A study in Charlton House with informative wall charts
Three hundred years ago John Evelyn, the diarist, described the prospect from Charlton House as "one of the most noble in the world, for city, river, ships, meadows, hill, woods and all other amenities."
The growth of industry on both sides of the river and the building of flats nearer to the House, have changed the view; but in the road through Charlton Village, in Charlton House and in Charlton Church, the imaginative visitor can capture something of an earlier age, and recognise one of London's villages.
Jacobean architecture at its best
No imagination is required to see in Charlton House one of the finest specimens of Jacobean domestic architecture in the country. It illustrates a phase in the evolution of the English country house, linking the sprawling style of the Tudor age with the compact geometrical character associated with Inigo Jones.
Charlton House was built between 1607 and 1612 by Adam Newton, Dean of Durham. Newton was tutor to Prince Henry, son of James I. Evelyn, who was well acquainted with Newton's son, stated that the House was built for Prince Henry; Newton, however, ceased to be the Prince's tutor in 1610; the Prince died in 1612 at the age of eighteen, so that it is unlikely that the house was at any time a royal residence. Newton probably intended it to be what it became, a "nest for his old age".
The architect of Charlton House is unknown. The most likely attribution is to John Thorpe, The garden-house, or orangery, which Greenwich has turned into a public convenience, is attributed to Inigo Jones. Nearby is one of the first Mulberry Trees to be planted in England.
Stately mansion
Newton died in 1629-30, and was buried at Charlton Church, where his monument in black and white marble can be seen. The estate passed to his son, Sir Henry Newton, who, as a Royalist, had to leave Charlton on the outbreak of the Civil War. He fought gallantly for the King at Edgehill, and subsequently distinguished himself as a "generous benefactor to the poor cavaliers whose services were not rewarded by King Charles II".
In 1658 the estate was purchased by Sir William Ducie, afterwards Viscount Downe, who made additions to the House, and lived in it in some state. On his death, in 1679, it was acquired by Sir William Langhorne, a wealthy East India merchant, from whom it passed successively to a nephew, Sir John Conyers (died 1719), the latter's son, Sir Baldwin Conyers (died 1731), William Langhorne Games, Margaret Maryon, Rev. John Maryon rector of White Roding (died 1760), and to Margaret Maria Weller (died 1777).
On Margaret Weller's death the property passed to her daughter, Jane, wife of Sir Thomas Spencer Wilson. One of the daughters of this marriage married Spencer Perceval, the Prime Minister, who was assassinated in the House of Commons. He was buried in Charlton Church.
Serving the public
Late in the 18th century, the domestic buildings south of the House were added. When Jane Wilson died, the House came to her son, Sir Thomas Maryon-Wilson, and thereafter descended in a direct line to Sir Spencer Maryon-Wilson, from whom it was bought by the Council.
During the First World War, Charlton House became a hospital, and was not again used as a residence. In 1925 the Greenwich Borough Council purchased the house and grounds. Part of the estate was utilised as a public park; part was taken over by the London County Council to form a playing field and athletic track. The House itself was used as a museum, and was extended to the south to provide a public library.
The north wing of the House was destroyed towards the end of the Second World War, but has been completely and carefully restored. Since its restoration it has been used as a Community Centre for local societies and educational and recreational classes.
Architectural highlights
Charlton House was built on the edge of the village green and the grounds were entered through a classic archway which still survives. The House is built of the red brick characteristic of the period, relieved with white stone quoins and dressings. Its shape is that of a shallow H, an oblong with slightly-projecting cross-pieces at each end. Externally, the chief features are the richly decorated porch which stands in a bay projecting from the middle of the west front, and the sundial. Internally the House is remarkable for the plaster-work of the ceilings, the numerous interesting chimney-pieces and the staircase.
Porch
The porch admits to the Hall, which extends the full width of the house. It is a beautifully proportioned room, two storeys high and panelled for half of its height. At the west end is a gallery; the two round-arched doorways leading to the north wing; and the design of flat strap-work on the ceiling are noteworthy.
Grand Salon
Above the Hall, identical in area, is the Grand Salon. Here the ceiling is enriched by pendants at some of the intersections, with a larger pendant in the centre. In the west bay can be seen the initials J.R. (James I) and other royal devices, including the royal Stuart arms. Balancing this treatment, the east bay shows the Prince of Wales' feathers, the Garter and the motto "Ich dien".
The marble fireplace is flanked by the figures of Vulcan and Venus. Adjoining the Grand Salon are the Dutch Room and the White Room. The ceiling of the Dutch Room is panelled, and the frieze is modelled with foliage, fruit and jewels. The chimney-piece is of black marble. The White Room on the other side of the Grand Salon has an interesting fireplace and overmantel. The frieze above the fireplace has two subjects, the triumph of Christ and the triumph of Death (riding the pale horse). The figures in the three projections represent Piety, Mercy and Peace. The oval panel in the centre of the overmantel shows Perseus with the head of Medusa and Pegasus.
The White Room leads into the Long Gallery, seventy feet long. The frieze bears a design of conventional foliage, dogs and masks, and the bold strap work of the ceiling is varied with three lozenge-shaped panels.
Staircase
The principal Staircase is original, with a rectangular well, and a heavily moulded hand-rail and balustrade. On the ground floor, each of the doorways to the Chapel and dining room bears twelve panels and at their heads have the crests of Newton (a boar's head) and Puckering (a stag).
To the south-east of the house are two walled gardens, and a recent formal vista.
More information
More detailed accounts of Charlton House are to be found in "An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in London, Vol V, East London (Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England 1930)"; in "English Homes, Vol. I, Period III" by H. Avray Tipping (Country Life, 1929), and in an excellent monograph "Charlton House", by A.R. Martin (Blackheath Press, 1929).