Let’s journey back in time to the heart of
London
and discover the captivating history of
Long Acre
, a street that has witnessed centuries of change and remains an intriguing tapestry of past and present.
The story of Long Acre begins in 1645 when the creation of the parish of St. Paul,
Covent Garden
, left a strip of land between the boundaries of St. Paul and the parish of St. Martinin-the-Fields. This strip became known as Long Acre, a name borrowed from the field it once occupied. This field was initially seven acres and was purchased by King Henry VIII from the Abbey of Westminster. Henry VIII, a man known for his grand schemes, then leased the land to William Browne.
In a dramatic turn of events, the land was granted to Edward, Duke of Somerset, the Protector of the realm. However, in 1551, he was sentenced to death in Westminster Hall, and the cheers of the crowd at his supposed acquittal were heard in Long Acre. Can you imagine the scene? The tension, the anticipation, and the jubilant outpouring of relief turning into stunned silence.
The Rise of Long Acre
The land eventually passed into the hands of John, Earl of Bedford, who acquired it in 1552. He held this property for generations, cementing his family’s presence in the area. The northern portion of the land, known as Elmfield, was not purchased by Henry VIII but remained in the possession of the Mercers’ Company. It was leased in 1614 to Thomas, Earl of Exeter, and later sold to Sir William Slingsby.
This is where
Long Acre
truly takes shape! Slingsby and the Earl of Bedford collaborated to create the street we know today, laying out the road along their shared boundary. The term “Long Acre” started to encompass both sides of the street, blurring the lines between the Earl of Bedford’s property and the land owned by the Mercers’ Company.
But the road to development was not without its challenges. From 1616 onward, there were numerous complaints about unauthorized building in Long Acre. In 1630, the Earl of Bedford and Sir Henry Cary, the tenant of Elmfield, were summoned to address the poor condition of the street. They justified their inaction by explaining that they had granted long leases to encourage grand buildings. They promised to pave and maintain the street if given permission to build.
A Street in Transition
Despite the obstacles,
Long Acre
continued to evolve. Part of Elmfield was given to the Churchwardens of St. Clement Danes for use as a laystall, a place for waste disposal. Imagine the smell! This laystall became a source of contention in 1636 when the Justices of the Peace condemned it as a nuisance. The Churchwardens cleverly defended their position by arguing that the houses built in the area since the creation of the laystall posed a bigger problem.
However, this didn’t stop building. In 1637, a Lieutenant of the Horse named William Portington challenged an order to demolish his shed, arguing that it was a “tenement” and not a temporary structure. At the same time, Thomas Cooke declared that Long Acre was practically fully built. By 1650, the Parliamentary Survey revealed that the street was lined with houses and shops. Mercer Street and Cross Lane (now Neal Street) were also developed, and other alleys and lanes sprung up.
Famous Residents and Coachmakers
Long Acre
attracted some notable residents. Oliver Cromwell lived there from 1637 to 1643, Nicholas Stone, a renowned sculptor, lived there from 1615 to 1645, and John Parkinson, a prominent botanist, resided from 1626 to 1645. Other notable residents included Sir John Temple, John Taylor, the “water-poet,” Scipio Lesquire, Major-General Skippon, the Earl of Peterborough, John Dryden, and Lady Mary St. John.
Long Acre was also home to a thriving coach-making industry. This tradition dates back to the late 17th century and is reflected in the 1875 Ordnance Survey.
A Glimpse into the Past: Buildings of Long Acre
Let’s delve deeper into the architectural history of
Long Acre
. Nos. 16-20, built around 1690, boast simple brick facades. These buildings, once homes to merchants and craftsmen, offer a glimpse into a bygone era. Inside No. 19, you can still find original staircases with spiral balusters and beautiful panelling, while No. 20 holds a mantelpiece with a flat arched lintel.
Conduit Court, located between Nos. 17 and 18, was named after Leonard Conduit and was known for its broad pavement and well-built homes.
No. 17, known as “The Bird in Hand,” has held that name for over 200 years. Can you imagine the colorful signs that once adorned these buildings?
Langley Court, a narrow passageway on the south side of Long Acre, features interesting bay windows. It was previously known as Leg Alley, most likely due to the Golden Leg sign that once graced the corner house.
No. 53, built in the mid-18th century, has undergone significant interior modifications, but its exterior continues to tell its own story.
Long Acre, a street etched into the fabric of London’s history, continues to evolve and thrive. From the fields of Henry VIII to its bustling coach-making days, Long Acre has always been a place of change and adaptation. It’s a reminder that even in the heart of a bustling city, history whispers through the streets, leaving its mark on every building and every corner.
