Happenstance

When the Norman Governor, Robert d'Oilly, built a stone bridge over the Thames, to replace the Ox-ford, south of the settlement that was established there, it was called, pragmatically enough, 'the south bridge'. This was in the 11th century. An occupying power needed to guard against uprisings: somewhen before the 13th century, a defensive tower, portcullis, drawbridge and heavy gates were added on the south side

The tower was used by Roger Bacon (1219–1292), a brilliant tutor in the University, the greatest mind of his age, as an observatory for his studies in astronomy. He was one of the conduits for Islamic learning and ideas into western scholarship. His studies ranged across philosophy, astronomy, astrology, mathematics, agriculture, biology, optics, alchemy, geography, mechanics, linguistics, medicine, the scientific method, empiricism and religion. On top of all that he became a Franciscan friar. All this led to the tower becoming known as Friar Bacon's Study. At some point, the bridge then became Friar Bacon's Bridge

By the 17th century, the defensive value of the tower was over. Someone called Waltham, but also Welcome, added an additional storey to the tower. It became known as Welcome's Folly, and the bridge became Folly Bridge - the name by which it is still known

In the 18th century, the tower was demolished and soon afterwards the bridge, now too narrow, was rebuilt. Still though, it was Folly bridge, and the small island below it, with the Thames flowing either side, was Folly island

It was not until 1849 that this building was erected on the island by Joseph Caudwell. It is 'Caudwell's Castle'; finally, a genuine folly - though one that was used as a house. In 1851, Caudwell shot a drunken student who was trying to dump one of the 'canons' he had in front of the house into the river. He was charged and tried, but an eloquent lawyer got him aquitted. Nevertheless, an act of folly. Somehow it is appropriate that Atlas, perched on top of the tower, has lost his globe. Oops