A proclamation ‘Against New buildings’ being built in Windmill Fields, Dog Fields, and areas near Soho in London and elsewhere without royal permission, 1671. Catalogue ref: SP 45/12 Pt 1 f286.
This comes from the collected charters of Charles II. The Proclamation reveals that London still felt the impact of losses caused by the fire in terms of housing and industry.
- Why did Charles II publish this proclamation?
- What does it suggest about the role of Charles II in government?
- How does this proclamation relate to the plans made by Charles II to control building in London after the fire seen in this collection?
Transcript
By the King.
A PROCLAMATION
Against NEW BUILDINGS
CHARLES R.
Whereas in the fields commonly called the Wind-Mill-Fields, Dog-fields, and the fields adjoining to Soho, and several other places in and about the Suburbs of London and Westminster, divers small and mean habitations and Cottages have been lately Erected upon new foundations, and more of that kind are daily preparing, not only without any Grant or Allowance from his Majesty, but some of them against His Majesty’s Express Command, signified by His Surveyor-General; Which kind of buildings are likely to prove common and public nuisances, by being made use of for the most noisome and offensive Trades and by becoming the Receptacles of a multitude of Poor, to the Damage of these Parishes, already too much Incumbered, and by rendering the Government of those parts more Unmanageable, But especially by choaking up the Air of his Majesty’s Palaces and Parks, and endangering the infection, if not the total loss of those waters, which by many expencefull Drains and Conduits, are conveyed from whole fields to his Majesty’s Palace at Whitehall, Whereof some Decay is already perceived by His Majesties Sergeant Plummer and more is daily feared. Therefore, for the prevention of such growing Mischiefs, whereby his Majesties Palaces may be greatly annoyed, the houses of the Nobility and Gentry very much offended, the Parishes Over-charged, the perfecting of the City buildings very much hindered and the health both of City and Suburbs exceedingly endangered; his Majesty by Advice of his Privy Council, hath thought fit to publish this his Royal Proclamation and doth hereby Straightly Charge and Command all manner of persons whom it doth or may concern, That they forbear to Create, or cause to be Erected any more new buildings in the Suburbs of London or Westminster, or to finish any Buildings in the said Suburbs already begun without his Majesty’s Licence in that behalf under his Great Seal first had and obtained. To the end, that if anymore new buildings be thought fit by his Majesty to be carried on, they may be built firmly and regularly, according to such design and order as may best suit with the public benefit and convenience, as they will answer the contrary at their perils. And if any shall presume to offend against his Majesty’s Royal Command herein Declared, his majesty will cause such Buildings to be Abased [demolished] and Thrown down, and the Persons of such Offenders to be Arrested and Seized, and further proceeded against according to the utmost Rigour and Severity of Law.
Given at our Court at Whitehall, the Seventh day of April, 1671
GOD SAVE THE KING
In the SAVOY,
Printers by the Assigns of John Bill and Christopher Barker, Printers to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty, 1671
Simplified transcript
By the King.
A proclamation against new buildings.
CHARLES R.
Since the Great Fire, there has been many new habitations and cottages built without the permission of the King, in places including Wind-Mill-Fields, Dog-Fields, and fields next to Soho. These buildings will be disruptive, noisy, and offensive, lived in by poor people and being used for noisy and offensive trades. We fear infection in these areas and the overpopulation of these areas in London. To prevent this becoming more of an issue, the King commands that no more buildings should be put up in the suburbs identified, without an explicit license from the king. If any buildings are permitted by the king to be erected, they should be built in an orderly and regular way, to public good. If any person does not obey this proclamation, they will be arrested and punished.