Besant Collection (#5)

South-west view of Gerrards Hall, London, c1834 (1906). Gerrards Hall was the residence of John de Gisors, Lord Mayor of London in 1245, 1246 and 1259. From Medieval London, Vol

Tournament of the Earl of Warwick, 16th century (1906). John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1527-1554), and his brothers Ambrose (1530-1590) and Robert (1533-1588)

Ships at La Rochelle, France, in 1372, c1804 (1906). A depiction of the naval Battle of La Rochelle from the Chronicle of Jean Froissart

The Peasants Revolt of 1381, 1804 (1906). Artist: John Harris the Elder
The Peasants Revolt of 1381, 1804 (1906). King Richard II and his council go down the Thames in a barge to confer with the rebels

Whittingtons House in Swithins Passage, Moor Lane, City of London, 1823 (1906). Richard Dick Whittington (c1350-1423) was Mayor of London in 1397-1398

The Old Fountain in the Minories, City of London, c1798 (1906). From Medieval London, Vol. 1 - Historical & Social, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1906]

Sketch map of London in the 15th century, 1906. From Medieval London, Vol. 1 - Historical & Social, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1906]

A fete at Horselydown, Southwark, in 1590, 1904. From London in the Time of Tudors, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1904]

Billingsgate, London, 1598 (1904). Artist: Hugh Alley
Billingsgate, London, 1598 (1904). From London in the Time of Tudors, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1904]

Interior view of Queen Elizabeths Bath, London, 1834 (1904). Artist: James Basire III
Interior view of Queen Elizabeths Bath, London, 1834 (1904). From London in the Time of Tudors, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1904]

Staple Inn, High Holborn, London, c1890 (1904). Staple Inn is a Tudor building in the City of London used as the London venue for meetings of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Shop and solar, Clare Market, London, since demolished, 1895 (1904). Clare Market was an area of London in the parish of St Clement Danes to the west of Lincolns Inn Fields

South front of Baynards Castle, London, in about 1640, 1790 (1904). Artist: Andrew Birrell
South front of Baynards Castle, London, in about 1640, 1790 (1904). Baynard?s Castle refers to a number of buildings situated on the Thames

Map of Bishopsgate, City of London, c1599 (1904). From London in the Time of Tudors, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1904]

Old St Pauls Cathedral before the destruction of the steeple, 1657 (1904). Artist: Wenceslaus Hollar
Old St Pauls Cathedral before the destruction of the steeple, 1657 (1904). Old St Pauls Cathedral was the medieval cathedral of the City of London that, until 1666

Nonsuch House, London, c1845 (1904). The Nonsuch House on London Bridge, completed in 1579, is the earliest documented prefabricated building

The Coronation procession of Edward VI, 1547 (1904). Edward VI (1537-1553) was King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death

Eastcheap Market, London, c1598 (1904). Eastcheap was the site of a medieval food market. From London in the Time of Tudors, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1904]

The Exchequer in the time of Henry VII, c1490 (1904). From London in the Time of Tudors, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1904]

Winchester House, Southwark, about 1649, from the tower of St. Saviour s, c1812, (1912). Artist: Wenceslaus Hollar
Winchester House, Southwark, about 1649, from the tower of St. Saviour s, c1812, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

A Plan of Rotherhithe, 1755, (1912). Artists: Unknown, John Stow
A Plan of Rotherhithe, 1755, (1912). John Stow?s A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, originally published in 1598 and 1603

Woolwich Dockyard from the Thames, c1750, (1912). Artists: Unknown, John Boydell
Woolwich Dockyard from the Thames, c1750, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

The Southwark End of Old London Bridge, 1831, (1912). Artists: Unknown, Edward William Cooke
The Southwark End of Old London Bridge, 1831, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

Dr. Lettsoms House, Camberwell, c1805, (1912). Artists: Unknown, George Samuel Elgood
Dr. Lettsoms House, Camberwell, c1805, (1912). A view of Grove Hill, Camberwell, the residence of the physician and philanthropist John Coakley Lettsom (1744-1815)

The Old Effra Milk House, c1880, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

The Brockley Jack Inn, c1912, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

In College Road, Dulwich, (1912)
In College Road, Dulwich, c1912, (1912). One of the large Georgian houses built when the village of Dulwich was one of the most sequestered spots near London

