An ancient monument has been returned to its home on Cannon Street. This is bad news for Brexiteers. A curse may have been lifted.
In May 2016, London Stone was taken away from its niche opposite Cannon Street station, to allow a site redevelopment.
Just a few weeks later, the UK voted to withdraw from the European Union, prompting doomsday headlines about the effects on the Square Mile.
The two events might seem unconnected, but there's an old legend we flagged up some time ago. If London Stone is ever destroyed or removed from its ancient resting place, then the City of London shall fall.
Many Remainers predict dire effects on the Square Mile if we withdraw from the EU, seemingly in accordance with the legend.
Fortunately, the stone is now back in place. The lithic relic has a mysterious past. It's stood on Cannon Street since at least medieval times. It may have been an old Roman milestone or, more romantically, the stone from which Arthur drew Excalibur. Nobody knows. But its return from the Museum of London is surely something to cheer, whether or not you believe in superstitions.
The stone's new lodgings on Cannon Street is more prominent than the previous set-up. The stupid, obscuring ironmongery has gone, and the artefact is now on show behind a plate-glass porthole. The interpretation board is no longer cursory, and includes a history in braille. Perhaps a few more commuters might now notice the treasure in their midst.
So, the City's talisman has returned from exile. Remainers rejoice, for the whole Brexit misadventure will now surely crumble.
Note: in case you're wondering, we don't really believe in ancient myths, especially when, like this one, they were invented by the Victorians. You have to admit, though, that the timing is propitious.
