Montagu House, Blackheath facts for kids
Montagu House (sometimes called Montague) was a large and important house. It was located at the edge of Greenwich Park in southeast London. Today, this area is where Charlton Way and Chesterfield Walk meet. The house looked out over the open land of Blackheath. It was right next to the Ranger's House. Montagu House was once a royal home for Caroline of Brunswick. The house was taken down in 1815.
A Look Back in Time
This grand house was built in the late 1600s. It was a country home for Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu. There were actually two buildings close by. One was Montagu House itself. The other was Park Corner House. For a while, Park Corner House was lived in by a person named George Moult.
An interesting person named Ignatius Sancho worked at Montagu House. He was a former slave who later became a writer. From 1749 to 1751, he was a butler for the family of John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu. He returned to work for the family again in 1766.
Queen Caroline's Home
Montagu House later became the home of Caroline of Brunswick. She was the wife of the Prince Regent. He later became King George IV. Caroline lived in the house from 1799 to 1812. Some records say she lived there from 1797 or 1798 to 1814.
Caroline had a daughter named Princess Charlotte of Wales. Princess Charlotte lived nearby with her governess. This was at the mansion of the Duchess of Brunswick. Today, that mansion is known as the Ranger's House.
A person named Miss Aikin visited Montagu House. She described it as a bit of a mix-up. She said it might look bright at night. But she felt it was "all glitter, and glare, and trick." She thought it seemed "tinsel and trumpery."
What Happened to the House?
All the buildings that made up Montagu House were torn down in 1815. Today, the area where the house stood is used for tennis courts. These are the Chesterfield Walk tennis courts.
Part of a back wall from the house still stands. It is now part of the park wall. Inside Greenwich Park, there is also a special pool. It is called 'Queen Caroline's bath'. Caroline had this area made into a lawn and garden. This happened after she became the Ranger of Greenwich Park in 1806.
You can find special plaques near the wall today. These plaques remember both Queen Caroline and Ignatius Sancho.
Images for kids
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Plaque to Ignatius Sancho
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Montagu House description
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Plaque to Queen Caroline
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Queen Caroline's Bath
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Site of Montagu House
