"Now Picture That" is a series of posts which share old
engravings and photos of Britain to help you imagine how things looked in times
gone by.
Image taken from an antique print of the west front of Westminster Abbey. The street in front was known as Tothill Street which was home to titled gentlemen such as the Bishop of Chester (1488), Lord Dudley (1522), Lord Dacre, Sir George Carew (1612), Southern (the dramatic poet) and Edmund Burke. The homes had extensive gardens, but both homes and gardens have now been swept away. The area around this street has a wide and varied history including a military garden, a racecourse, a bear garden, bull baiting, and duels.
Drawn by Schnebbelie (fl.1803-1849). Engraved by Ambrose William Warren (fl.1805-1856). Originally featured in "London; being an accurate history and description of the British metropolis" (London 1805-1809) by David Hughson (Pugh).
The original image was a Copper line engraving on paper.
Published by J. Stratford, 112 Holborn hill, June 8th 1805
The area around Westminster is explored in our self guided tour available to download to your phone or tablet today from www.obelisktours.com:
Parliament Square is surrounded by some of the great British institutions: Parliament, The Church of England, The Supreme Court and HM Treasury. This tour goes back to the roots of this area and uncovers layers of history from the time when Edward the Confessor first built his Palace here and upgraded a little monastery of Benedictine monks. This is a place of high drama: of assassination and executions, of Royal scandal and glory, of coronations and state funerals, of monarchy against parliament – all set against a backdrop of inspiring architecture, of Sanctuary and commemoration.
We cross the paths of historical favourites such as Guy Fawkes, Pirates, Richard the Lion heart, Unknown Warriors, and Winston Churchill.
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