Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth

London - Pax Britannica

Lambeth (/ˈlæmbəθ/ (listen)) is a London borough in South London, England, which forms part of Inner London. Its name was recorded in 1062 as Lambehitha ("landing place for lambs") and in 1255 as Lambeth. The geographical centre of London is at Frazier Street near Lambeth North tube station, though nearby Charing Cross on the other side of the Thames in the City of Westminster is traditionally considered the centre of London.

History

Lambeth was part of the large ancient parish of Lambeth St Mary, the site of the archepiscopal Lambeth Palace, in the hundred of Brixton in the county of Surrey.[5] It was an elongated north-south parish with 2 miles (3.2 km) of River Thames frontage opposite the cities of London and Westminster. Lambeth became part of the Metropolitan Police District in 1829. It remained a parish for Poor Law purposes after the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, and was governed by a vestry after the introduction of the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1855.

Borough origins

Until 1889, Surrey included the present-day London borough of Lambeth. When it drew the boundaries for the London boroughs, the government initially suggested that the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth and the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark be merged into a new borough; the southern and eastern sections of the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth (including Clapham, Streatham and Tooting) would form another. South Shields town clerk R.S. Young was commissioned to make final recommendations to the government on the shape of the future London boroughs, and he noted that the Wandsworth council opposed the partition of their borough. However, Wandsworth's suggestion to merge Lambeth with the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea was rejected by both councils involved. Young believed that residents of Clapham and Streatham would be more familiar with Brixton than with Wandsworth, and recommended a new borough formed from the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth and six wards and portions of two others from the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth.

Geography

Lambeth is a long, thin borough, about 3 miles (4.8 km) wide and 7 miles (11 km) long. Brixton is its civic centre, and there are other town centres. The largest shopping areas are (in order of size) Streatham, Brixton, Vauxhall, Clapham and West Norwood. In the northern part of the borough are the central London districts of the South Bank, Vauxhall and Lambeth; in the south are the suburbs of Gipsy Hill, Streatham, West Dulwich and West Norwood. In between are the developed and inner-city districts of Brixton, Brixton Hill, Streatham Hill, Clapham, Clapham Park, Herne Hill, Stockwell, Tulse Hill and Kennington, each at different stages of gentrification with suburban and urban elements. Vauxhall and South Lambeth are central districts in the process of redevelopment with high-density business and residential property. Streatham lies between suburban London and inner-city Brixton, with the suburban and developed areas of Streatham, Streatham Hill and Streatham Vale.
The London Borough of Southwark lies to the east of the Borough of Lambeth. To the west is the London Borough of Wandsworth; to the south-west is the London Borough of Merton; and to the south is the London Borough of Croydon.

Parishes

Marsh

In 1900, Lambeth was a large, rapidly developing urban area in London (formerly Surrey), known for its diverse mix of historic buildings, working-class neighborhoods like Lower Marsh with its bustling street market, and significant residential growth, retaining some rural echoes but largely transformed by 19th-century expansion and nearing its eventual creation as a borough within the new County of London.

Key Characteristics of Lambeth in 1900

• Urban Transformation: Lambeth, once a village, had become a densely populated, largely residential suburb of London, experiencing significant redevelopment and population growth.
  • Lower Marsh: A well-established street market, operating since the early 19th century, was a central feature, stretching near The Cut.
  • Historic Mix: The area featured a blend of historic architecture, including Victorian terraces and older vernacular buildings, amidst ongoing development.
  • Walcot Estate: Developed in the early 19th century, areas like Walcot Square were part of this expanding suburban landscape.
  • County Context: While recently removed from the ancient county of Surrey (in 1889) to form part of the new County of London, Lambeth retained strong connections to its Surrey past.

What "Marsh Parish" Might Refer To:

   The term likely refers to the historical " parishes" within the larger Lambeth area, possibly Lower Marsh or areas near the river, reflecting older land divisions before modern borough structures solidified. 

In essence, Lambeth around 1900 was a vibrant, complex part of London, characterized by its mix of new urban life, enduring markets, and a blend of architectural styles, all part of its rapid evolution from rural village to a bustling metropolitan district.

Bishop's

In 1900, the "Bishop's parish" in Lambeth referred primarily to the area around Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, making it the spiritual heart for Anglicanism in London, an area then part of the historic county of Surrey but increasingly integrated into the new County of London, with the Bishop overseeing ecclesiastical life and institutions like the parish church of St Mary at Lambeth.

