2. CHELSEA.
(O.S. 6 in. London Sheets (a)N. and (b)O.)
The borough of Chelsea is conterminous with
the civil parish except that a detached portion of
the latter is now included in the borough of
Paddington. The principal monuments are the
church, the Royal Hospital and Lindsey House.
Ecclesiastical
a(1). Parish Church of All Saints (Plates 12
–20) stands on the E. side of Church Street at
its junction with the Embankment. The walls of
the chancel and N. chapel are of plastered rubble
and flint, but the rest of the building is of brick;
the dressings are of Portland and other stone and
of brick; the roofs are covered with slates and
tiles. The Chancel, the E. half of which is deflected
towards the N., is probably of the 13th century.
The North Chapel was added early in the 14th
century. About 1528, the South Chapel, perhaps
of 13th-century origin, was rebuilt. In 1669 and
the succeeding years the Nave, West Tower and the
arches between the nave and the chancel and
chapels were rebuilt. The church was restored at
several dates in the 19th and 20th centuries and
the North Vestry is modern.
Chelsea, The Parish Church of All Saints.
The early Renaissance details of the S. chapel
are interesting, and among the fittings several of
the monuments and the font are noteworthy.
Architectural Description—The Chancel (36½ ft.
by 18½ ft.), was lowered late in the 17th century.
The E. window is modern except for the splays,
which are probably the outer splays of a triplet of
13th-century lancets, altered in the 15th century;
the head was cut down when the roof was lowered.
In the N. wall is an opening into the N. chapel
which replaced a former arcade or arch in 1784;
the semi-octagonal E. respond is probably of the
14th century and has a re-cut moulded capital;
at the back of the respond is a squint with a square
head. In the S. wall is a two-centred arch of
two chamfered orders probably of the 13th century
and subsequently altered; the octagonal responds
have early Renaissance capitals (Plates 14, 15) of
free Composite type, with human and cherub-heads,
the date 1528, an achievement of the quartered
arms of Sir Thomas More, processional cross, font
or holy-water stoup, tapers, crossed candlesticks,
holy-water pail and sprinkler and book with clasps;
further E. is a restored 15th-century window of
two cinquefoiled lights in a square head with a
moulded label; below it is a square-headed doorway with a modern label. The late 17th-century
chancel-arch is round with a moulded archivolt and
a key-stone carved with a cherub-head; it springs
from square piers with moulded cornices.
The North Chapel (25 ft. by 14½ ft.) has a
14th-century E. window with a modern frame. In
the N. wall are three windows, the eastern now
blocked, but of early 14th-century date and of two
trefoiled ogee lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head with a moulded label and damaged
stops carved with figures; the middle window is
probably of the same date, but only the outer arch
of the head remains, with a moulded label, repaired
in cement, head-stops and a segmental-pointed
rear-arch; the western window is of late 14th-century date and of two cinquefoiled lights with
a quatrefoil in a two-centred head with a moulded
label and stops similar to those of the eastern
window; below it is a blocked 14th-century doorway with a segmental-pointed rear-arch; below
the middle window is an early 17th-century doorway
with a round head of brick. The W. arch is similar
to the chancel-arch but of elliptical form.
The South Chapel (22 ft. by 14 ft.) is probably
of early 16th-century date, but has been refaced
with 17th-century or later brickwork. The E.
window and the two windows in the S. wall have
early 16th-century splays and rear-arches, but have
been fitted with late 17th-century round-headed
windows. The W. arch is similar to the W. arch
of the N. chapel.
The Nave (37½ ft. by 53 ft.) is of late 17th-century date and occupies the site of the former
nave and aisles. In the E. wall, above the arches,
are two round windows. In the N. wall are three
windows, the eastern and western round-headed
and the middle one round; all have moulded
architraves and plain key and impost-blocks;
below the round window is a round-headed doorway, similarly treated, but with the lower part
blocked and the upper part glazed as a window;
E. of the doorway is a recess or blocked doorway
with a reset two-centred arch of stone, of uncertain
date. In the S. wall are windows and doorway
similar to those in the N. wall, except that the
doorway is flanked externally by brick pilasters
supporting a cornice. The W. wall has on either
side of the tower a round-headed window similar to
those in the N. wall but with the lower parts blocked.
The walls of the nave are finished externally with
a deep plaster cove under the eaves.
The West Tower (12 ft. by 13 ft.) is of late
17th-century date and of brick; it is of five stages
(Plate 16) divided by string-courses and is finished
with a plain parapet. The tower-arch is two-centred;
the lower part is closed by a modern screen, the
upper part opens on to the gallery. The W.
doorway has a round head and plain key and
impost-blocks. The second stage has a plain
square-headed window in the N., S. and W. walls.
The third stage, now a museum, has in the S. wall
a round blocked window with a moulded architrave;
in the W. wall is a window of two round-headed
lights in a round-headed outer order with plain
imposts and key-block. The fourth stage has in
the E., S. and W. walls a modern clock-face; in
the N. wall is a round window with a moulded
architrave. The bell-chamber has in each wall a
window of two pointed lights in a round-headed
outer order with plain pilasters, key and impost-blocks. N. and S. of the tower are later annexes
containing wooden staircases to the gallery; they
have plain doorways and windows with solid
frames.
