Tuesday Trivia: 186 Fleet Street

The story of the demonic barber of Fleet Street, Sweeney Todd, has been around since 1846, when it was a part of a penny dreadful titled The String of Pearls, though a number of urban legends served as the prototype for the character (including one briefly mentioned in Martin Chuzzlewit). Historically, Todd’s barber shop was said to be connected Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop, No. 186 Fleet Street, and the shop’s sign in the 2007 Oscar-winning movie Sweeney Todd shows that very number.

Today, 186 Fleet Street is the home of Dundee Courier’s print shop, and St. Dunstan’s Church stands next door.

~ by Lady Ashley on July 28, 2009.