Chelsea, London, England, British Isles

Survey London Volume 4 Chelsea Part II. The Site of Beaufort House [Map].

In the whole history of Chelsea, a history which is indeed famous, so many notable men and women has this little village known-the chief interest has centred about Beaufort House [Map]. From those early days in the 16th century, when it was the well-loved home of Sir Thomas More, until the 18th, when it was the seat of the Duke of Beaufort, it yielded to no other house in importance, not to King Henry VIII's manor house in Cheyne Walk, nor to the Earl of Shrewsbury's mansion, nor to the old manor house with which it shared the dignity of a proprietary chapel in the old Church. It did not carry with it the lordship of the manor, but its property was extensive, including practically the frontage of the Thames between Milman Street and Church Street, and its gardens stretched northwards as far as the King's Road [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 23rd November 1557. The xxiij day of November was cared from Blake-freres to Temes syd, and ther wher rede to grett barges covered with blake and armes hangyng for my lord Bray, and so by water to Chelsey, to be bereyd by ys father, with iiij haroldes of armes, and a standard and a baner of armes, and ij baners of emages borne by ij haroldes of armes in ther cott armurs, and so mony nobull men morners in blake, and xvj porre men had new gownes, and a xvj grett torchys, ij whytt branchys, and iiij grett tapurs, and a cott armur, elmett, target, sword, and mantylles, and a viij dosen of skochyons; and after messe, and ther wher mony prestes and clarkes, and the dener at ys plase at Blake-frers, and so they cam bake from Cheshey to dener.

Note. P. 158. Funeral of lord Bray. "John lord Bray dyed in the late Black fryers in London on thursday the xixth of November 1557 and was beryed at Chelsey in the middest of the high chauncell with his father and grand-father the 23. of November." MS. Harl. 874, f. 79.—The full narrative of his funeral, which is recorded in the College of Arms, I. 15, f. 279, has been printed by Lysons in his Environs of London, and by Faulkner in his History of Chelsea.

Around 1565 Elizabeth Fiennes died. She was buried at Chelsea Old Church.

On 25th December 1594 Gregory Fiennes 10th Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 55] died. He was buried at Chelsea Old Church. His sister Margaret [aged 53] succeeded 11th Baroness Dacre Gilsland, 11th Baroness Multon of Gilsland. Samson Lennard Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 50] by marriage Baron Dacre Gilsland.

On 25th February 1603 Katherine Carey Countess Nottingham [aged 53] died at Arundel House [Map]. She was buried in Chelsea Old Church on 25th April 1603.

On 30th June 1698 Charles Cheyne 1st Viscount Newhaven [aged 72] died. He was buried at Chelsea Old Church. His son William [aged 40] succeeded 2nd Viscount Newhaven.

Survey London Volume 4 Chelsea Part II. The house stood across the line of the present Beaufort Street and rather nearer King's Road [Map] than the river. Between it and the way along the waterside were two large courtyards, and opposite was a quay. The remainder of the estate, south of the present King's Road, was laid out in gardens and orchards, with the exception of the stable buildings, where now is the Moravian Burial Ground, and the farmhouse and barns on the site of Lindsey House. The situation, attractive as it is now, was far lovelier then, when across the Surrey bank was a view of undisturbed wood and pasture.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 12th September 1664. Anon took boat and by water to the Neat Houses over against Fox Hall to have seen Greatorex [aged 39] dive, which Jervas and his wife were gone to see, and there I found them (and did it the rather for a pretence for my having been so long at their house), but being disappointed of some necessaries to do it I staid not, but back to Jane, but she would not go out with me.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 5th August 1666. So home, and had a good dinner, and after dinner with my wife, and Mercer, and Jane by water, all the afternoon up as high as Morclaeke with great pleasure, and a fine day, reading over the second part of "The Siege of Rhodes", with great delight. We landed and walked at Barne-elmes, and then at the Neat Houses I landed and bought a millon, [melon] and we did also land and eat and drink at Wandsworth, Surrey, and so to the Old Swan [Map], and thence walked home. It being a mighty fine cool evening, and there being come, my wife and I spent an houre in the garden, talking of our living in the country, when I shall be turned out of the office, as I fear the Parliament may find faults enough with the office to remove us all, and I am joyed to think in how good a condition I am to retire thither, and have wherewith very well to subsist. Nan, at Sir W. Pen's [aged 45], lately married to one Markeham, a kinsman of Sir W. Pen's, a pretty wench she is.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 1st August 1667. At noon my wife and I dined at Sir W. Pen's [aged 46], only with Mrs. Turner [aged 44] and her husband [aged 54], on a damned venison pasty, that stunk like a devil. However, I did not know it till dinner was done. We had nothing but only this, and a leg of mutton, and a pullet or two. Mrs. Markham was here, with her great belly. I was very merry, and after dinner, upon a motion of the women, I was got to go to the play with them-the first I have seen since before the Dutch coming upon our coast, and so to the King's house, to see "The Custome of the Country". The house mighty empty-more than ever I saw it-and an ill play. After the play, we into the house, and spoke with Knipp, who went abroad with us by coach to the Neat Houses in the way to Chelsy; and there, in a box in a tree, we sat and sang, and talked and eat; my wife out of humour, as she always is, when this woman is by. So, after it was dark, we home. Set Knepp down at home, who told us the story how Nell is gone from the King's house, and is kept by my Lord Buckhurst [aged 24].

