Walter Besant Collection (#7)

The Causeway, Wandsworth, Showing the Pound, c1895, (1912). The causeway, connected the village square at the end of Wandsworth plain to the Thameside warehouses and strip fields

Dr Johnsons House, City of London, c1900 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Dr Johnsons House, City of London, c1900 (1911). Dr Johnsons House is a house museum in London, in the former home of the 18th century English writer Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

London Bridge, City of London, 1911. Artist: Pictorial Agency
London Bridge, City of London, 1911. In 1799, a competition for designs to replace the existing London Bridge was held. John Rennie (1761-1821)

Old Pye Street and the Ragged School, c1897. Artist: William Patten
Old Pye Street and the Ragged School, c1897. Ragged schools were charitable organisations dedicated to the free education of destitute children in 19th-century Britain

Miltons House in Petty France, c1897. Artist: William Patten
Miltons House in Petty France, c1897. The home of John Milton (1608-1674), English poet, at No. 19 York Street. Miltons most famous work is his epic Paradise Lost, first published in 1667

The Entrance to Speakers Ward as it appeared before the fire, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The Entrance to Speakers Yard, from New Palace Yard, as it appeared before the fire, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

The House of Commons at the Beginning of the Century, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The House of Commons at the Beginning of the Century, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

The House of Lords at the Beginning of the Century, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The House of Lords at the Beginning of the Century, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

A Reduced Copy of Fishers Ground Plan of the Royal Palace of Whitehall, Taken in the Reign of Char Artist
A Reduced Copy of Fishers Ground Plan of the Royal Palace of Whitehall, Taken in the Reign of Charles II. 1680, c1897. Copied from a survey of 1680 by John Fisher. From Westminster, by Walter Besant

The Water Gate, New Palace Yard, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The Water Gate, New Palace Yard, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

The Waterside Elevation of Inigo Jones Proposed Palace, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The Waterside Elevation of Inigo Jones Proposed Palace, c1897. The Palace of Whitehall (or Palace of White Hall) was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698 when

Facsimile of the Game and Playe of the Chesse, c1470. The Rook - An illustration from the Game and Playe of the Chesse: Book Two by William Caxton

Broken Cross Within The Abbey Precincts, c1897. Artist: William Patten
Broken Cross Within The Abbey Precincts, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

The Boars Head Inn, King Street, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The Boars Head Inn, King Street, c1897. The rebuilt Blue Boars Head at 34, Kings Street, Westminster. It was demolished, along with what was left of King Street, in 1899

The King Street Gate, Westminster, Demolished 1723, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The King Street Gate, Westminster, Demolished 1723, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

The Westminster Schoolroom, Formerly The Abbots Dormitory, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The Westminster Schoolroom, Formerly The Abbots Dormitory, c1897. The Great Hall of Westminster School. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

Monk of the Order of St. Benedict, c1897. Artist: William Patten
Monk of the Order of St. Benedict, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

Jerusalem Chamber. Abbots Residence, Westminster, c1897. Artist: William Patten
Jerusalem Chamber. Abbots Residence, Westminster, c1897. Historic room in the Abbey where sections of the Authorised Version of the Bible were translated

Door to the Chapel of Edward The Confessor; Now Pyx Office, c1897. Artist: William Patten
Door to the Chapel of Edward The Confessor; Now Pyx Office, c1897. The Pyx Office of Westminster Abbey. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

Entrance to Chapter House, c1897. Artist: William Patten
Entrance to Chapter House, c1897. The entrance to the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

Plan of the Benedictine Abbey of Westminster, c1897. Artist: William Patten
Plan of the Benedictine Abbey of Westminster, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

The Star Chamber. Demolished in 1834, c1897. Artist: William Patten
The Star Chamber. Demolished in 1834, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

East Front of St. Stephens Chapel as it appeared after the fire of 1834, c1897. Artist: William Patten
East Front of St. Stephens Chapel as it appeared after the fire of 1834, c1897. From Westminster, by Walter Besant. [Chatto & Windus, London, 1897]

Interior of the Crypt Called the Powder Plot Cellar beneath the Old Palace of Westminster, c1883 Artist: William Patten
Interior of the Crypt Called the Powder Plot Cellar beneath the Old Palace of Westminster, c1883. The cellar was destroyed in the fire of 1834 that devastated the mediaeval Houses of Parliament

A perspective view of the Bank of England, 1743 (1903). Artist: Robert West
A perspective view of the Bank of England, 1743 (1903). From London in the Time of the Stuarts, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1903]

Charles II touching a patient for the Kings evil, c1680 (1903). Artist: Frederick-Hendrik van den Hove
Charles II touching a patient for the Kings evil, c1680 (1903).The royal touch was a form of laying on of hands, whereby French and English monarchs would touch their subjects

The Coronation of James II in Westminster Abbey, London, 1685 (1903). Artist: William Sherwin
The Coronation of James II in Westminster Abbey, London, 1685 (1903). The coronation of James II (1633-1701) and his Queen Mary of Modena (1658-1718) took place on 23 April 1685