Key Aspects of Lambeth in 1900

   Lambeth Palace: The center of power for the Archbishop of Canterbury, a major historical and religious landmark.
   St Mary at Lambeth: The parish church, historically linked to the Palace, served as the focal point for local Anglican life, with the Archbishop often holding significant influence.
   Administrative Changes: While historically part of Surrey, the creation of the County of London in 1889 brought Lambeth under London's governance, though its deep ecclesiastical ties remained.
   Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction: The Bishop (Archbishop of Canterbury) held sway over numerous parishes, but the direct "Bishop's parish" centered on the Palace and its immediate surroundings. 

In essence, the Bishop's parish in Lambeth around 1900 was less a distinct legal entity and more a description of the area under the immediate spiritual and historical purview of the Archbishop of Canterbury, centered on the Lambeth Palace complex and its associated church

Princes

"Prince's Parish" likely refers to the historic area around Lambeth Palace, the London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, particularly connected to Edward the Black Prince, a 14th-century royal resident, while "Prince Consort Road" or "Prince's Park" are separate locations but connect to royal associations; Lambeth itself is a historic borough with significant ties to the Church and monarchy, centered around the palace, with the area evolving from medieval manors to a bustling modern London district. Key Associations & Locations:

• Lambeth Palace & Edward the Black Prince: The Archbishop's palace in Lambeth was linked to Edward the Black Prince in the 14th century, giving the area a royal connection.
• Prince Consort Road: Features the Victorian Holy Trinity church, reflecting later royal influence.
• Prince's Park: A location in Chatham (Kent, not Lambeth) with a church, but often confused in searches.

• Historical Parish: It likely refers to the ecclesiastical area associated with Lambeth Palace, once under the Archbishop's extensive control.
• General Area: A way to describe the historic part of Lambeth linked to royalty, especially near the Palace.

In essence, search for Lambeth Palace for the core historical "Prince's Parish" area, noting its significance to the Anglican Church and past royals like the Black Prince

Vauxhall

In 1900, the area known as Vauxhall was part of the ancient parish of Lambeth in Surrey, England. It also had specific ecclesiastical parish districts, such as St. Peter's and the newly established St. Anne's.

Administrative Boundaries

Administratively, 1900 was a year of transition for Vauxhall. The ancient parish boundaries of Lambeth were tidied up, with some areas being transferred to other parishes like Camberwell. Following the London Government Act 1899, in 1900 the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth was established, which incorporated the Vauxhall area, ending its status as a single "ancient parish" in a civic sense from that point onwards.

Key Developments and Features in 1900

• Churches and Parishes:
  • St. Peter's Church, Vauxhall, built in the 1860s, was an existing parish church that in 1900 turned its north aisle into a Lady Chapel.
  • The foundation stone for the present-day St. Anne's Catholic Church in Kennington Lane was laid in November 1900, opening in 1903.
  • For genealogical research, parish records for areas like Holy Trinity, Vauxhall Bridge Road, and various churches in the Vauxhall district of Liverpool, were actively being maintained around 1900.

Infrastructure

Construction of the current Vauxhall Bridge began in September 1898 and was expected to be completed in 1900, though it faced delays and officially opened in 1906.

Housing and Social Conditions

• The area near the river was characterized by poor quality housing ("slums") at the end of the 19th century.
• The Duchy of Cornwall began developing model housing on its Kennington estates (adjacent to Vauxhall) in the early 1900s as part of slum clearance and urban improvement efforts.

Industry

Vauxhall Iron Works, which began as a pump and marine engine manufacturer in 1857, was operating under that name in 1900. The company began manufacturing cars in 1903 and later became Vauxhall Motors.

In essence, 1900 was a dynamic year for Vauxhall, marked by administrative restructuring, new church construction, and ongoing urban development and industrial activity.

Brixton

Brixton is a metropolitan district in Surrey, forming a south-western suburb of London. Brixton remained largely rural until the 19th century, the area being crossed by the Roman 'London to Portslade Way' (here known as Brixton Causeway) as it climbed from the riverside marshlands up Brixton Hill, with Streatham to its south. Brixton saw large-scale suburban development throughout the 19th century as Lambeth spread southwards, especially after the opening of Regent Bridge (later Vauxhall Bridge) in 1816. Brixton was part of the ancient parish of Lambeth and from 1900-1965, for local government purposes, was part of Lambeth metropolitan borough. Lambeth Town Hall (1908), on Brixton Hill, is in Edwardian Baroque style. Sunlight Laundry (1937) is an Art Deco factory building. Ashby's Mill (1816) is a restored tower mill. Brixton has been known for it Afro-Caribbean community since many of the first immigrants on the HMT Empire Windrush (1948) from Jamaica settled in the area. The district is within the council area of Lambeth.

