Chelsea first became prominent when the ill-fated Sir Thomas More built a mansion overlooking the river there in the sixteenth century. It was from Chelsea that More set out the his trial and inevitable execution for denying Henry VIII his supremacy over the Church of England. With typical insensitivity, the king himself built another mansion near to More's house in which he deposited discarded wives and children.
In the seventeenth century the splendid Royal Hospital for retired soldiers was built, and in the eighteenth century the Ranelagh pleasure gardens brought thousands of Londoners to the delights of this riverside. But it was not until the nineteenth century that Chelsea's artistic reputation was established. It became the home of many distinguished artists and writers - Turner, Whistler, Smollett, Wilde and Rossetti, to name just a few. In recent time Chelsea has become best known for it fashionable shops and restaurants.
This fascinating area is comprehensively described in this well-illustrated book.
Contents:
Further Reading
A Village by the Thames
The Priest and the Prince
Mansions by the River
The Old Church
Boys of the Old Brigade
Men of Property
Tasteful Trades
Pleasure Gardens
Bridge Work
Boats and Boatmen
Waterworks
More Streets, More Churches
People of Politics
Stories out of Schools
Gardens and Gardeners
Chelsea Eccentrics
Women of Some Importance
Medicine Men
No Train to Catch
Town Talk
Music Makers
Literary Lions
A Palette of Painters
Kings Road
Little Chelsea
The Lost Town
Power Structure
Sloanes and Slums
Pens and Lens
Playbill
Pubs and Clubs
Works and Workers
Fun and Games
Blitz Diary
Looking After Chelsea
Index