Letter from General Monck to the Speaker of the House of Commons, 1659 (1903)
A letter from Lord General Monck to the Speaker of the House of Commons sent from the Guildhall, London, 1659 (1903). From London in the Time of the Stuarts, by Sir Walter Besant

Englands Miraculous Preservation, 1646 (1903)
Englands Miraculous Preservation Emblematically Described, Erected for a Perpetual Monument to Posterity, 1646 (1903). An allegory showing the Ark of England containing three chambers

Queen Henrietta Marias Entry into London, 1625 (1903). Henrietta Maria of France (1609-1669) was Queen Consort of England, Scotland, and Ireland as the wife of King Charles I (1600-1649)

The destruction of Cheapside Cross and the burning of the Book of Sports, May 1643 (1903). The Cheapside Cross (or Eleanors Cross) in London was demolished on 2 May 1643

A facsimile of the order for the burning of the Book of Sports, 1643 (1903). The Declaration of Sports was a declaration of King James I of England (1566-1625), issued in 1617

Triumphal arch erected at the time of the coronation of King James I, 1604 (1903). James VI of Scotlands (1566-1625) English coronation took place on 25 July 1603

Inner Temple Gate House, City of London, c1900 (1911). Inner Temple, Fleet Street, is one of the four Inns of Court in central London

Fleet Street, City of London, c1900 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Fleet Street, City of London, c1900 (1911). Fleet Street is named after the River Fleet, Londons largest underground river. The street is traditionally associated with the British national press

Long Lane, Smithfield, City of London, 1810 (1911). Artist: John Thomas Smith
Long Lane, Smithfield, City of London, 1810 (1911). From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

General Post Office, City of London, c1910 (1911). Britains first purpose-built mail facility located in St Martins le Grand

Cloth Fair, City of London, 1911. Cloth Fair is a street in the City of London where merchants gathered to buy and sell material during the Bartholomew Fair

Paternoster Row, City of London, 1911. Paternoster Row was the centre of the London publishing trade. In 1819 Paternoster Row was described as ?almost synonymous? with the book trade

An exciting game: pupils of Christs Hospital school, City of London, c1900 (1911). Artist: RW Thomas
An exciting game: pupils of Christs Hospital school, City of London, c1900 (1911). Founded in 1552, Christs Hospital was the result of the vision of King Edward VI (1537-1553)

Custom House, City of London, 1911. From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Billingsgate Market, City of London, c1900 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
Billingsgate Market, City of London, c1900 (1911). Billingsgate Wharf, Lower Thames Street, became the centre of a fish market during the 16th

The Coal Exchange, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
The Coal Exchange, City of London, c1910 (1911). The London Coal Exchange was situated on the north side of Thames Street, occupying three different structures from 1770 to 1962

Fishmongers Hall, City of London, 1911. Artist: Pictorial Agency
Fishmongers Hall, City of London, 1911. The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers the Company ranks fourth in the order of precedence of City Livery Companies

Cannon Street, looking west, City of London, c1910 (1911). From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

Queen Victoria Street, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: York & Son
Queen Victoria Street, City of London, c1910 (1911). From London - The City, by Sir Walter Besant. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1911]

British and Foreign Bible Society House, City of London, c1890 (1911). Artist: Pictorial Agency
British and Foreign Bible Society House, City of London, c1890 (1911). The British and Foreign Bible Society, often known in England and Wales as simply the Bible Society

Interior of Stationers Hall, City of London, c1910 (1911). Artist: Hedley Hilton
Interior of Stationers Hall, City of London, c1910 (1911). The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers (until 1937 the Worshipful Company of Stationers)

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"Walter Besant: A Literary Journey Through Time" Step into the world of Walter Besant, a renowned English novelist and historian whose works have left an indelible mark on literature. Born in Clapham in 1812, Besant's creative genius knew no bounds as he transported readers through various eras and settings. Immerse yourself in the vibrant streets of Beer Street, captured by William Hogarth in 1751 and brought to life once again through Besant's words in 1925. Feel the hustle and bustle of A Country Inn Yard from Hogarth's brush, resonating with readers decades later thanks to Besant's masterful storytelling. Besant delves even further back into history with Gambling at Whites Club, a glimpse into the opulent yet treacherous world of London society during the early 18th century. The execution of rebel leaders during Venners Rising becomes hauntingly vivid under his penmanship, transporting us to a time when political unrest gripped England. But it is not just historical events that captivate Walter Besant; he also paints vivid pictures of everyday life. Wander through Skin Market at Leadenhall in 1825 alongside Thomas Dale's artistic vision or stroll along The Causeway in Wandsworth as it appeared around 1895 - both scenes brought alive by Besant's keen eye for detail. Beyond his literary accomplishments, we catch glimpses himself - an engraving capturing his essence forever etched into history. His collaborative efforts with James Rice are immortalized through engravings depicting their novels "They Were Married" and "Armorel of Lyonesse, " showcasing their ability to transport readers across genres. Join us on this literary journey where past meets present as we explore the rich tapestry woven by Walter Besant.