The Roof of the chancel is probably of late
17th-century date, with arched principals below
the collar. The low-pitched roof of the S. chapel
is probably of early 16th-century date, with
moulded purlins; the richly moulded middle tie-beam is of early 14th-century date, reused, and
supports later uprights. The nave has a flat
ceiling with a deep cove against the walls; at
intervals, round the upper mouldings of the cove,
are cherub-heads.
Fittings—Bells: two, one on brackets in
ground-stage of tower, dated 1679. Books: In
nave—chained copies of Fox's Book of Martyrs,
1684 (two vols. only), and Homilies of 1683.
"Vinegar" Bible of 1717 and Prayer-book of
1723. Brasses and Indents. Brasses: In S.
chapel—on N. wall, of [Sir Arthur Gorges, 1625],
rectangular plate, with kneeling figures of man in
armour, and wife, six sons and five daughters,
second plate with achievement-of-arms. See also
Monument (15). Indents: In chancel—(1) of
priest and inscription-plate, 15th-century; (2) of
man in armour, and wife, scrolls, inscription-plate
and four shields, much worn, late 15th-century;
(3) partly hidden by altar-step. See also
Monument (2). Chest: In vestry—plain, with
six locks, 17th-century. Communion Table and
Rails. Table: with moulded top, six turned
and twisted legs and plain rails, late 17th-century.
Rails: with quadrant angles, turned and twisted
balusters, moulded rail and sill, late 17th-century.
Doors: In N. chapel—in N. doorway, of battens
with strap-hinges, late 17th-century. In gallery
—in doorway to N. annexe of tower, of two
moulded panels, late 17th-century. In W.
tower—in W. doorway, with round head, late
17th-century. Font: (Plate 15) of 1673, (see
entry in Register) white marble with baluster
stem, octagonal reeded bowl with moulded rim,
ogee-shaped oak cover with enriched mouldings
and ribs, same date as font. Funeral-helm: In
S. chapel—on E. wall, armet of c. 1530 with
added beaver and gorget piece and Dacre crest.
Glass: In N. chapel—in middle window in N.
wall, fragments of tabernacle work, borders and
diapering, incorporated in modern work, late
14th-century. In S. chapel—refixed in S.E.
window, figure of deacon (head modern), shafts
of canopy, foliated border and diapered background, early 14th-century, found in N.E. window
in N. chapel. Image: On S. pier of chancel
arch—oak figure of St. Luke, late 17th-century,
formerly on sounding-board of pulpit. Monuments
and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In chancel—on N.
wall, (1) of Thomas Hungerford, 1581, and Ursula
(Sands), his wife, wall-monument with two arched
bays divided and flanked by Corinthian columns,
kneeling figures of man and wife, two sons and one
daughter, three shields-of-arms; (2) to Edmond,
first Lord Bray, 1539, and John, Lord Bray, 1557,
his son, plain altar-tomb with moulded slab, sunk
for brass fillet; indents of figure, inscription-plate
and two shields; slab cut down and altered; two
lozenge-shaped panels in front with cusping and
bosses for fixing former brass shields, and one
at E. end, recess and inscription modern; (3) to
Adam Littleton, S.T.P., 1694, rector of Chelsea
and canon of Westminster, plain marble tablet
with broken pediment and flaming urn. On S.
wall, (4) to Elizabeth (Mayerne), wife of Pierre de
Caumont, Marquis de Cugnac, 1653, tablet with
side pilasters, and apron with cherub-head and
scroll, cornice missing; (5) to Sir Thomas More,
plain altar-tomb (erected 1532) recessed in wall
and supporting a canopy flanked by octagonal
shafts and having a four-centred head with
carved spandrels and a moulded cornice, surmounted by a cresting of Tudor flowers, three
shields-of-arms on cornice—(a) a cheveron engrailed
between three moor-cocks for More quartering
a cheveron between three unicorns' heads razed with
three roundels on the cheveron, the whole impaling
ermine a fesse checky, crest a moor's head; (b) the
quartered coat of (a) impaling a fesse between three
galloping colts for Colte (c) the impaled coat of (a);
two shields in spandrels—(d) More, (e) the impaled
coat of (b); soffit of canopy with double row of
cusped panels, monument restored in 1833 and
inscription renewed. Under arch between chancel
and N. Chapel—(6) to Richard Gervoise, 1563,
freestone monument in form of a triumphal arch
with panelled piers supporting carved pilasters and
semi-circular arch, with shields-of-arms in spandrels, entablature with fluted and carved frieze,
cartouche-of-arms and two crests, on inner faces
of piers an achievement-of-arms and an inscribed
panel, monument reset in the 18th century and
figure or altar-tomb perhaps missing. On N. pier
of chancel-arch—(7) to Baldwin Hamey, M.D.,
1676, black marble tablet with shield-of-arms;
(8) to Ralph Palmer, 1715, and Alice, his wife,
1708, black marble tablet with two shields-of-arms;
(7) and (8) both recently restored. In N. chapel
—on E. wall, (9) to Sir John Lawrence, Bart.,
1638, black and white marble tablet with enriched
border, Corinthian side columns, segmental pediment, achievement and two shields-of-arms. On
N. wall, (10) of Thomas Laurence [1593], wall-monument (Plate 60) generally similar to (1), with
kneeling figures of man and wife, three sons and
six daughters, achievement and three shields-of-arms; (11) of Sara (Laurence), wife of Richard
Colvile, 1631, alabaster and marble monument,
(Plate 60) consisting of round-headed recess
flanked by Doric columns and surmounted by
cornice and pediment with three shields-of-arms,
in recess three-quarter figure of woman in shroud;
apron below representing a broken coffin with
inscription and shield-of-arms. In S. chapel—
against E. wall, (12) of Sir Robert Stanley, K.B.,
1632, shaped marble sarcophagus supporting three
pedestals with urns and two standing female
figures, one holding a banner-of-arms and one a
coronet and a shield with a badge upon it; on
pedestals three busts, in relief, of man and his
two children, Fardinand and Henrite Maria; on
side faces, cartouches and shields-of-arms, another
cartouche on face of middle urn; (13) to Catherine
(Dudley), wife of Henry Hastings, Earl of
Huntington, 1620, plain marble tablet. On N.W.
