Twickenham, York House From The Bridge c.1955

Photo ref: T91015

More about this scene

In 1635 the town archery butts stood at the eastern entrance to Twickenham in Richmond Road - a reminder of the need for a standing army in a constant state of readiness for war abroad. However, in the 17th century the citizens of England found themselves engaged in a different and more sinister war, the English Civil War which lasted from 1642-6. This pitted Protestants against Catholics, Parliamentarians against Royalists. It was followed by the Commonwealth and Protectorate under Cromwell, and the restoration of the Stuart monarchy under Charles II in 1660. At different times in the turmoil which gripped the country during these years both Protestants and Roman Catholics were persecuted, and many prominent figures retired from life in town to manage their estates in the safer countryside. This, together with ideas from the Renaissance which were reaching England, promoted the growing interest in garden design which was to reach its height in the 18th century. In 1636 the York(e) farm estate was held by Andrew Pitcarne, a groom of the King's Chamber. Moses Glover's map of 1635 shows a building in the vicinity of today's York House, covered in scaffolding and surrounded by a number of smaller structures, some of which line the roads. This is marked 'Mr Pecarne's house', and most authorities regard it as marking the construction of the current York House. The central portion of York House dates from 1635, and is one of the oldest surviving buildings locally.