Especially to my friends in the UK, if you will be in London on Monday November 6, or on Saturday, November 11 (details below), I would love to see you at one of these talks in Uxbridge! Much of my time in the several years since our last trip to the UK has been spent working on the subject of my last few posts–a lovely class II* listed site in Uxbridge now known as the “Crown and Treaty”.
As has happened several times, I stumbled into a mystery about this building while researching a thread about Sir Richard Lane. Built in 1576, this remarkable house was originally far grander than even the surviving building would suggest. Despite being an important historic site after the 1645 Peace Treaty Negotiations were held there (during the English Civil War), the original property fell into disrepair and was largely torn down to make way for an important London canal project in the 1750s.
Sadly, there are no surviving images of the original building and grounds. But while doing my other research, I came to realize there are a myriad of scattered clues about the original house: historical records and articles, accounts of the negotiations and the earliest depictions of the remaining structure made only a few decades after the rest of the house was demolished.
Most tantalizing was that the vague reality those clues hinted at–the size of the building required to host the negotiations, and also how unique and grand this original property really was! So, I undertook an effort to build a virtual reconstruction of the original property. In the end, it came together!
So, with the help of an artist friend of mine, we will be unveiling a large picture of the Original Treaty House, framed with its story from my research. This large artwork will hang in the main floor next to a fireplace built while Queen Elizabeth I was in the middle of her reign. Having recently undergone a dramatic renovation by its most recent owners (the Old Spot Pub company), this site is now a beautifully done historic pub , restaurant, music spot and wedding/event venue. Truly an honor.
There are two talks: Both open to the public–please join us if you can!
The Jewel of Uxbridge: Unravelling the Lost Origins of the Crown and Treaty
— This talk will be oriented for the Uxbridge History Society, and so will focus a bit more on my research. It will include the first public view of a drawing of the Original Treaty house.
- Monday, November 6, 2023 at 7pm
- Church Hall of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Michael
- Osborn Rd, Uxbridge UB8 1UE Uxbridge, UK (entrance to the hall is on the dual carriageway)
The Jewel of Uxbridge: Unveiling the Lost Origins of the Crown and Treaty
— This talk will be held upstairs in the room with the famous historic paneling and will be oriented more for the general public. It will include an unveiling of the “reconstruction” artwork created specifically to hang in this historic venue!
- Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 3pm
- Crown and Treaty
- 90 Oxford Rd, Uxbridge UB8 1LU Uxbridge, UK
After the talks in Uxbridge, I will post my last major article on the Crown and Treaty, and will include pictures from the talks, and (finally!) the picture of the Original Treaty House we have been working on for so long!
I am thrilled to thank my hosts for these talks, Sam (the General Manager of the Crown and Treaty) and Nick (Local History Society committee member and parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Michael church). I am looking forward to meeting you both!
My final, deeply felt thanks go to the owners of the Old Spot Pub Company. Thank you so much for your significant investment in refurbishing this wonderful historic site. You have definitely restored some lovely shades of its original glory!
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