pier of chapel—(14) to Arthur Gorges, 1668, and
Mary (Banning), his wife, black marble slabs
formerly part of altar-tomb in S. chapel, top slab
with achievement-of-arms, in pavement. Against
S. wall—(15) of Jane (Guyldeford), wife of John
Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, 1555, recess
(Plate 15) flanked by Purbeck marble enriched
shafts supporting a flat canopy with carved soffit
in the form of fan-tracery, cusped and panelled
ends, back divided into three bays by broken
buttresses and having alabaster inscribed tablet
and brass of lady kneeling, with heraldic mantle
and five daughters, gartered shield-of-arms, a
second shield-of-arms and two scrolls with names of
children, all of brass, indents of group of husband
and sons and a third shield, at base of monument
two cusped panels with blank shields, tomb and
front of canopy missing; (16) to Sir William
Milman, 1713, shaped marble tablet with scroll-work, cherubheads and achievement-of-arms. In
nave—on N. wall, (17) to James Buck, 1680, and
Elizabeth (Rogers), his wife, 1674, marble tablet
with side pilasters, segmental pediment and
cartouche-of-arms; (18) to Charles Cheyne,
Viscount Newhaven, 1698, Jane (Cavendish), his
first wife, 1669, and Catherine, their daughter,
marble monument (Plate 20) by Paolo Bernini
(1672), consisting of shaped sarcophagus with
reclining effigy of Jane Cheyne in oval recess
flanked by Corinthian columns on a panelled
plinth and supporting an entablature and segmental pediment with urns, etc., enclosure
(Plate 109) of iron railings in front; (19) to Richford
Guilford, 1680, and Abigail (Wood) and Elizabeth
(Friend), his wives, shaped marble tablet, erected
1709, with foliage scrolls, etc. Against S. wall—(20)
of Gregory, Lord Dacre, 1594, and Anne (Sackville),
his wife, 1595, (Plate 18) alabaster and coloured
marble altar-tomb with recumbent effigies (Plate 19)
of man in armour and wife, with an arched recess
at back enriched with strapwork, etc., and flanked
by Corinthian columns supporting an entablature
and attic with obelisks, two shields-of-arms and a
centre-piece with an achievement-of-arms; in front
of monument and to the W. small altar-tomb with
effigy of daughter; enclosure (Plate 109) of wrought-iron strikes with fleur-de-lis standards. In tower—
on N. wall, (21) to Thomas Hill, 1713, and Hester,
his wife, 1699, marble tablet (Plate 15) with
side pilasters, broken pediment and vase; (22)
to William Clarkson, 1712, and Theodosia, 1704,
Abrahall, 1708, and Gilbert, 1710, his children,
marble tablet with broken pediment. In churchyard—on S. wall of nave, (23) to Susannah (Clifford),
wife of Dr. Edward Chamberlayne, 1703, tablet
with shaped head and lozenge-of-arms; (24) to
Ann (Chamberlayne), wife of John Spragg, 1691,
tablet with pediment; (25) to Edward Chamberlayne, 1698, tablet over S. doorway; (26) to
Peregrine Clifford Chamberlayne, 1691, tablet
with pediment; (27) to Edward Chamberlayne,
1703, tablet with shaped head and two shields-of-arms; N.E. of N. chapel, (28) to Christopher
Cratford, 1702, table-tomb; against N. wall of
churchyard, (29) to Robert Woodcock, 1710,
tablet with scrolls and segmental pediment; (30)
to John Pennant, 1709, tablet with scrolls, entablature and shield-of-arms; stone slab to same,
below. Floor-slabs: In chancel—(1) to Dr.