Stockwell

Around 1900, Stockwell was a rapidly developing suburb within the larger parish and district of Lambeth, London, transitioning from rural land to a densely populated residential area with new railways (like the City & South London Railway station opened 1890) and middle-class housing, part of the growing south London sprawl. It was known for its mix of grand estates and working-class housing, with its churches, like St Michael's, becoming central to the community as the area filled in. Key Characteristics of Stockwell Around 1900:

• Urbanization: Stockwell was a prime example of Victorian/Edwardian London's expansion, with streets laid out and dense housing built, especially after railway construction.
• Suburban Growth: It was developing into a fashionable suburb, attracting middle-class residents.
• Railway Hub: The opening of Stockwell Station (underground) in 1890 significantly increased its accessibility and growth.
• Community Life: Churches like St. Michael's (with its impressive spire and ironwork) served as local landmarks and community centers.
• Part of Lambeth: Stockwell was geographically and administratively part of Lambeth, a large borough in South London.

Historical Context

• Manorial Roots: Historically, Stockwell was a rural manor, but by the 1900s, it was thoroughly urbanized, though retaining some green spaces.
• Development Patterns: The area saw development from the 1830s, with significant railway-driven housing around Landor Road by the 1860s.

In essence, Stockwell in 1900 was a busy, growing London suburb, firmly part of Lambeth, characterized by its burgeoning residential streets and improved transport links

Hern Hill

Around 1900, Herne Hill was a developing residential area within the ancient parishes of Camberwell and Lambeth, evolving from farmland with the new railways encouraging suburban growth, with its own developing parish life centered around churches like St. Paul's, becoming part of the growing London suburb within the modern Lambeth borough, characterized by its distinct village feel and leafy streets, notes Wikipedia, The Herne Hill Society, Herne Hill Parish, and Encyclopedia Britannica.

Herne Hill's Status in 1900

• Parish History: The area was historically split between the ancient parishes of Camberwell and Lambeth, transitioning from rural to suburban.
• Development: The arrival of the railway in the 1860s spurred housing development for clerks and artisans, transforming Herne Hill.
• Lambeth Connection: By 1900, Herne Hill was firmly part of the London Borough of Lambeth, established in 1889, and known for its pleasant residential character.
• Parish Life: The Herne Hill Parish (Anglican) had its church (St. Paul's, built in the 1850s) serving this growing community, aiming to center faith in the local area.

Key Features Around 1900

• Suburban Growth: A popular residential spot with a mix of housing, attracting families and professionals.
• Brockwell Park: A significant green space, Brockwell Park, provided recreation for residents.
• Village Atmosphere: Even with London's growth, Herne Hill retained a distinct village-like feel, contrasting with busier central areas.

In essence, Herne Hill in 1900 was a thriving, leafy London suburb within the London Borough of Lambeth, characterized by its strong community focus and blend of rural remnants and Victorian/Edwardian development

Tulse Hill

Tulse Hill is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in South London that sits on Brockwell Park. It is approximately five miles (8 km) from Charing Cross and is bordered by Brixton, Dulwich, Herne Hill, Streatham and West Norwood.

The area known as Tulse Hill is part of the former Manor or Manors of Bodley, Upgroves and Scarlettes whose precise boundaries are now uncertain. The name of the area comes from the Tulse family who came into ownership of farmland in the area during the period of the Commonwealth in the 1650s. Sir Henry Tulse was Lord Mayor of London in 1683 and his daughter Elizabeth married Richard Onslow, 1st Baron Onslow. The land remained in Onslow ownership until 1789 when most of it was purchased by William Cole. The estate was further divided on Cole's death in 1807.

The western part was left to "Mercy Cressingham, spinster" (now commemorated by the Cressingham Gardens estate in the area) and the eastern part -now mostly occupied by Brockwell Park - was left to Richard Ogbourne who promptly sold it on to John Blades.

In 1810 Tulse Hill Farm was the only building in the western part of the area. The enclosure of land in the parish of Lambeth in 1811 led to the construction of Effra Road in the area immediately to the north. Together with improvements to Brixton Road by the local turnpike trust this greatly improved road communications with central London, and the value of the local landholdings.

Mercy Cressingham eventually married Dr Thomas Edwards, who took the initiative in buying extra land to make an access from Brixton Hill in 1814 and laying out two new roads, Lower Tulse Hill Road (now known simply as Tulse Hill) and Upper Tulse Hill Road (now Upper Tulse Hill), by 1821. A plan of 1821 in the RIBA Library shows a proposed speculative development of both the Edwards estate and the adjacent Blades estate with large detached villas, although only the former actually came to fruition. The new roads were adopted by the parish in 1822.

