Walking the visionary London of Emanuel Swedenborg (4K)

A walk with writer Iain Sinclair and Stephen McNeilly of the Swedenborg Society following the footsteps of 18th Century Swedish scientist, philosopher and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg. Our walk starts in Warner Street Clerkenwell where Swedenborg had his most famous vision in a Chop House. We then walk on along the course of the River Fleet to Bakers Yard / Cold Bath Square where Swedenborg died in 1772. From here we walk along Saffron Hill and Hatton Garden to Fetter Lane, the site of the Moravian Chapel that Swedenborg attended. Our Swedenborg walk takes us along Fleet Street and up Ludgate Hill to Paternoster Square linking together a series of locations associated with Swedenborg's publishing and writing career.
We then head out to East London, passing along Leman Street, Cable Street, past Wiltons Music Hall to Swedenborg Gardens where Swedenborg was buried in the Swedish Church.
Images courtesy of The Swedenborg Society.
Related videos:
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Walking the River Fleet • Walking the River Flee...
Secrets of the City with Iain Sinclair • Secrets of the City wi...
Fleet Street walk • London's Street of Sto...
Music:
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The Burdens We Carry - Gavin Luke
Of Virtue - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
Pachabelly - Huma-Huma
from Epidemic Sound and the KZbin Audio Library
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[@JonnyShire]

Fantastic! For some reason KZbin hasn't been reccomending your videos to me for a while so I've got a huge backlog to get through. In all honesty I'm already relishing the next few days, so I can catch up! Thanks for the dedication to this John, you're porobably doing one of the most impactful psychogeographical records in the UK. A herculean undertaking in deep-topography, mythogeography and pinning space to memory and folk history. We will always be in your debt! x

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Always be sure to hit the like button. It's the main thing KZbin understands. When my interests change radically, I have been known to go back and remove the little "thumb's up."

[@TracyPicabia]

Subscribe

[@thewalkingman777]

Just subscribe and turn notifications on

[@markriley4665]

This is fabulous John. I was at the Swedenborg Society recently for the exhibition on ‘place’ and I live close to Wellclose Square (associated with Swedenborg)) so this video is literally right up my street. Thank you!

[@CthulhuInc]

that was terrific, john - one of those videos that you don't want to end! thanks for taking us along!

[@JacqTracks]

Fantastic film. Thank you so much for this video!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much JA

[@biddylisduff]

Thanks John, that was really dreamlike for me. The crisp air and sunlight worked so well, the lovely music and storytelling pulled me into another time zone /portal? I knew nothing of Swedenborg I must admit, but hearing the connections with others that interest me like William Blake, John Clare, Samuel Pepys right up to Kathy Acker, was great. I managed to block out the shiny new architecture and focus on the wonderful old sash windows, Church spires and other remnants of the past. Imagining the muddy banks of the Fleet and having the bells of St. Paul's captured! Not really connected, but I was watching a TV programme about Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope earlier this week, so I now have lots to delve into with all these references. A great collaborative film, thank you so much!

[@stigroo9058]

Thanks so much for this. Really enjoyed the recent exhibition at Swedenborg and the evening of films and readings during my visit across pond

[@davidzauhar6813]

Terrific walk! I live a short drive from a Swedenborgian college (Bryn Athyn College, just outside Philadelphia), and I used to live in the town where one of America's most prominent Swedenborgian's (John Chapman, AKA Johnny Appleseed) was introduced to the teachings of Swedenborg. I also live near a town named, in part, after John Wilkes, whose statue makes an appearance. Talk about veins of information and energy.

[@alexrose9487]

john, this is one of your best ever, thank you so much, incredible knowledge and shot beautifully, alex

[@leecaston]

John you must have been absolutely buzzing with joy for days after this one, it deserves an award . it was a masterpiece. Thank you.

[@ashleysgaze]

A great, great walk, John! Many thanks for braving the cold to record Sinclair and McNeilly explore Swedenborg's London! Bravura stuff! ❤🚶‍♂🚶‍♂🚶‍♂

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ashley

[@indivisibleremainder]

That was magical! Off sick from work and just watched it on my couch on the very same energy line - on the other side of St George’s in the East (Solander Gardens- named after another great Swede buried in the same Church). And I already feel better- your video has healing power. Thank you.