Baldwin Hamey, 1676. In nave—(2) to Elizabeth,
daughter of Thomas Franklin, 1698; (3) to
Richard …, 1695. In N. chapel—(4) to Grisel,
widow of Sir John Laurence, 1675; (5) to Henry
Laurence, 1661; (6) to Frances, daughter of
Sir John Laurence, 1685. In nave—(7) to Sir
William Milman, 1713, with cartouche-of-arms; (8)
to Sarah, wife of Bryan Wade, 1710; (9) to infant
children of [John] Roberts, Lord Truro, late 17th-century. Niche: In N. chapel—in E. wall, with
moulded jambs and cinquefoiled head, (Plate 60)
late 14th-century. Piscina: In chancel—with
chamfered E. jamb and four-centred head, groove
for shelf, 15th-century, W. part cut away. Plate:
now at St. Luke's Parish Church, includes two
flagons of 1680 given in 1681; paten of 1624;
paten of 1676, dated 1675, and spoon of 1698,
given in 1797. Pulpit: (Plate 5) of oak, hexagonal
with raised panels and enriched mouldings,
festoons of foliage and fruit, trumpet stem, partly
restored, late 17th-century. Recess: In chancel—
in E. wall, with chamfered jambs, splayed cheeks
and two-centred head, probably 13th-century
window-head, reused. Seating: In N. chapel—
pews, one made up of early 17th-century panelling,
one incorporating plain 17th-century panelling and
one incorporating late 17th-century carved panels.
Staircase: In N. annexe of tower—with turned and
twisted balusters, moulded strings and rail and
square newels with ball-terminals, late 17th-century.
Sundial: On S. face of tower—with inscription and
date, "Ut vita finis ita 1692." Weather-vane:
of enriched wrought-iron, surmounted by a crown,
erected in 1704. Miscellanea: In chancel—small
cabinet of marquetry work, early 18th-century,
used as prayer-desk. In gallery—fluted pilasters
of oak supporting a wall-post oarved with cherub-head and wings, late 17th-century.
Condition—Good.
Secular
b(2). Royal Hospital, 1,200 yards E.N.E. of
All Saints Church, is partly of three and partly of
one storey, with attics and cellars; the walls are
of brick with dressings of Portland stone and rubbed
brick; the roofs are covered with slates. The
Hospital was founded by Charles II, the foundation-stone being laid in 1682 and the building completed
in 1690. The architect was Sir Christopher Wren.
The structure has been repaired on various
occasions, the roofs being renewed about 1758.
Part of the N. pavilion was destroyed in an air-raid
in 1918 and subsequently rebuilt.
The building is of great interest as an example of
collegiate architecture and also as a work of Sir
Christopher Wren. The fittings of the chapel are
also noteworthy.
The buildings consist of ranges of building on
three sides of a central courtyard open towards the
river on the S.E. To the N.E. and S.E. of this
block are two pavilions, four in all, connected with
the main ranges by low annexes. The N.W. Front
(Plate 23) has a central portico and projecting wings
at the angles; the portico has four attached Doric
columns of stone, with wooden entablature and
pediment rising above the general line of the eaves;
the ranges on either side, containing the hall and
chapel, have tall round-headed windows with sunk
panels above and below them. The projecting
wings have rusticated angles, three tiers of plain
square-headed windows and pedimented dormer-windows in the roof; the main wood cornice at
the eaves-level is continuous round the building.
The S.E. side of the hall and chapel block (Plate 22)
is generally similar to the N.W. side, but here the
portico projects on free columns and from it open
loggias extend along the front of the building;
these loggias have coupled Doric columns supporting
an entablature. Over the middle of this range
rises an octagonal cupola with pedimented windows
in the main faces and free Corinthian columns on
the other faces with projecting entablature
supporting balls, above this level is a low attic with
a domed lead-covered roof supporting a ball and
weather-vane. The side wings (Plate 24) of the
main courtyard are generally similar to the side
wings of the N.W. front which form their termination in that direction. Near the S.E. end of these
ranges are cross-corridors having doorways (Plate99)
at either end flanked by Doric columns supporting
a cornice and balustraded parapet or attic. The
four pavilions are of uniform design; they are of
one storey with attics, hipped roofs with modillioned
eaves-cornice and pedimented dormer-windows.
Each pavilion has a projecting bay in the middle
of each side, two storeys high and finished with
a pediment. The angles of each building are
rusticated and the doorways have architraves and
cornices. The original chimneys throughout the
building have plain panelled stacks finished with
cornices; most of them have been much restored
or rebuilt.
Interior—The Chapel (113 ft. by 38½ ft.) forms
the N.E. part of the main N.W. range. It is of
seven bays with a semi-circular apse (Plate 26);
the bays are divided by panelled pilasters with
enriched plaster capitals. The semi-circular
ceiling is arched over the side windows and is
divided into panels by enriched mouldings with
rosettes at the intersections of the cross-beams;
above each pilaster is a moulded cartouche and
the lowest range of panels on each side is filled
with moulded foliage. The apse has a half-dome
of plaster.
