London is a port city, and Britain became great because of its navy and ability to trade across the globe. The capital’s wealth is built upon that sea trade. There are reminders of London's maritime history everywhere. In Trafalgar Square, we commemorate the 1805 victory (and the death) of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. At Tower Hill, we remember the 36,000 merchant mariners lost at sea with no known grave. And the Museum of London Docklands examines the triangular trade in goods, sugar and slaves, upon which so much of the city’s wealth was built.

Did you know that, across the UK, only 2.7% of statues are of women who are not either royal or mythical? By my count there are now twenty eight statues of named non-royal women in London. Queens such as Victoria, Elizabeth and Anne have prominent statues and many mythological figures are also represented in female form.