After 31st January 1547 Catherine Parr Queen Consort England [aged 34] resided at Old Manor.

In 1742 Ranelagh Gardens Chelsea were opened to the public as a more fashionable, and more expensive, competitor to Vauxhall Gardens. The Rotunda was 37m across. It was closed in 1803 and demonlished in 1805.

On 5th January 1712 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 70] died. His daughter Catherine Jones [aged 40] inherited Ranelagh House.

Around 1751. Canaletto [aged 53]. Royal Hospital Chelsea, Rotunda Ranelagh Gardens Chelsea and Ranelagh House.

John Evelyn's Diary. 27th January 1682. This evening, Sir Stephen Fox [aged 54] acquainted me again with his Majesty's [aged 51] resolution of proceeding in the erection of a Royal Hospital for emerited soldiers on that spot of ground which the Royal Society had sold to his Majesty for £1,300, and that he would settle £5,000 per annum on it, and build to the value of £20,000 for the relief and reception of four companies, namely, 400 men, to be as in a college, or monastery. I was therefore desired by Sir Stephen (who had not only the whole managing of this, but was, as I perceived, himself to be a grand benefactor, as well it became him who had gotten so vast an estate by the soldiers) to assist him, and consult what method to cast it in, as to the government. So, in his study we arranged the governor, chaplain, steward, housekeeper, chirurgeon, cook, butler, gardener, porter, and other officers, with their several salaries and entertainments. I would needs have a library, and mentioned several books, since some soldiers might possibly be studious, when they were at leisure to recollect. Thus we made the first calculations, and set down our thoughts to be considered and digested better, to show his Majesty and the Archbishop. He also engaged me to consider of what laws and orders were fit for the government, which was to be in every respect as strict as in any religious convent.

John Evelyn's Diary. 25th May 1682. I was desired by Sir Stephen Fox [aged 55] and Sir Christopher Wren [aged 58] to accompany them to Lambeth, Surrey [Map], with the plot and design of the college to be built at Chelsea, to have the Archbishop's approbation. It was a quadrangle of 200 feet square, after the dimensions of the larger quadrangle at Christ church, Oxford, for the accommodation of 440 persons, with Governor of and officers. This was agreed on.

John Evelyn's Diary. 4th August 1682. With Sir Stephen Fox [aged 55], to survey the foundations of the Royal Hospital begun at Chelsea.

Around 1751. Canaletto [aged 53]. Royal Hospital Chelsea, Rotunda Ranelagh Gardens Chelsea and Ranelagh House.

On 13th October 1791 Elizabeth Beckford Countess Effingham [aged 66] died at Royal Hospital Chelsea.

On 19th March 1825 William Owen [deceased] was buried St Luke's Church Chelsea in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends, including Thomas Lawrence [aged 55], Richard Westmacott [aged 49], Thomas Phillips [aged 54] and 'Thompson' [probably Thomas Clement Thompson [aged 45]].