Some history on St. Marylebone in London

London | St. Marylebone

Column-2

© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

This Edwardian image shows a relatively safe place to ride a bicycle. Not these days as there is a constant stream of traffic on six lanes of busy traffic on Marylebone Road. And yet many people fail to realise what has happened to our cities in recent times. Enlarged from the original chapel-of-ease design by Thomas Hardwick, the Parish Church was consecrated in February 1817.¹ A second ceremony was performed on the last day of January in 1885 after the building underwent extensive alterations, principally within the interior. The front of the exterior remained fairly unaltered. At the end of the nave a semi-circular apse was added, together with a new clergy, vestry, and a strong room. The old two tiers of galleries were swept away in the re-modelling.²

© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

A horse-drawn omnibus is transporting patrons to or from Madame Tussaud's on Marylebone Road, the home of this tourist attraction since July 1884 when it was moved from the former location in Baker Street. The new building was constructed in the Italian style from the designs of Mr. Hunt, the architect to the Portman Estate. The frontage measured over four hundred feet. The entrance hall was described as magnificent. Costing around £20,000, the materials for this part of the building were originally intended for Baron Grant's mansion at South Kensington, but were acquired by the museum on the sale of Kensington House. The slabs of the staircase were of the finest mosaic, and the walls of Siennese marble.³

© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

This photograph was taken not long after the Royal Academy of Music moved into this building in 1911. The institution had for a century been in Tenterden Street. Erected on the site of the old Charity School for Girls, the foundation stone of this building was laid by Lord Strathcona. The new building consisted of a central block, with two wings, that on the right-hand side containing the concert hall. This was fitted with an organ by Messrs. Norman and Beard, being in the gift of Mrs. Threlfall. On the ground floor of the new building was the rooms of the Principal, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, whilst the upper floors were to be occupied by the class-rooms, library, and examination rooms.⁴

Column-3

Column-4

"James Brown, a young man having only one leg and going upon crutches, was charged with a violent assault upon his wife, Letitia Brown. The prosecutrix, whose head was bound up, said the prisoner had been married to her for two years. He had been a fireman on the Metropolitan Railway. Some time ago he hurt his right leg, and the injury became so serious that he had to have it amputated. He was not able to do any work, and she had been keeping him by her work, and by selling off some of her goods. She had been married before, when her first husband died she was possessed of a little property. Prisoner had a very bad temper, and could not govern it. She had put up with it, attributing it to his injury. She had led a most uncomfortable life with him ever since their marriage. Three times she had been in the hospital through his ill-usage. The previous morning she gave him two shillings; in fact, she never did keep him without money. In the evening she was mending some stockings, and as he was lying on the bed she asked him for a penny. This he declined to give, and she went to take one from his pocket, when he knocked her down, and then took up the poker and struck her a heavy blow on the back of the head with it, causing a severe wound. A policeman came, and she gave prisoner into custody. Mr. D'Eyncourt sentenced the prisoner to six weeks' imprisonment."
"Assault On A Wife"
Weekly Dispatch : September 4th 1870 Page 11

"Howard Robinson, 31, artist, Riding House Street, Marylebone, and Frederick Drummond Niblett, 31, artist, Langham Chambers, Portland Place, were charged on remand, before Mr. Hannay, with having assaulted Edwin Henry Forster, a restaurant-keeper, of 37, Great Portland Street, by striking him in the face with their fists. Mr. Treeve Edgcombe, barrister, prosecuted, and Mr. Bernard Abrahams, solicitor, appeared for the defence. The prosecutor, who had one arm in a sling and whose nose had a plaster upon it, stated that on the 13th inst. the prisoners came into his shop. Niblett asked him [Forster] to have something to drink, and he [the prosecutor] went and fetched some refreshments. On his return, owing to what his wife told him, he ejected the prisoners, and on his doing so Niblett struck him a violent blow on the nose with his fist, and Robinson joined in the fight. Mrs. Forster, the wife of the prosecutor, stated that Niblett interfered with the customers, used bad language in the shop, and went into the kitchen and tried to take liberties with the servant. It was suggested that an arrangement should be come to between the parties, but after a consultation it fell through, it being mentioned that the prosecutor had refused £5. Among the witnesses for the prosecution was a lady, and Mr. Treeve Edgcombe said she would prefer not to have her name and address mentioned in open court. Mr. Hannay: Why not? Mr. Treeve Edgcombe. She would prefer not. She can write them on a piece of paper for you to see, sir. Mr. Hannay: If people come into a public court they should, unless there were very grave reasons to the contrary, give their names and addressee. I strongly object to their being withheld. The lady must give her name and address. The witness then in a low tone said her name was Mrs. Helen Underwood, and that she lived in Margaret Street, Cavendish Square. Her evidence, however, was not very material to the case. Mr. Abrahams, in defence, contended that there was no evidence against Robinson. As to Niblett he regretted very much what had taken place, and had offered compensation, which had been refused. Mr. Hannay discharged Robinson, and fined Niblett £5, with the alternative of 21 days' imprisonment."
"Scene In A Marylebone Restaurant"
Marylebone Mercury : January 24th 1896 Page 6

---

References
1. "London" : Saint James's Chronicle; February 8th, 1817. p.1.
2. "Consecration Of St. Marylebone Church" : Globe; February 2nd, 1885. p.2.
3. "Madame Tussaud's" : Illustrated Police News; July 19th, 1884. p.4.
4. "The Royal Academy Of Music" : Midland Counties Express; July 23rd, 1910. p.16.

---