[@heidismit5261]

John. THANK YOU. I will watch this film tonight. This is exactly why I miss London so very much. Thank you.

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

Just gorgeous John, thank you so much for this. Mud, gold, alchemy, spirituality and murder. Gosh, what a masterpiece. I can see how much work you will have put into making this, 3 audio tracks and multiple sites. Nice edit in the piece by the Argyle. I love learning about the history of the hidden alleys and courtyards, and what wonderful stories throughout. Thank you 🙏

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very Steve - it was a massive pleasure making this video

[@whipcha]

Absolutely brilliant video-so much within to appreciate! Thanks John, Stephen and Iain.

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

To say you have outdone yourself, in choosing your guests, laying your route, curating the connection between liberal religion and literature -- so much! So glad to be a Radical Rambler. Enjoy this month's little coffee: you have earned it many times over. (Elizabeth from Vermont)

[@michaelmiller641]

What a fantastic video John, a lot of food for thought there. I had to photograph temple bar when it was in the undergrowth at Theobald's park for the architects I was working for! Anyway, thankyou so much for that video

[@philburdett]

Absolutely fantastic. I could listen to Iain forever. Great stuff sir!

[@orchilhenry6971]

That was just incredible! A classic! Thank you so much, gentlemen . I will be watching this over and over and sharing it on Social media .

[@Off-The-Rails]

Always a pleasure to watch your interesting walks around London John

[@jonathanmadden5112]

Another classic walk John, thanks so much. I am constantly drawn back to the area around Wellclose Square as I have many old family connections there going back to the 1840s. Iain's ideas and thoughts about Swedenborg's death really fascinating, although I'm learning that William Blake didn't always concur with the man his mystical theories. I feel there's much more material here for further walks and musings. Thanks again for a really thought provoking film.

[@jonasranson7677]

Astonishing walk… quite remarkable. Have been involved with Swedenborg House in the past and have several of Swedenborg’s publications. Thrilling to know more of the history and mythology of such a fascinating writer and thinker.

[@marty9011]

Fascinating video. I feel London is part of my life, though living on the other side of the world, because it forms the background of so much of my reading. I enjoy seeing all sorts of odd corners of this wonderful city.

[@paulm3033]

It's almost on my doorstep but I feel exactly the same and try to get there as often as I can .

[@Chingfordassociates]

For many years I wondered about that Swedenborg reading room in Bloomsbury which I used to pass on a bus back to East London so I guess this is the perfect video. Thanks, John.

[@martaorduna7857]

Absolutelly super interesting.Learning ,learning ,learning with your vids.Thank you!!!

[@michaelessig6376]

John, you are such a great storyteller and film maker. Your ability to get things going and then maintain an environment to allow your subjects to continue this genuine amiable conversation takes true talent. It reminds me of digging in the sand at the edge of the surf. It's as if you have dug a slight channel with your hand and you have coaxed an overwhelming force of water to kiss the channel, and order itself into the boundaries of a new gentle topography. Very excellent work.

[@sianiswack633]

There are beautiful recreations of moments here as Iain Sinclair recounts them, outside St Bride's Hall, in St Bride's and at The King Lud. Thanks 😊 John for bringing all of that into being.

[@terryblack2219]

So interesting, heavy,very very heavy but so interesting . Thank you so much John.. I will research this a little for myself …

[@CthulhuInc]

i'm re-watching this already - as always, there's so much to take in during these walks -especially with the commentary from these gentlemen

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Glad you’re getting a lot out of it Cthulhulnc

[@AliBees]

Ah great, I’ve got the day off work. It’s raining and I’m in for day of relaxing so this is just what the doctor ordered! Thank you John

[@Ben_Mdws]

Great work there John - you captured some fascinating conversations between Iain and Stephen.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ben

[@gfreebody11]

Everyday is a school day with your videos John. Fantastic content. Has lead me down various rabbit holes including Aleister Crowley's Den on Chancery Lane, the legacy of Swedenborg and Swedenborg House but also the Moravian Church where a quick google shows me various images of the Lamb holding St.George's Flag - ironically this is on the club crest of Hendon Football Club whose shirt I am wearing when watching this video!

