Plaque

Great Maze Pond

Inscription

{Below some early drawings of the Hospital buildings:}
Great Maze Pond
The "Maze" Pond, which used to be situated at the southern end of the Guy's site, was fed by a tributary of the River Thames, now known as 'Guy's Creek'. Archaeological excavation of the site has unearthed an early Romano-British boat and Roman timbers edging the creek.
In the Middle Ages farmers from Kent and Surrey used to drive their cattle up to London for sale at Smithfield Market. The fields around the Maze Pond were a focal point where the cattle were grazed and watered.
"Mr Guy's Hospital for Incurables" was built on this site in 1725. John Rocque's 1746 Map of London shows the pond still in existence. The local street-names then included "Maze Pond", " Little Maze Pond" and "The Maze pond", which subsequently became Great Maze Pond - the name it still has today.

That's all well and good, but was there a maze? All that text and not a word about the maze. Elsewhere we've read that 'maze pond' was probably a corruption of 'May's pond', as in farmer May. Disappointing, isn't it?

Site: Great Maze Pond (4 memorials)

SE1, Great Maze Pond

In our photo the three iron-work panels can just be seen on the railings in front of the lady with the suitcase. In all honesty only the one representing Thomas Guy can be considered a memorial but they are all rather fun - we particularly like the one with the grapes.

An information board attached to the railings of the gate explains that the theme for the three panel artwork is the Hospital's motto: “It is better to give than to receive”, "Dare Quam Accipere". The book in the middle panel carries the text: "Created by Chris Butcher, artist blacksmith for George James & Sons, blacksmiths".

Left to right: the first panel shows the grapes given by visitors taking root in the patient's bedside cabinet. The second panel represents how staff give to the hospital: time, skill, knowledge and scientific endeavour. The last panel shows Thomas Guy giving the plans of the hospital. For simplicity we've put links to the creators only on the page for the last panel.

Researching the nearby Roman boat we found some history about the pond(s).

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Great Maze Pond

Subjects commemorated i

Guy's Hospital

Founded by Thomas Guy in concept in 1721 but it was not until 6 January 1725 ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Great Maze Pond

Created by i

Pool of London Partnership

From City of London : The Pool of London Partnership was established in 1996 ...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Great Maze Pond

Also at this site i

Nearby Memorials

Cordwainers' Hall

Cordwainers' Hall

EC4, Cannon Street

The plaque is in our picture but it's such a dull day you can't see it. Three more steps and the man will be standing in front of it.

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Emily Wilding Davison - Tattenham Corner

Emily Wilding Davison - Tattenham Corner

KT18, Epsom Racecourse, Tattenham Corner

Not an easy plaque to find. Google Street View has a camera line taken from the racecourse itself which shows the back of the plaque. Usi...

1 subject commemorated
St Aloysius' College War Memorial

St Aloysius' College War Memorial

N6, Hornsey Lane

{On the marble base:} To the sacred and loving memory of the Aloysians who gave their lives for their country in the Great War. 1914 - ...

War dead | WW1, WW2
114 subjects commemorated
St Olave Parish Hall

St Olave Parish Hall

EC3, Mark Lane

The St Olave inscription is below the central ground floor window, behind the bike rack. The other memorial/information board is in front...

4 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
2 - Red Lion Court – Caslon

2 - Red Lion Court – Caslon

EC4, Fleet Street

There are 8 Courts running off the north side of this section of Fleet Street and on the ground at the entrance to each Court is a plaque...

4 subjects commemorated

Previously viewed

Charles James Fox

Charles James Fox

A celebrated politician, defender of the liberties of the individual, and rake. Heavily involved in the power play between George III and his son, the Prince Regent.   Lord Holland's uncle. Died in...

Person, Politics & Administration

4 memorials
Sheridan’s Stables

Sheridan’s Stables

Harrow Through Time by Don Walter dates this bucolic image to 1795.

Building, Animals

1 memorial