Fittings—All of late 17th-century date unless
otherwise stated. Book: Prayer-book of 1687
presented by James II. Chairs: two with turned
and twisted uprights, rails and back legs, carved
arms, back and front legs, late 17th or early
18th-century. Communion Rails: (Plate 1)
with quadrant angles, turned and twisted
balusters, double gates with pierced carving,
carved and moulded rail and panelled standards.
Doors: In S.E. doorway—of two folds with
bolection-moulded panels; other doors forming
part of panelling. Gallery: across S.W. end—
resting on eight fluted Corinthian columns and
two half columns, on panelled pedestals, projection in middle with quadrants at sides, panelled
soffits, panelled gallery-front with pilasters
continuing the vertical lines of the columns and
moulded and carved capping. Lectern: modern,
but incorporating some old woodwork. Organ-case:
of oak and of two stages, the lower with Corinthian
pilasters flanking the opening and supporting a
moulded and carved entablature, upper stage
enclosing pipes and rising in three towers on corbels
carved with acanthus or cherub-heads (Plate 68),
towers semi-circular on plan and finished with
pierced carving and cornices. Painting: In apse,
entirely covering the plaster semi-dome, large
painting of the Resurrection, by Sebastiano Ricci,
temp. Queen Anne. Panelling: On side walls and
rising to level of window-sills, divided into bays by
panelled pilasters with cherub-heads at top and
finished with a moulded and enriched cornice. At
S.W. end, moulded panelling above and below the
gallery, the former incorporating two doorways
with moulded architraves and panelled doors.
Plate: (Plate 27) includes four cups of 1688, four
patens of same period with royal arms and initials
I.R., large and two smaller flagons of 1688, all
with the same arms and initials, large paten of
1687, alms-dish of 1687 with arms and initials as on
flagons, pair of pricket candlesticks with crown and
initials I.R., all silver gilt, also a straining-spoon
of c. 1700. Pulpit: square, with panelled sides,
and resting on Doric columns with pedestals, much
repaired. Reredos: centre-piece with rectangular
inlaid panel having a star and the sacred initials,
and flanked by coupled and fluted Corinthian
columns supporting an enriched entablature and
a segmental pediment with cherub-heads in the
tympanum; flanking centre-piece, at sides of
apse enriched panelling (Plate 1) divided into bays
by coupled Corinthian pilasters supporting an
entablature, panelled attic and carved vases; at
head of each bay carved swags; incorporated in
panelling, two doorways with pediments. Seating:
At sides and S.W. end, box-pews or stalls with
moulded capping and in gallery three pews with
panelled backs.
The Great Hall (115 ft. by 38 ft.) has a flat
plaster ceiling coved at the sides (Plate 28). The
walls below the level of the window-sills are lined
with panelling finished with a moulded cornice;
at the N.E. end is a gallery resting on carved
brackets and having a panelled front and a carved
cartouche of the arms of Charles II. At the S.W.
end is a large square panel with a frame of oak
leaves and the wall above has a painting by
Andrew Verrio of Charles II on horseback with
various allegorical figures and the inscription
"Carolo Secundo Regi Optimo Hujus Hospitii
Fundatori Domino Suo Clementissimo Ricardus
Jones Comes de Ranelagh Hanc Tabulam posuit";
at sides, small wings painted with trophies-of-arms.
Between the chapel and the hall is an octagonal
vestibule rising to the full height of the building
and covered by a dome and lantern. At the angles
of the building are Doric pilasters supporting an
entablature; the metopes are enriched with
military emblems alternating with the crowned
initials I.R. The dome is octagonal and has
panelled bands at the angles and a large panel with
enriched mouldings in each side. Between the
dome and the lantern is a deep coved cornice.
Beneath the chapel and hall are basements roofed
with quadripartite brick vaults resting on square
piers with moulded imposts.
The two main ranges N.E. and S.W. of the courtyard are occupied by the cubicles of the pensioners;
they are formed of panelled wainscotting (Plate 30)
divided by plain pilasters and finished with an
entablature. The outer walls are also panelled and
the staircases (Plate 89) have symmetrically-turned
balusters and square standards or newels. The
doors and doorways (Plate 89) are mainly original,
the latter having moulded architraves and panelled
linings.
The Governor's House is at the end of the N.E.
wing. The state room or parlour (Plates 29, 9) has
panelled walls with a modillioned cornice below
a deep panelled frieze; the overmantel has carved
trophies-of-arms, etc., and the initials I.R. The
plaster ceiling has an enriched coved cornice and a
large oval panel surrounded by smaller panels
enriched with the royal Stuart arms, initials I.R.,
banners, military emblems, etc. Other rooms have
original panelling, doors, etc., and the staircase
has original turned balusters. The corresponding
portion of the S.W. wing forms the Lieut.-Governor's
House and contains some rooms with original
panelling, doors, etc.; the staircase is modern.
In the Lieut. Governor's house is a lead cistern
with the royal arms and the monogram of William
and Mary.
