PALL MALL
Pall Mall is named after Palla a Maglio (ball to mallet) a croquet-like game which was played there in the 17 th century. It is in the swanky area of St James’s between Piccadilly and the Mall. The US adopted the word mall (if not the pronunciation) for pedestrianised shopping areas. 100, Pall Mall [3] 79, Pall Mall [4] Schomberg House, 80-82, Pall Mall [5] Schomburg House has two blue plaques. Artist Thomas Gainsborough’s is currently obscured by scaffolding. The one for Ottobar Cugoano is of interest as the majority of blue plaques represent white men. Only 4% are black people and efforts to improve balance, as has happened with women, is being considered by English Heritage. Abolitionist Cugoano, born in the Gold Coast (now Ghana), was sold into slavery at the age of 13. He worked on a plantation in the Lesser Antilles until 1772 when he was bought by a British merchant, taken to London and given a good education. ...