Prince Henry's Room facts for kids
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Prince Henry's Room is a very old and special place in London. You can find it on the first floor of a building at 17 Fleet Street. It's one of the few buildings in the City of London that survived the huge Great Fire of London in 1666! This makes it a very important historical site. It's also a Grade II* listed building, which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Prince Henry's Room
This spot has a long and interesting past. Long ago, it was owned by the Knights Templar, a famous group of medieval knights. Later, after another knightly group, the Knights Hospitaller, was no longer in charge, the building was rebuilt in 1610.
The Prince's Arms Tavern
When the building was new, it became a popular pub called the Prince's Arms. This name was chosen to honor Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, who was the son of King James I. Prince Henry had just been given the title of Prince of Wales.
Famous Visitors and Changes Over Time
During the 1600s, the building was known as the Fountain Inn. A famous diarist named Samuel Pepys visited it several times. He wrote about enjoying himself there with friends in his diary.
Later, in the 1770s, a lawyer named Lord Thurlow often visited before he became a very important judge. The building also housed a famous waxworks exhibition called Mrs Salmon's Waxworks in the early 1800s.
Becoming a Public Treasure
In 1900, the London County Council bought the house to protect it. The City of London Corporation helped with the purchase. This ensured that such an important historical building would be preserved for everyone.
From 1975, Prince Henry's Room was a museum. It had an exhibition all about Samuel Pepys, who was born nearby in Fleet Street. The Samuel Pepys Club helped make this exhibition possible. After about ten years, the museum closed, and the room is now empty of furniture.
Today, the building is home to the offices of the Delegation of the Catalonian Regional Government to the UK.
Visiting Prince Henry's Room Today
Prince Henry's Room is not usually open to the public every day. However, it does open for special events. For example, in September 2023, it was open for one day during the London Open House Festival, and over 700 people came to see it! The City of London Corporation has been discussing how best to use the room for the future.
Special Features: What Makes the Room Unique
The most amazing part of Prince Henry's Room is its beautiful and rare Jacobean plaster ceiling. It has fancy decorations, including the Prince of Wales's feathers and the initials "PH" right in the middle. These initials stand for Prince Henry.
Wood Panelling and Windows
One wall in the room still has its original wooden panels from the Jacobean period. The other wooden panels were added later, during the Georgian era. There's also a fireplace with a wooden frame. Above it, an inscription reminds visitors of the room's connection to Samuel Pepys. The windows are also special, with lovely leaded glass showing coats of arms and badges. You can see these best when you are inside the room.
See also
- List of buildings that survived the Great Fire of London