The four pavilions contain panelling, doors, etc.,
similar to those in the other parts of the building,
and original staircases with turned balusters and
square newels.
Some of the buildings have basements with plain
groined vaulting in brick.
In the middle of the main courtyard is a bronze
statue (Plate 227) of Charles II in Roman costume,
said to be by Grinling Gibbons. In various parts
of the grounds and building are lead cisterns, (a)
with figures, including Faith, Hope, and Charity,
dated 1700; (b) of triangular plan (Plate 91), with
figures, swags, etc., dated 1700; (c) with royal
arms, cypher, and date 1694; (d) with cypher,
wreath, and date 1695. In the N.E. and S.W.
courtyards are wrought iron lamp - standards
(Plate 109) of two stages, square below and round
above and in the form of a column.
The Pensioners' Library is a detached building
S.W. of the main front block. It is of one storey
with rusticated angles and a modillioned eaves-cornice, much restored. The windows have each
a solid frame, mullion and transom. Inside the
building the walls are panelled to the full height.
Placed axially to the N.W. of the main block are
the main entrance gates (Plate 30) with four stone
piers with moulded bases and caps finished with
trophies-of-arms. The two lodges are similar in
general character to the Pensioners' Library. S.E.
of the two S.E. pavilions are pairs of original gatepiers with moulded bases, caps and ball-terminals.
The terrace on the S.E. side of the main courtyard
has a stone balustrade with a pair of large piers
in the middle.
The Graveyard, N.E. of the main block, contains
the following—Monuments: (1) to Isaac Garnier,
1711, table-tomb with achievement-of-arms; (2)
to Daniel Garnier, 1699, flat slab; (3) to …
Lefort, 1694; (4) to James Ford, 1698, flat stone;
(5) to Theophilus Cesill, 1695, flat stone with
defaced shield-of-arms; (6) to Sir Thomas Ogle,
1702, table-tomb erected 1749; (7) to Simon
Box, 1692, the first buried in graveyard, low table-tomb; (8) to Katherine and Laughland, 1714,
children of Laughland Mackintosh, head-stone;
(9) to John Andrews, 1714, flat stone; (10) to
John Ramsey, 1696, flat stone; (11) to Cap.
Thomas Dawgs, 1701, and Ann, his third wife,
flat stone; (12) to William Poulton, 1705, and
John Poulton, 1709, flat stone; (13) to Charles,
1699, Margaret, 1705, and Mary, 1706, children of
Edward Sopps, also to Edward Sopps, 1714,
head-stone; (14) to William Lewis, 1706, headstone; also others with inscriptions defaced.
Condition—Good.
b(3). Chelsea Hospital Infirmary, formerly
Walpole House, on the S.E. side of Royal Hospital
Road, is of two storeys with a basement; the
walls are of brick and stone. A house was built
on the site soon after 1690, which was added to by
Sir Robert Walpole about 1722. In 1810 the present
Infirmary was built, from the designs of Sir John
Soane, who incorporated as much of the old house
as was possible. The 17th-century brickwork in
the basement is now all that can be assigned to the
original building, but there are small portions of
woodwork and joinery of c. 1700.
Condition—Good.
b(4). Gough House, now the Victoria Hospital
for Children, on the N.E. side of Tite Street, 70
yards S.E. of Royal Hospital Road, is of three
storeys with a basement. It was built, probably
in the year 1707, for John, Earl of Carbery, and
preserved practically intact till 1866, when it was
converted into a hospital. In 1898 it was enlarged
by the addition of another block, the original
cornice was removed and the old building raised by
another storey. The N.W. front has a projecting
wing at either end and most of the walling on all
fronts is original, but the inside of the building has
been much altered and none of its early 18th-century features remain.
Condition—Good, much altered.
a(5). The Physic Garden, between Royal
Hospital Road, the Embankment and Swan Walk,
formerly the Botanic Garden of the Apothecaries
Company. The land was leased to the Society of
Apothecaries in 1673. With the exception of a
small portion of old walling on the E. side all the
buildings are modern. A stone tablet in the wall
by the gate into Swan Lane is inscribed "Hortus
Botanicus Societatis Pharmaceuticae Lond. 1686."
In the garden is a lead cistern, panelled on two sides,
with the initials W.W. between two groups of
leaves and the date 1676 divided by a rose.
Monuments (6–16).
The following monuments, unless otherwise
described, are of late 17th or early 18th-century
date and of three storeys with basement and attics;
the walls are of brick and the roofs are covered
with slates or tiles.
Condition—Good, unless noted.
Cheyne Walk
a(6). House, Nos. 43 to 45, now tenements and
shops, and garden-wall formerly part of Shrewsbury
House, 160 yards E.N.E. of the parish church.
