – together with its elaborate design –– meant it was a bit of a show stopper.
But what’s that got to do with wedding cakes? Well, in the late 1700s it was this steeple – with its 4 diminishing octagonal stages - that is said to have inspired baker’s apprentice, William Rich, to create a multi-tiered wedding cake for his bride to be. Either that or he was trying to impress her father – who happened to be his boss!
His creation was said to have been a commercial success – and so began the tradition of the tiered wedding cake.
Fact or fiction? We will never know. But we City mice do love a good old romantic story. And the lovely couple – William and Susannah – are buried in St Bride's graveyard.
The church – also known as the Journalists' Church - is well worth a visit. Or join us on one of our Fleet Street walks and find out more.