[@mitchelluk1445]

marvellous video Mr rogers, really good work i could listen to ian talk for days on end seriously the man is extraordinary, highly remarkable

[@pauldickinson1434]

Fascinating and interesting walk John, as usual...As others have said I also knew nothing of Swedenborg or his part in London's history. I particularly liked the analogy of creating layers which I have never considered before , almost like an archaeological journey through time and space which you portray so well in all your videos.

[@lydialen6881]

Fabulous video, John. I enjoyed it so much! I must admit I knew nothing about Swedenborg, although I had heard of him. It's inspired me to do some research now. Thanks to all three of you .

[@OkieJammer2736]

OMGoodGawd, WHAT a walk and talk today! ❤

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A tour de force! Very informative and mystical. Thank you!

[@spiritov69]

Swedenborg, according to me, was writing what he was told by the Lord. It is so deep, beautiful and it all synchronizes. My life has changed since I started reading the Bible together with Swedenborgs scriptures, at around 30 years of age.

[@thegrimreader8526]

I really enjoyed this. Thank you! I've made notes on some reading I'll have to do, and I hope to nip into The One Tun for some Thai food (?) one day. It won't be today, as I live in Arizona.

[@barrytcook1]

wonderful video John ... many thanks ...gonna visit Swedenborg house when next in londoon in a couple of weeks time ....

[@caroledrury1411]

It is truly fascinating to hear such a conversation that I will now , when I feel the spirits , will call the Swedenborg moment. The closest thing I have come across to a semblance of the old streets is a series called British movies from 1940 to 1950where amazingly enough, they often mention the streets that you guys are visiting. Hence the expression old haunts. With this kind of amazing talk, it is so good for us Americans who are devoid of such a relationship. You now validate our search for our own ghosts when they appear

[@springtime8029]

Thankyou for your interesting walks and information the music is very peaceful.thanlyou so much for all your interesting walks❤️X

[@keithprater310]

Wonderful story, Iain said with every film you make we do get richer and richer in knowledge etc.thank you.

[@benedictmarshall7031]

Another fascinating walk. Thank you so much.

[@blossie33]

I knew nothing about Swedenborg until earlier this year when I went to see an exhibition at Swedenborg House so this has been very interesting - thanks! Clerkenwell is a great area to walk around.

[@Beachcomber95]

Thank you for this ! Great to see Iain again. It’s going to take several watches to take in even a small percentage of everything in this video.

[@suewhite6612]

Absolutely loved this John. This is what I watch you for, sparked so many ideas, so many threads I want to follow. Only thing is, if the spirits ever manifest to me I hope it's not just diet advice 😁

[@tracyfryer8153]

That was a very energetic preamble with some interesting sights and memories thank you ❤

[@briancox4339]

Great video John Rogers as always much appreciated thanks for sharing

[@paularnold4440]

Absolutely brilliant. Really enjoyed that one. Iain Sinclair is a legend. Thank you

[@JohnRogersWalks]

glad you enjoyed it Paul

[@Upe-f9c]

Wow! This is probably the best walk I´ve ever seen. It should be broadcasted by the BBC and SVT (Swedish National Television). It´s intriguing how these parallell worlds exsist, combining history with the present, every day "realism" with visions and beliefs. You captured it perfectly! Greetings! /Ulf

[@barrytcook1]

as i live in enfield ... our regular sunday run used to take us past the temple bar ... and it was located in the tesco country club ...it was in a terribly delapidated state then ...

[@mamnisel4815]

A wonderful walk filled with London's rich history through my favourite part of the City,Clerkenwell and ending in Aldgate.So interesting listening to all the stories and anekdotes and all I can say is your walks go from strength to strength!!!

[@dexterfitben]

Really have been enjoying that....but. I did live this many years before this when we squatted on Lloyd Baker St EC1 an the whole area was squats... early 80s. There is magic for sure...love it!