The W. wing of the building is of two, the E.
wing of three, storeys; both have attics; the walls
are of plastered brick and the roofs are tiled. The
W. wing is of mid 17th-century date, the E. portion,
which is recessed back from the roadway, of the
18th century, though probably incorporating older
work; the major part of Shrewsbury House was
demolished in 1813. The W. wing is gabled on
both the street front and at the back and has in the
latter two square-headed windows with original
wood frames transoms and mullions. Inside the
building Nos. 43 and 44 contain remains of an
18th-century staircase, some panelling and a
carved chimney-piece on the second floor. One
room in the W. wing has two walls lined with 17th-century strapwork-panelling in three heights, the
top and bottom panels being in the form of arches
and the middle elliptical; the two doorways each
have eared architraves and pulvinated frieze with
a square moulded panel in the middle.
The E. and W. boundary walls to the garden in
the rear of the buildings are of Tudor brickwork.
Condition—Of house, poor, brickwork sound,
but woodwork in bad state of repair.
a(7). Houses, Nos. 46 to 48, adjoining (6)
on the W. were formerly three houses, but the two
westernmost have been converted into one. They
were built about 1711, but have been much altered.
On the back of the buildings are three projecting
'powder closets,' two of which retain their original
wood cornices at the eaves and have old hipped
roofs. In the fanlight over the front door of No. 46 is
an original wrought-iron grille. Inside the building,
in the Hall, is an archway with carved Ionic capitals,
and three of the upper-floor rooms have 18th-century chimney-pieces, and some of the rooms are
lined with plain panelling and retain their original
wood cornices.
a(8). Cheyne Hospital, Nos. 62 and 63, two
houses immediately E. of the parish churchyard
are the only two houses remaining of a terrace of
five, first called Church Row and afterwards
Prospect Place. They were built c. 1687 by Sir
Thomas Lawrence, but have been much altered
both internally and externally at subsequent dates;
an early 19th-century balcony has been added to
the front of No. 63, and the ground-floor has been
entirely rebuilt. The front walls are covered with
plaster and have a plain parapet, probably an
addition; the dormers have been rebuilt.
a(9). Tablet of stone on house No. 77 at E. corner
of Danvers Street and Cheyne Walk, inscribed:
"This is Danvers Street begun in ye year 1696 by
Benjamin Staltwood."
a(10). Crosby Hall, at W. corner of Danvers
Street and Cheyne Walk, 100 yards W. of the parish
church. The original building of Crosby Place,
Bishopsgate, dating from 1466, was destroyed in
1908, but much of the stonework, with the oriel
and roof, were preserved and re-erected here
1909–10.
The Hall (69 ft. by 27 ft.) has a semi-octagonal
oriel projecting on the W. side; it has three tiers of
transomed cinquefoiled lights under four-centred
heads; the stone vaulted roof has a central boss
carved with the helm and crest of Sir John Crosby.
The remaining windows in the side walls are each
of two cinquefoiled lights under a four-centred
head with moulded jambs, shafted splays and
moulded rear-arches; though most of the stonework
is original the windows have all been restored.
N. of the oriel is a doorway with moulded jambs
and a four-centred arch, and in the E. wall a stone
fireplace with shafted jambs and a low four-centred
arch under a square head with foliated spandrels.
The 15th-century roof of eight bays is supported
by new constructional timbers, which are concealed
above it; it has moulded main timbers, enriched
with carved bosses of conventional leaves and is
in the form of a four-centred vault with the trusses
springing from carved stone corbels and each having
three octagonal pendants, one at the ridge and one
midway between ridge and wall-plate; the pendants
have traceried and embattled terminals, off which
spring four-way trusses with traceried spandrels,
forming four-centred arches below the principal
rafters and main purlins; the common rafters are
hollow-chamfered and there is a frieze of quatrefoiled
panels with an embattled cornice at the plate level;
in the spaces between the window-heads and the
frieze are traceried spandrels; in the middle of the
fifth bay from the N. is the original louvre-opening,
but the lantern and dormers are modern. A small
piece of walling to the N. of the oriel has two old
doorways with moulded jambs and two-centred
heads; they are connected by a narrow passage in
the thickness of the wall.
a(11). Lindsey House (Plate 31), 150 yds. W. of
(10), now Nos. 95 to 100, was apparently rebuilt in
1674 (the date over the porch of No. 100, which has
either been re-cut or possibly copied from the original
date-stone), by the third Earl of Lindsey upon the
site of an earlier building of 1639, portions of which
it probably incorporates. It was altered by Count
Zinzendorf in 1752 and again in 1775 when it was
divided into separate tenements, and minor alterations have been made in more recent years including
the renewal of window-frames and the addition
of the porch and covered way to No. 100. The
house is of three storeys with attics; the walls are
of plastered brick and the roofs are tiled. The
original internal arrangement has been completely
lost by the alterations of 1775. The two end bays
project in front and the central bay projects slightly
at both front and back; at either end was a lower
wing of less depth than the main building, but that
on the W. is now incorporated in the adjoining
buildings. The front to the street is symmetrical
and has rusticated quoins, a projecting plinth,
projecting bands at the floor levels and a wooden
eaves-cornice. The end wings originally had two
windows to each floor, the central block three, with
the principal entrance door in the middle on the
ground-floor, and the intermediate spaces three
windows in their width; the roofs were hipped and
had a row of dormers and the central projection
was crowned with a pediment. The middle windows
in the intermediate spaces were closed and round-headed recesses inserted in their place on the
first floor by Count Zinzendorf, who apparently
altered the roof to its present Mansard form and
built the existing segmental-headed dormers in
place of those which previously existed; a balustrade was fixed in front of the flatter part of the
roof. In the alterations of 1775 the pediment over
the central block was demolished, the balustrade
to the roof taken down and doors inserted in the
different buildings. Inside the building is a considerable amount of late 17th-century work refixed,
including two fireplaces with marble surrounds on
the first floors of No. 99 and 100. The kitchen to
No. 99 is lined with bolection-moulded panelling
of late 17th-century date, a back room on the first
floor is panelled and has a moulded dado and
cornice, the attics have plain panelling and portions
of Elizabethan panelling are refixed in various
places.
