Richmond upon Thames

Richmond is a suburb in southwest London, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Early history

Henry I lived briefly in the King's house in Sheanes (or Shene or Sheen). In 1299 Edward I "Hammer of the Scots", took his whole court to the manor-house at Sheen, a little east of the bridge, and close by the river side, which thus became a royal palace. William Wallace ("Braveheart") was executed in London in 1305, and it was in Sheen that the Commissioners from Scotland went down on their knees before Edward. The Percy family from Northumberland were rewarded for their loyalty by receiving a barony at Sheen in 1310. To this day the Dukes of Northumberland divide their time between Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, and Syon House, just north of Richmond. Edward II did not fare as well as his father. Following his defeat at the hands of the Scots at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, he founded a monastery for Carmelites at Sheen. When the boy-king Edward III came to the throne in 1327 he gave the manor to his mother Isabella. Almost 50 years later his wife, also called Isabella died. Edward then spent over 2,000 pounds on improvements. In the middle of the work Edward III himself died at the manor in 1377. In 1368 Geoffrey Chaucer served as a yeoman at Sheen.

Related Topics:
Henry I - Sheen - 1299 - Edward I - William Wallace - 1305 - Scotland - Percy family - Northumberland - 1310 - Alnwick Castle - Syon House - Edward II - Battle of Bannockburn - 1314 - Edward III - 1327 - Isabella - 1377 - 1368 - Geoffrey Chaucer

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Richard II was the first English king to make Sheen his main residence in 1383. He took his bride Anne of Bohemia there. Twelve years later Richard was so distraught at the death of Anne at the age of 28, that he, according to Holinshed, "caused it to be thrown down and defaced; whereas the former kings of this land, being wearie of the citie, used customarily thither to resort as to a place of pleasure, and serving highly to their recreation." For almost 20 years it lay in ruins, until Henry V undertook rebuilding work in 1414. Henry also founded a Carthusian monastery there. There were various royal connections at Sheen until the fateful day of 23 December 1497 when most of the (wooden) buildings were destroyed by fire.

Related Topics:
Richard II - 1383 - Anne of Bohemia - Holinshed - Henry V - 1414 - 23 December - 1497

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