Prince Henry's Room facts for kids
Prince Henry's Room is a special historic room in London. You can find it on the first floor of No. 17 Fleet Street. This building is very old. It is one of the few places in the City of London that survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. It's so important that it's called a Grade II* Listed Building. This means it's protected because of its history.
Contents
Discovering Prince Henry's Room History
From Knights to Taverns: The Building's Past
Long ago, the land where Prince Henry's Room stands belonged to the Knights Templar. These were powerful medieval knights. Later, the Knights Hospitaller took over. In 1610, the building was rebuilt. It became a popular place called the Prince's Arms tavern.
This new name was chosen for a special reason. It was around the time Prince Henry became the Prince of Wales. He was the son of King James I.
Famous Visitors and Changing Names
In the 1600s, the building was known as the Fountain Inn. A famous diarist named Samuel Pepys visited it on October 14, 1661. He wrote about his life in London.
Later, in the early 1800s, a fun exhibition was held here. It was called "Mrs Salmon's Waxworks." People could see wax figures in the front part of the house. The tavern still operated in the back.
Who Owns This Historic Place Now?
In 1900, the London County Council bought the house. The City of London Corporation helped with the cost. Today, the City of London Corporation owns and takes care of the property.
What Makes Prince Henry's Room Special?
Exploring the Room's Unique Features
Prince Henry's Room is not always open to the public. You can usually only see it during special events. The most amazing part of the room is its ceiling. It has a beautiful, old Jacobean plaster ceiling. This means it was made in the style popular during the time of King James I.
Royal Symbols and Old Woodwork
Look closely at the ceiling. You will see the Prince of Wales's feathers. These are three ostrich feathers, a symbol of the Prince of Wales. You can also spot the initials "PH" in the middle. These stand for Prince Henry.
One wall in the room has its original Jacobean wood panelling. The other wooden panels were added later. They are from the Georgian period. There is also a fireplace with a wooden frame. Above it, an inscription mentions Samuel Pepys. The room also has lovely leaded windows. They show coats of arms and badges.
Prince Henry's Room as a Museum
A Look Back at the Samuel Pepys Exhibition
From 1975, Prince Henry's Room was a museum. It had an exhibition about Samuel Pepys. Pepys was born on Fleet Street in 1633. The Samuel Pepys Club helped pay for this exhibition.
Current Use of the Room
After about ten years, the museum closed. Today, the room is mostly empty. It only has a large table inside. The City of London Corporation has been discussing how to use the room in the future.