[@2Sugarbears]

Ian is so knowledgeable. Thanks for this John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

he's a fountain of knowledge Diana

[@milobell5525]

This was indeed a beauty. Fascinating. If we can keep our heads when all around Mr Swedenborg keeps losing his then we will be a man my son. That whole area keeps giving doesn't it?

[@Tom_J23]

Great video as always!! Thank You John!

[@china100]

Also great to hear Micheal Moorcock mentioned, I often think he has been a bit forgotten. I often think of Dancers at the end of time (not that I have read it in a long time, so it may have no relevance) when I read about transhumanism and AI.

[@Tony-gv6ty]

Fascinating show gentlemen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.💐🌹

[@t00bed]

WoW ! Thank you for making this.

[@TomGadstone]

Really fantastic John, one of the best things I've seen on KZbin. More of the same please. Really enjoyed the conversation and learnt a lot as well.

[@diogenesagogo]

Walk around any great city & you're walking inside other people's heads, inside their imaginations. I think I first realised this in Cambridge, but London is the greatest because of the huge diversity of minds that are involved - & the interacting, ever changing play between the inhabitants & the architecture.

[@joedellamura9015]

That was really interesting and enjoyable, thanks for sharing it with us John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Joe glad you enjoyed it

[@ColleenJousma]

I wanted to let you know, John, that I really like your channel. As an atheist I don't believe the psychogeology in the sense of the super natural (which from the 9 seasons I've watched plus a hand full of other videos you've never said it was for sure super natural and I appreciate that). The idea of a secular non woo woo psychogeology makes sorta sense to me as the awe of life and connection between people can connect us to the past, present, and future in a way that isn't some super natural thing but also can't be described by science. Thanks for the calm videos that are chock full of history.

[@ColleenJousma]

I remember being in New York City and seeing the Stonewall Inn and as a cis het woman, I still felt a sense of awe being there. I may be completely misunderstanding psycyhogeology, but from the little bit I've read that wasn't spiritual it made me think of Stonewall.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Colleen - the Situationist origins of psychogeography have a ‘playful’ revolutionary intent relatively free of any metaphysical element and grounded in how the built environment has constrained the human spirit and behaviour

[@williamrobinson7435]

Special thanks to Iain, Stephen and yourself as well as all members of The Swedenborg Society for this. Certainly one to revisit, this excellent film is practically a work of reference in itself! Certainly worth the wait. Nice one John! 🌟🌟🌟👍

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Another great one John, love hearing Ian though don't understand half of it😅thanks to himself & Steven for some interesting insights. 😊

[@Ange1166]

great walk enjoyed very much well done john

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Angelo

[@mattwilmshurst8456]

Another fantastic video. Thanks so much !

[@bonadesign]

Thank you Mr Rogers. That is a great experience, like a visual Radio 4 production.

[@umskiddy5234]

I think I've just watched the greatest ever KZbin video. John Rogers... THANK YOU! ❤

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thank you so much - a lot of work went into this video so that's much appreciated

[@maureenstott5142]

This was fascinating. loved it.Thank you very much.

[@bnpandsc]

That was brilliant John ! More of these please..

[@bnpandsc]

John, your site seems to have a Scammer infection...

[@TimG1]

A physical/metaphysical wandering. Beyond me. Fascinating, John!

[@colinsaunderson6682]

Love the passion in ur vids

[@whobrewing]

Amazing. I like walking through NYC and take in the sounds and sights but not the history. You guys walk around London and each street has a story that you can tell.

[@neil9890]

Many thanks John, this is superb!

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

Oh. My. Goodness. I've just dived into this and I KNOW it's going to be epic! I'll report back at the end 😂

[@robertgarvey5652]

Thanks John. Fascinating video. I remember first hearing the expression "psychogeography" in one of your earlier videos. I think this video nails down what that means. That connection between person and place.

[@rolandayers6726]

A relic from Swedenborg Gardens featured in the last ever special exhibition at The Museum of London before it closed: a pirate radio station aerial, confiscated from atop Shearsmith House and twisted out of shape by the DTI.