An 1832 map shows that Tulse Hill still had only a few buildings on the new roads in contrast to nearby recently developed areas in Brixton and Norwood and the longer established hamlet of Dulwich. However, by 1843, there was a continuous line of houses, predominantly detached and usually with separate coach houses along the full length of Lower Tulse Hill Road from Brixton to the top of the hill.

Development of the area to the east of this road commenced in 1845 when Trinity Rise was built to connect Upper Tulse Hill with Norwood Road. Holy Trinity Church on Trinity Rise was built in 1855-6.

Major development of the area further east did not come until the opening of the Herne Hill and Tulse Hill railway stations in the 1860s.

Most of the original villas with large gardens on the original Edwards-Cressingham landholding have been redeveloped at much higher densities for council housing since the 1930s.

Around 1900, Tulse Hill was a developing residential area within the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth, known for its pleasant environment, good transport (rail), growing infrastructure, and transition from rural farmland (named after the Tulse family) to suburbs, featuring larger houses, new roads, and amenities like Tulse Hill Station, serving families moving out from denser central London areas.

Key Aspects of Tulse Hill (Lambeth) in 1900

• Development & Housing: It was characterized by suburban development, with many new detached and semi-detached houses being built for the middle classes escaping the crowded city centre.
• Transport: The new railway station (opened 1868) was a major driver, connecting residents to central London and encouraging suburban growth, as noted in Wikipedia.
• Environment: It retained some of its open, green character, with nearby fields and proximity to Brockwell Park, making it a desirable location, according to Travelodge.
• Local Governance: Tulse Hill was part of the larger Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth, formed in 1899, marking a shift towards more organized local administration.
• Name Origin: The area's name came from the Tulse family, who owned land there since the 17th century.

In essence, 1900 was a period where Tulse Hill was solidifying its identity as a leafy, well-connected London suburb within the borough of Lambeth, offering a quieter life for commuters.

Norwood

Around 1900, Norwood was a developing suburban area in South London, historically part of the large "Great North Wood," with parts falling under the ancient parishes of Lambeth (in Surrey initially, then London County) and Croydon, known for its hilly, wooded landscape attracting wealthy commuters, though experiencing decline in grand houses post-1890. It was divided into West Norwood, South Norwood, and Upper Norwood, with areas within the Surrey portion becoming part of London.

Key Points about Norwood & Lambeth (c. 1900)

• Parish Status: Norwood wasn't a single parish but a district spread across several, primarily Lambeth and Croydon, with bits of Penge and Dulwich.
• Development: Early 19th-century development saw large villas built by City workers, transforming the wooded common, though by 1900, many grand homes were being converted or demolished.
• Boundaries: Areas in Lambeth parish were within Surrey but later part of the County of London, while Croydon parts remained in Surrey, notes Surrey in the Great War.
• Divisions: The area was known as Upper, West, and South Norwood, with West Norwood historically called Lower Norwood.
• Character: Described as hilly, wooded, and healthy, but declining in grandeur after its boom, according to the University of Greenwich.

In essence, Norwood around 1900 was a transitional area, transitioning from rural common to suburban London, with its administrative ties partly under Lambeth Parish and partly in Surrey

Landmarks

Along and around the South Bank, a tourist area has developed around the former Greater London Council headquarters of County Hall and the Southbank Centre and National Theatre. Also on the river is the London Eye and Shell Centre. Nearby is St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace and the Florence Nightingale Museum. Nearby is Brixton, home of Lambeth Town Hall and the Brixton Murals.

• Old Paradise Gardens

• Sunlight Laundry

Landmark church buildings Include

• St Mary Lambeth (now the Garden Museum)
• The four "Waterloo Churches" in the former Lambeth Parish:
• St Matthew, Brixton
• St Mark, Kennington
• St Luke, West Norwood
• St John, Waterloo
• St Oswald's Parish Church, Norbury
• Holy Trinity, Clapham
• St Leonard, Streatham
• Christ Church, Streatham Hill
• Christ Church (Church of England), Brixton Road, North Brixton
• All Saints' Church, West Dulwich (Church of England)
• Holy Trinity, Trinity Rise, Tulse Hill
• St John the Divine (Church of England), Vassall Road

Bridges and tunnels

• Waterloo Bridge, incorporating the NFT
• Hungerford Bridge and its two pedestrian spans, the Golden Jubilee Bridges
• Lambeth Bridge
• Westminster Bridge
• Vauxhall Bridge

Railway stations

• Brixton
• Gipsy Hill
• Herne Hill
• Loughborough Junction
• Streatham
• Streatham Common
• Streatham Hill
• Tulse Hill
• Vauxhall
• Waterloo
• Waterloo East
• West Norwood

Resident Kindred

• Lambeth Clique

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