The name Battersea (in medieval times Batricheseie, Batricesege or variants) is thought to relate to the gravel area next to the Thames where the church, manor house, and arable field were. Soon after the conquest, William the Conqueror gave it to Westminster Abbey, but until 1066 the manor of Battersea was the crown's property. It became central to supporting the monks at the Abbey.
In 1540, when the dissolution of the monasteries took place, the manor reverted to crown ownership and was eventually purchased by the St John family. Towards the end of the eighteenth century it became property of the Spencer family, and remains their property to this day.
Battersea was well known for the supply of vegetables, fruit and flowers to the London markets from the early seventeenth to the early nineteenth century, in addition to supplying plants to the colonies in America. The village nucleus itself was by the river, near the parish church, with various industries along the riverside.
The construction of railways in Victorian England resulted in a population increase from 6,617 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901, at which time it was a Metropolitan Borough. A lot of open land was taken by four railway companies, and riverside areas were replaced by new industries, including Prices Candles, Morgan's Crucible works, Garton's Glucose factory, flour mills, breweries and the Nine Elms Gas Works. It was then decided that Battersea Park should be created just in time to save Thames-side Battersea from being totally overwhelmed by industry.
Better quality suburban housing was built along Battersea Rise and beyond after 1870. Nevertheless, conditions in the north of the parish remained impoverished. Until the Second World War bombing which destroyed much of the riverside property, Battersea remained relatively unchanged for more than 50 years.
A large part of this area was rebuilt after the Second World War, in a vast municipal rebuilding plan. At the same time, riverside industry to the west of Albert Bridge began to close down or relocate, and housing took its place - mostly high rise apartment developments, such as the Trade Tower on Plantation Wharf, targeted at young professionals working in London.
The Royal College of Art's continually expanding presence in Battersea has helped to encourage newer media and fashion based industries to move to the area, and the redevelopment of the long derelict Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms (where the new United States Embassy will be based), has resulted in the property prices there catching up with those in the neighbouring areas of Kensington and Chelsea.
Deprivation still exists in a number of estates such as Winstanley, Doddington and Patmore, along with an increasing demand for cheaper social housing, especially for families. However, there is little indication that this demand will be fulfilled any time soon. With the opening of the over ground line from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays, transport links have improved, and the station is gradually being refurbished. There remains a great deal to do, although there are many signs that positive change is forthcoming in the future.
In 1540, when the dissolution of the monasteries took place, the manor reverted to crown ownership and was eventually purchased by the St John family. Towards the end of the eighteenth century it became property of the Spencer family, and remains their property to this day.
Battersea was well known for the supply of vegetables, fruit and flowers to the London markets from the early seventeenth to the early nineteenth century, in addition to supplying plants to the colonies in America. The village nucleus itself was by the river, near the parish church, with various industries along the riverside.
The construction of railways in Victorian England resulted in a population increase from 6,617 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901, at which time it was a Metropolitan Borough. A lot of open land was taken by four railway companies, and riverside areas were replaced by new industries, including Prices Candles, Morgan's Crucible works, Garton's Glucose factory, flour mills, breweries and the Nine Elms Gas Works. It was then decided that Battersea Park should be created just in time to save Thames-side Battersea from being totally overwhelmed by industry.
Better quality suburban housing was built along Battersea Rise and beyond after 1870. Nevertheless, conditions in the north of the parish remained impoverished. Until the Second World War bombing which destroyed much of the riverside property, Battersea remained relatively unchanged for more than 50 years.
A large part of this area was rebuilt after the Second World War, in a vast municipal rebuilding plan. At the same time, riverside industry to the west of Albert Bridge began to close down or relocate, and housing took its place - mostly high rise apartment developments, such as the Trade Tower on Plantation Wharf, targeted at young professionals working in London.
The Royal College of Art's continually expanding presence in Battersea has helped to encourage newer media and fashion based industries to move to the area, and the redevelopment of the long derelict Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms (where the new United States Embassy will be based), has resulted in the property prices there catching up with those in the neighbouring areas of Kensington and Chelsea.
Deprivation still exists in a number of estates such as Winstanley, Doddington and Patmore, along with an increasing demand for cheaper social housing, especially for families. However, there is little indication that this demand will be fulfilled any time soon. With the opening of the over ground line from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays, transport links have improved, and the station is gradually being refurbished. There remains a great deal to do, although there are many signs that positive change is forthcoming in the future.
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