Cheyne Row. E. side
a(12). Terrace (Plate 31) of ten houses, Nos. 16 to
34, 70 yards N. of Cheyne Walk, was built in 1708;
several of the houses have modern additions at the
back. No. 28 has been entirely rebuilt, Nos. 20
and 22 have stone dressings and the roofs of all,
with the exception of the two southernmost and that
to the house at the N. end, have been raised;
Nos. 16, 18, 26 and 34 retain original modillioned
cornices at the eaves. There are projecting bands
at the first and second-floor levels and the
windows retain their original sashes. Where the
fronts have been unaltered, in line with and
between the windows of the respective houses are
narrow square-headed recesses. A tablet in the S.
wall of No. 16 is inscribed: "This is Cheyne
Row 1708"; No. 32 has an original doorway with
a shell-hood carried on carved brackets, and there
are carved brackets over the doorways to No. 18
and 30. The larger part of the iron railing in front
of the houses is contemporary with the building.
Inside, the houses follow a common plan, being
divided on each floor by a cross-wall into two rooms
with a staircase at the back on the S. side and a
projecting 'powder-closet' on the N. Many of
the rooms retain their original panelling, doors,
fireplaces and staircases; the latter vary slightly
in design but generally have moulded strings and
handrails and twisted balusters and newels, though
in some cases the steps have carved brackets below
the ends of the treads.
Church Street. E. side
a(13). Petyt School, adjoining the old churchyard on the N., was re-erected in 1890 on the design
of the original building, and has rebuilt in the W.
wall an early 18th-century stone tablet with an
inscription in Roman capitals recording the
erection of the original school in 1705 at the expense
and endowment of William Petyt, and the accommodation which included a parish Vestry Room,
a schoolroom and upper rooms for the lodgings for
a schoolmaster.
a(14). House, No. 16, has been rebuilt, but has
refixed on the street front a cast-iron fire-back
which was dug up in the garden. It has a moulded
rim and in the middle of the panel is represented
a cock swallowing a snake, with a second snake
below; above the cock is the date 1652.
W. side
a(15). Workshops and Tenements, Nos. 9, 11, 13,
15, 29 and 31, are of three storeys with basements
In the S. wall of No. 9 is a stone inscribed in
Roman capitals "This is Church Lane, Ine ye …
Yeare of Charles the Seconds reigne, M. … 1668."
They have been much altered and added to.
No. 13 has on the front a projecting brick band at
the second-floor level and some of the buildings
retain old box-frames to the windows. Inside the
buildings No. 11 has between the front room and
the staircase an opening flanked by fluted Doric
pilasters with entablature and panelled soffit.
Some of the rooms are lined with plain panelling,
and most of the houses have original staircases
with turned balusters and moulded strings and
handrails, though in some cases these are of early
18th-century character.
Condition—Poor.
a(16). Stanley House (St. Mark's College),
on the N. side of King's Road, 1,100 yards W. of the
Parish Church, is of two storeys with attics. It
was rebuilt in 1691 and left unfinished for some years
and is an excellent example of the period. It is
practically square on plan, with a hipped roof,
and has plain pilasters at the angles and plain
bands at the first-floor level and below the
modillioned eaves-cornice; each front is in five
bays with flat-headed windows; the middle bay
on the main front has on the ground-floor an entrance
doorway with a simple moulded architrave and the
window in the corresponding bay at the back has
a similar architrave and cornice carried on curved
brackets, both fronts have three dormers in the
roof with straight or segmental pediments. Inside
the building, between the entrance hall and the
principal room on the ground-floor, is a round-headed archway with moulded archivolt and
imposts, carved key-block and soffit with octagonal
panels; it is flanked on the hall side by fluted
Ionic columns with carved capitals supporting an
entablature with a moulded cornice and broken
pediment. Many of the rooms are lined with simple
panelling with moulded dado-rails and cornices,
and the main staircase has a moulded handrail and
turned balusters.
a(17). Walls on E. and S. sides of the Moravian
Burial Ground, between Beaufort Street and Milman's Street, are of Tudor brickwork. The N. wall
of the Chapel on the N. side of the Burial Ground is
also of Tudor brickwork and retains six of its
original buttresses, but the whole is now plastered
over both internally and externally.