Bloody Bridge seems to have gained its fearful character early; in Chelsea register is the following notice of the name:—“1590. John Dukes was this year enjoyned to make a Causie at bloody Gate.”
Charles Dartquineuve, the friend of Pope, and to whom Dodsley was once footman, was appointed surveyor of the King’s Private Roads, in 1731, in room of General Watkins. Pass-tickets of copper were issued in that year, and are prized by the curious in such matters.
Duellists also sought the Fire Fields, and Aubrey tells of one meeting near to Ebury farm, in the time of Charles I., between Lord Mohun and a foreign nobleman. The former was killed, not without suspicion of foul play; and the credulous antiquary relates that at the time of the duel, his mistress saw him approach her bed, draw the curtains, and go away without speaking!
Great numbers of the lower orders used to frequent the Five Fields, to indulge themselves with the brutal sports so prevalent formerly among them. Near where Coleshill Street now stands was a famous resort for cock-fighting, and every Good Friday numbers came to witness the barbarity. Duck-hunting in the ponds and bull and bear-baiting were also largely carried on; the head-quarters of the latter being at a house by the Willow Walk, once the habitation of the notorious Jerry Abershaw.
It is pleasant to quit such recollections for those of a purer kind. The old herbalists frequented these fields, where, they tell, the “wild clary” grew plentifully; and along the river’s bank the “bitter cresses” in great perfection. And Swift, walking to London from his Chelsea residence in 1711, mentions the hay-making in the fields; “it smells so sweet,” he says, “as we walk through the flowery meads;” but he spoils the idea by telling us that “the hay-making nymphs are perfect drabs.” The market gardens in the Five Fields, though not very numerous, were very valuable, being devoted chiefly to the culture of the asparagus and the rarer vegetables. Norden, in 1593, tells us,
“The deepe, and dirtie, loathsome soyle,
Yields golden gaine to painefull toyle;”
and that the labourer “will refuse a pallace to droyle in these golden puddles.” The nursery ground of Messrs. Allen and Rogers was in being so late as 1832, adjoining to the King’s Road. The father of Mr. Redgrave, the distinguished artist, resided in a house on the King’s Road, and here his eminent son was born.
One historical reminiscence will conclude the notices of the fields. Clarendon tells us that he, Hampden, Pym, Marten, and Fiennes had dined together at Pym’s lodgings, when Fiennes proposed a ride into these fields. Accordingly they set off; and the conversation turning on the Episcopacy Bill, Fiennes asked Hyde why he so passionately adhered to the Church, Hyde’s reply was an expression of doubt as to the stability of the State, or of religion itself, if the government of the Church was altered; and Fiennes rejoining that much blood would be shed ere that would be submitted to, Hyde (Clarendon) remarks it was the first positive declaration he had heard from any particular man of the party. Hampden, Pym, and other leaders of those eventful times, are said to have sought the air and private intercommunication in the Five Fields. This anecdote concludes this early portion of Belgravia’s history; the reader’s attention will now be drawn to its streets and squares.
Belgrave Square was commenced in 1825, and designed by Basevi. It is 684 ft. in length, by 637 ft. in breadth. The two detached mansions on the western side were designed by H. E. Kendall. The one in the south-west was originally built for Mr. Kemp, of Kemp Town; afterwards it was occupied by Lady Harriett Drummond, the Marquis of Tweeddale, and in 1837 became the residence of Lord Hill, for many years Commander-in Chief. After his death the late Earl Ducie lived here, and on his decease, in 1853, the house was sold, and enlarged to its present size. The mansion in the north-west was the residence of the late Earl Brownlow.
General Sir George Murray, the friend of Wellington and Peel, lived at No. 5, and died there in 1846, respected and regretted. No. 2 was the residence of the late James Goding, Esq., who formed a fine collection of paintings, and other works of art. No. 6 is the Duke of Bedford’s, and at No. 9 resides the celebrated Countess Dowager of Essex. At No. 10 lived M. Drouyn de l’Huys, while Ambassador at St. James’ from France. At 16 resides Sir Roderick Murchison, and at 18 lived the late Earl of Ellesmere. No. 36, sometimes called Ingestrie House, was in 1840 the residence of H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent, and at present of Colonel Douglas Pennant. Mr. Labouchere at 27, the Archbishop of York 41, Sir M. S. Stewart at 42, the Duke of Montrose, Mr. Abel Smith, and Field-Marshal Lord Combermere, are also residents of Belgrave Square.