Dulwich College, c1912, (1912)
Dulwich College, 1912. The letters patent by James I on 21 June 1619 authorised Edward Alleyn to establish a college in Dulwich to be called the College of Gods Gif t, in Dulwich in Surrey

Old Cottages in Merton Road, Tooting, c1890, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

The Club house at Ranelagh, c1890, (1912)
The Club-house at Ranelagh, c1890, (1912). The Ranelagh Club, a famous polo club located at Barn Elms in South West London, founded in 1878 as a split-off from the Hurlingham Club

Brixton Road, c1912, (1912). The great southern thoroughfare of london. From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

Morden College, Blackheath, 1751, (1912). Morden College is a long standing charity which has been providing residential care in Blackheath, south east London, for over 300 years

View of Wandsworth, Surrey, c1780, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

Guys Hospital, c1900, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

The Old Elephant and Castle Inn, c1785, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

Vaux Hall Manor House, c1813, (1912). Manor House, Vauxhall shown as it stood in 1644, the site is now occupied by the MI6 building. From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant

The Old St. Thomass Hospital in Bermondsey, which replaced the earlier monastic buildings in 1701, and was sold in 1862, c1854, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant

The Fort at Vauxhall erected for the defence of London during the Civil War, c1810, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

Waterloo Railway Station, as it appeared when first built, c1848, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

The Skin Market, Bermondsey, in the Middle of the Nineteenth Century, c1840, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

The Kings Bench Prison as it appeared in 1823, c1827, (1912). The Kings Bench Prison, Southwark, took its name from the Kings Bench court of law in which cases of defamation

One of the Forts erected by the Parliament for the defence of London during the Civil War, c1808, (1912). One of the Forts erected by the Parliament for the defence of London during the Civil War

The Globe on the Bank-side where Shakespeare acted, c1600, (1912). The Globe Theatre, a theatre in London associated with William Shakespeare

The South Side of St. Saviours, Southwark, showing the former nave, c1825, (1912)
The South Side of St. Saviour s, Southwark, showing the former nave, c1825, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

Tooley Street in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century, c1840, (1912).Tooley Street is a road in central and south London connecting London Bridge to St Saviours Dock

Part of the Site of St. Thomass Hospital at Southwark Being Cleared for Railway Purposes, c1862, (1912). From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1912]

A Gentlemens Seat on Stockwell Common, 1792, (1912). A Gentlemans Seat on Stockwell Common, Angells House later known as Stockwell Park House. From London - South of the Thames, by Sir Walter Besant

Severndroog Castle, Shooters Hill, 1807, (1912). Artists: Sir William James, FR Hay
Severndroog Castle, Shooters Hill, 1807, (1912). Severndroog Castle, Oxleas Wood, Shooters Hill in south-east London, designed by Richard Jupp (1728-1799)

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"Besant: A Trailblazer in Social Justice and Activism" In 1888, the world witnessed a pivotal moment in history with the Matchgirl Strike. The courageous actions of the 1888 Matchgirls, led by Annie Besant, marked a turning point in workers' rights and ignited a spark that would fuel future movements. Born circa 1900, Annie Besant was an influential figure who dedicated her life to fighting for justice and equality. Her tireless efforts resonated far beyond her time, leaving an indelible mark on society. Besant's activism extended beyond labor issues. She played a significant role in various causes throughout her life. From championing women's suffrage to advocating for educational reforms, she fearlessly challenged societal norms. The Holy Trinity Church in Clapham stands as a testament to Besant's unwavering faith and commitment to spirituality. Built around c1812 and restored in 1912, this sacred place served as both solace and inspiration for her during turbulent times. Annie Besant collaborated closely with fellow activist Fuller on numerous projects aimed at improving living conditions for the working class. Together they fought against poverty-stricken neighborhoods depicted vividly by William Hogarth's powerful artworks like "Beer Street" (1751) or "A Country Inn Yard" (1747). It also shed light on social vices prevalent within elite circles through works such as William Radclyffe's depiction of "Gambling at Whites Club" (1734). Her relentless pursuit of truth exposed injustices regardless of social standing or privilege. With deep historical roots dating back to King Edward the Confessor's Palace at Borstal (Brill) in 1908 or incidents surrounding Venners Rising and rebel leaders' execution from 1661 captured poignantly by Thomas Dale’s artwork depicting Leadenhall Skin Market (1825), Besant understood that understanding the past was crucial for shaping a better future.