avatarCarolF

Summary

Knightrider Street in London, originally named Knyghtridestrete in the 1320s, was a route for knights traveling from the Tower of London to jousting fields at Smithfield, and is now a pilgrimage site for fans of the Knight Rider TV show, including David Hasselhoff.

Abstract

London's Knightrider Street, first mentioned in the 1320s as Knyghtridestrete, served as a shortcut for knights journeying from the Tower of London to Smithfield's jousting fields. The frequent use of the street by knights led to its name. Although jousting is no longer a common activity, Knightrider Street has gained popularity among fans of the Knight Rider TV series, with even David Hasselhoff, the show's star, visiting the location. The author humorously prefers to imagine the street as a path where nobles in armor rode through, knocking down serfs on their way to engage in horseback combat with pointy sticks.

Bullet points

  • Knightrider Street in London was first mentioned in the 1320s as Knyghtridestrete.
  • The street was a route for knights traveling from the Tower of London to jousting fields at Smithfield.
  • The frequent use of the street by knights led to its name.
  • Knightrider Street is now a popular destination for fans of the Knight Rider TV series.
  • David Hasselhoff, the star of Knight Rider, has visited Knightrider Street.
  • The author humorously imagines the street as a path where nobles in armor knocked down serfs while heading to jousting events.

One-Minute Facts: Knightrider Street

Not an article about David Hasselhoff, though he does pop in

Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons image.

London has many interesting street names, some of which date back to the wow-that-was-a-long-time-agos. Older names often tell you what streets were used for.

My current favourite is Knightrider Street. This street was first mentioned in the 1320s when it was called Knyghtridestrete.

It was a cut-through for knights as they rode from the Tower of London to jousting fields at Smithfield. They used the street so often, they gave it its name.

Our knights don’t do that jousty stuff now. But, Knightrider Street has become a pilgrimage for fans of the Knight Rider TV show. Even The Hoff has visited.

No disrespect to The Hoff, but I prefer to think of Knightrider Street as a path along which big nobs in armour mowed down serfs on their way to gallop about on horses poking each other with pointy sticks.

One Minute Facts
London
History
David Hasselhoff
Knight Rider
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