Baynard's Castle

Phil on 17 Jun 2003   Link to this

The L&M Companion describe it as being "on the Thames, stretching up the hill to (Upper) Thames St, opposite Addle Hill."

There is more on the history of the castle (which no longer exists) here http://www.britannia.com/history/londonhistory/... and here http://web.archive.org/web/20010214064821/http:...

Glyn on 17 Jun 2003   Link to this

http://instruct.uwo.ca/english/234e/site/lndnmp...

Baynards Castle was at the western junction of the City Walls and the River Thames (near the Fleet River): while the Tower of London was at the eastern junction of the City Walls and the Thames.

But I'm a little surprised that it doesn't appear more clearly in any of the London maps in the Backgroung Information/General Reference/Maps section, unless I've overlooked it.

maureen on 17 Jun 2003   Link to this

I found this map - just marked C18 - with Baynard's Castle clearly shown. (North end of Blackfriars Bridge is where the Fleet River joined the Thames.) http://www.londonancestor.com/maps/baynards-thu...

vincent on 17 Jun 2003   Link to this

Thanks Maureen, Glyn: Fantastique: Amen corner near Newgate how thoughtful?
Glas house yard near Black Fryers ?
Doctors commons ?

vincent on 20 Jun 2003   Link to this

"1731 version " Baynard's Castle Ward contains Peter's Hill, Bennet's Hill, part of Thames Street, Paul's Wharf, Puddle Dock, Addle Hill, Knightrider Street, Carter Lane, Wardrobe Court, Paul's Chain, part of St. Paul's Churchyard, Dean's Court, part of Creed Lane, and part of Warwick Lane.

The public buildings in this ward are Doctors' Commons, the Heralds' Office, the churches of St. Bennet, Paul's Wharf, St. Andrew, Wardrobe, and St. Mary Magdalen, Old Fish Street.

from http://www.flora-source.com/library/index.htm

george on 20 Jun 2003   Link to this

Baynard's Castle is the setting of Act III, Scene 7 of Shakespear's Richard III, where Richard receives the acclamation of the locals. According to a footnote in my Bantam edition, Baynard's Castle was a "residence on the north bank of the Thames. It was founded by Baynard, a nobelman at the time of the Conquest, and belonged to Richard's father."

Bill on 15 Jun 2013   Link to this

Baynard's Castle was destroyed in the Great Fire. "Only a round tower, part of Baynard's Castle, yet stands, and, with other additional buildings, is converted into a dwelling-house." A memory of its existence is preserved in the name it has given to the ward of Castle Baynard, and in the sign of Castle Baynard given to a new tavern, noticeable for its elaborate terra-cotta decoration, at the corner of St. Andrew's Hill, in Queen Victoria Street.
---London, Past and Present. H.B. Wheatley, 1891.