Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
If you would like to write a summary for this topic, email phil [at] gyford [dot] com
Either mis-spelt by Pepys, or known as Brainford in his time, it is now known as “Brentford.”
Not a mis-spelling; Brentford was the scene of an action early in the civil war when Prince Rupert’s cavaliers overran a roundhead garrison and plundered the town. Accounts written at the time refer to the incident as “Brainford-fight” (12th November 1642). By 1722 it had become “Brentford” according to the list of market towns on the London Ancestor site: http://www.londonancestor.com/stow/stow-market-all.htm
Also known as Braynford, Brentford and other spellings.
The battle is more commonly known as the “Battle of Turnham Green” and was one of the earliest in the Civil War. The Royalists gained the upper hand initially but after several days fighting retreated, so ending their march on London.
Brentford is at the junction of the Rivers Brent and Thames (and is now the terminus of the Grand Union Canal)and was one of the safest places to cross the river at a time when there were no bridges. Since it is about 10 miles from London it was the first staging post where coach horses were rested or changed before carrying on to Hounslow Heath, Staines, Windsor and Bath. Consequently there were a lot of coaching inns here, and the market was an important one.
Notable buildings include Syon House which was the home of the Duke of Northumberland and still is; and Boston Manor House (free). For modern Brentford read the humorous Brentford trilogy in five parts by Robert Rankin (“East of Ealing”, “The Brentford Triangle”, “The Sprouts of Wrath” etc.)
better connection for middlesex map http://www.londonancestor.com/maps/middx.htm
map of mddx: showing county, save the map to home cmpt for all the middlesex connection like the road to cambridge epping forrest etc.