In our early travels in London we began by venturing into the world of the British Establishments. At this moment I had also just begun the story of A Tale of Two Cities where Charles Dickens starts this novel with the line:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

— Charles Dickens

I know this quote is particularly popular, but throughout the experience this quote felt as if it was engraved into the stone of the walls around us.

Even before walking into the Westminster Abbey, I was in awe of its intricate and beautiful architecture. I’m sure that I can say that I have never seen any other church like it. Once inside I remember looking up at the ceiling and felt that everything around me was so grand. I was surrounded by incredible statues, gold plated and gilded pieces from the arches to candlesticks, the sun piercing through the stained glass windows on all sides, and the sheer detail of every piece that filled the space. Before this visit, I was unaware of what this church held, leaving me very interested in all the different faces and names that are remembered here. Memorials of the royal family are abundant and interestingly other familiar names to me like Issac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Shakespeare were also present right under their large statues. The names throughout the church allowed me to take a glimpse into the past to understand who, and more so what kind of individuals were honored in this era. As we can see, it is members of the British Establishment and aristocracy that influenced life in this period. A Tale of Two Cities describes this higher class as arrogant and unwilling to reform away from the vast inequality compared to the lower class people. Along with the quote mentioned above, we can see through this lens the disparity such as while there was beauty and lavishness within these buildings such as the Westminster Abbey, outside these walls were lives only knowing of famine, pain, and hardship. Another thing that stood out to me was the very apparent connection between the state and the church that Westminster Abbey shows. Exploring its grounds I discovered that coronations, funerals and weddings of the English royal family occurred here. This structure is difficult as it can lead to increased inequality and corruption in both systems. In the present we see it exclude individuals of different religious backgrounds, leading to unequal rights in law and discrimination in society. This can not only be seen and applied to England but to various countries and governments throughout the world.

Continuing on our book packing journey, we stopped at the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey. This court house that deals with criminal matters is the building Charles Dickens references in A Tale of Two Cities where Charles Darnay is tried for treason. It was an amazing experience to be able to transport into the setting of what was once just an imagination, which was not close to the true magnificence of it. Immediately, one could see that the Old Bailey is of a different architectural style than the Westminster Abbey straying away from the iconic point to a more stonework route and a dome above. Even early on our travels it is evident how London is filled with a vast array of architecture, allowing you to truly see its deep, long history! Why do I bring up the Old Bailey?There were two aspects of the Old Bailey that caught my attention. The phrase, “Defend the Children of the Poor & Punish the Wrongdoer” that is engraved in its walls and the other at the highest point of the dome is Lady Justice gleaming in gold holding a sword and a scale. In our book packing novels I recall reading countless scenes of the law going against Lady Justice and the words this building presents on itself, instead siding with the monarchy and aristocracy, against the people. Again thinking about the quote at the beginning , the law gave to those with so much and took from those with nothing.

Taking these two experiences and ideas, I believe as though the British Establishment and Law are connected by that they continue to keep the pillar of what is “the feudal illusion” in society. This phrase describes the idea that individuals believe that to live and be in a hierarchy is natural and part of what has always been, making it right. Therefore, not aiming to make a change for the better. I’ve been referencing examples of the past, however the feudal illusion is still present today. To describe its current relevance, I find that the artist Banksy’s newest public work captures this idea. Walking past this statue in the heart of the historic British Establishment was powerful. I believe this is saying to the world, that following the traditions, laws, and ways of the past through blind patriotism without question leads to the fall of yourself and society. To get to a present of equality for all, regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, and other factors we must take off the mask to reveal the truth about the past and the present in order to understand to forge a better future.