[@gaffersteve]

Watching quite a few of your films which I always find fascinating, im always out walking and photographing in and around the City etc too ,only just came across this one. My gt grandfather came To the UK from Poland in 1903 with his parents and siblings, Jewish immigrants that like many settled first in the East end. The earliest records i have of them they were living in Princes Square, renamed Swedenborg Square before Knocked down as it is today as Swedenborg gardens. And my gt gt grandfather was housed at some point in a lodging house just off Wellclose sq. Fascinated by the area and i often pop down there and stand in the spaces where i think the houses they lived in were located and try to visualise the square as it was and the church.When Ian in this video says about Swedenborg dying above where they are standing is the same kind of sentiment i feel. Its almost tangible but yet so distant to try to put yourself in that former space of theirs,especially when the buildings have gone and there are no or very few visual clues to what was there in the past. In Swedenborg gdns There is a small cobbled section that runs at the back of the petrol station which going on old maps im pretty sure is all that remains of an alley called Britten court that ran into the square from the Highway. I love to imagine that my ancestors would of walked up and down on those very cobbles and quite possibly on their first day in the UK , as they disembarked off a steamer at St Katherines dock /irongate wharf

[@leeradford76]

John glad you did the Thames River walk are you interested in rivers I am too you certainly got me out searching for more places to go more unknown to me

[@RedStickHistorian]

A very interesting video about a very interesting man. Thanks for sharing.

[@zennor_man]

This resonates strongly with me. My paternal grandmother was born in Clerkenwell & when George Jeffery the bookseller was mentioned !!!! for that is my surname…

[@JohnRogersWalks]

wow, lovely bit of serendipity Patrick

[@andyrobinson450]

absolutely fascinating story telling :) thanks

[@deborahbradbury4432]

I live outside Philadelphia. 3 miles away is the tien of Bryn Athyn, PA, home of Academy of the New Church & the Cathedral & college dedicated to Swedenborgen. The entire town belong to this sect. The family that run the town are the PITCAIRN'S of Scottish ancestry. Imagine mynsurprise when i passed the Swedenborgian reqding room in Bloomsbury! Thx.

[@colinjackson9482]

Was Arrested on saffron Hill, when I was about 13 some friends and I were climbing scaffolding and the police came and took us to Holborn police station. It wasn’t till years later but I found out about the connection with Fagin , when ever I walk down there now it makes me smile. I think that 130 odd years. Earlier, I could’ve been one of Fagin,s lads

[@avrilconacher]

An excellent video John fascinating.

[@john80c]

Fascinating that ordinary looking streets have such psychological meaning beneath the surface. Where I live, Hedgesville has a population of 350 but a rich history including Native American attacks, Civil War battles, George Washington used to work in the area, Edgar Allen Poe wrote some of his stuff here etc. We should look beyond the mere bricks and mortar.

[@williammorrison5678]

Worth waiting for, just like Sunday.

[@davidgreenwood5602]

Amazing I walked the streets as a young man around hereho else's,and near destitution.I had very much the same feeling.At St.Jon's fate I had my first near mystical experience!

[@leeradford76]

I watched everyone of your great walks

[@heidismit5261]

John. This was epic. I am stil reeling from all this magick and information. Chancery lane is a spooky and grimm place. I felt that too.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

So glad you enjoyed it Heidi

[@johnmorgan5495]

Brilliant video John , Thanks to all three, or is it Four with Swedenborg too !

[@hArtyTruffle]

The fact that Occupy couldn’t access Paternoster Square was an unintended blessing for the protests. The square was the original intended “camp” site, but camping outside St Paul’s Cathedral actually worked in the protestors favour. Love it when you gather the mystics John 😎

[@merleefry7831]

Fascinating. At about 19 minutes, as Ian talks, squeaking noises begin. That added emphasis to the idea of a portal; It reminded me of soundtrack from "Psycho" movie.

[@D-777i]

It's his pocket pet mouse, he often takes it out and about on his walks.

[@crieff1sand2s]

Lovely jubbly....John.....👍

[@morriganwitch]

Thank you xxx please say hi to Iain I met him at Faversham Literary Festival xxx

[@insuretec]

Magical! Thanks chaps.

[@caroltrinder1866]

Truly fascinating - thank you.

[@lewiswalker7803]

Fantastic post this!! 👏🏽

[@barneykennett9282]

Magnificent... 👍.