The Kensington District

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21643

Title

The Kensington District

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Sir Walter Besant, this volume explores the history and character of Kensington, blending local lore with detailed perambulations of its streets, squares, and gardens. It traces the district's evolution from royal retreats and aristocratic homes to its modern identity, highlighting famous residents and enduring landmarks.

Summary up to 500 words

G. E. Mitton's 'The Kensington District,' edited by Sir Walter Besant, offers a comprehensive survey of the Kensington borough, blending historical depth with a vivid perambulation of its streets. The text clarifies that while popular perception limits Kensington to a small area near High Street, the borough is actually vast, stretching from Kensal Green in the north to Brompton Cemetery in the south, shaped somewhat like a boot. The narrative traces the district's obscure origins, linking the name to the Saxon tribe of the Kensings, and details its complex feudal history involving the de Vere earls, the Abbot of Westminster, and the separation of various manors like Knotting Barnes. The heart of the district is Kensington Square, once a fashionable hub for maids of honour and bishops, and Young Street, the long-time home of William Makepeace Thackeray. Mitton vividly recounts Thackeray's life there, his literary triumphs with 'Vanity Fair' and 'Pendennis,' and his personal sorrows, noting how he found congenial work and friendship despite domestic tragedy. The book also explores Kensington Palace, originally built by Sir Christopher Wren for William III, and the subsequent residences of Queen Anne and the Hanoverian sovereigns. It describes the palace's architecture, the Orangery, and the public accessibility of the Gardens. Further exploration covers the southern parts, including the cemeteries at Kensal Green and Brompton, the Grand Junction Canal, and diverse religious institutions such as St. Mary Abbots and the Convent of the Assumption. The narrative highlights the lives of other notable figures like Sir Isaac Newton, who sought health in the fresh air, and Robert Browning. The text concludes by reflecting on Kensington's status as a 'royal among suburbs,' celebrating its wealth of historical associations, literary connections, and architectural heritage that successfully connects the past with the present.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Travel
• London