Gerard the Giant

Meet Gerard the giant dates from c1670

This figure shown in Photo 1 stood at the front elevation of what was Gerard’s Hall at Basing Lane, Cheapside in the City of London. Legend had it that a giant lived in the building.

Photo 2: Shows a Trade card engraving for T. Younghusband, Gerard's Hall Hotel, Basing Lane. Additional hand writing indicates the position of an effigy before 1835.

Photo 3: Shows a map of where Gerard’s Hall was situated.

The crypt of Gerard's Hall survived the great fire of London in 1666  and was used as a cellar with barrels against the walls with a vaulted ceiling but was removed in a street widening scheme during 1852. Photo 4 shows an illustration of the crypt dated 1795.