Downing Street: Difference between revisions
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
==No 10 Downing Street== | ==No 10 Downing Street== | ||
The hub of British govermance has gone through the ups and downs of life to become the synonym for the main seat of political power in Great Britain. Even before it was the official residence of the Prime Minister (PM)in the 1730s, it was a playground of politics. No 10 is the official home of the PM and his family and is located in Westminster, London. Next door neighbour (No 11) is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Since two of the most important people of Great Britain live in Downing Street, it is maybe the most secure street in England today. | The hub of British govermance has gone through the ups and downs of life to become the synonym for the main seat of political power in Great Britain. Even before it was the official residence of the Prime Minister (PM)in the 1730s, it was a playground of politics. No 10 is the official home of the PM and his family and is located in Westminster, London. Next door neighbour (No 11) is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Since two of the most important people of Great Britain live in Downing Street, it is maybe the most secure street in England today. King George II intended to give it to Sir Robert Walpole (1717–97), since Walpole's office and the parliament had taken over legislative and execuitive power from the monarch. The state affairs needed suitable represenation. However Walpole reused the gift. Instead he asked the king make it available for the suceeding Lords of The Treasury as residence and office [2]. Walpole was a Whig and Britain’s first prime minister, altough his actual title still was First Lords of the Treasure (1715–17 and 1721–42). Walpole's dominance and his reforms ensured a certain political stability and economical sucess. Although hehimself was accused of dishonest behaviour in government since he favoured followers with estates and high positions [5]. Walpole employed the famous architect William Kent the reconstruct the building. Kent style was according to the age grand, classical design inspired by Roman buildings to make it representative. The House on Downing Street and the Horse Guard House were joined together and the interior of the new building rearranged and refurbished. The largest, Walpoles study room is now the Cabinet Room. The Terracotta Room was once Walpole's dining room and the White Drawing Room Lady Walpole's sitting room. Later on several alterations were made accoring to trends and living standards. Although the location of the office of the PM has a long history the present building is a quite different one [2, 3].--[[User:Karsten|Karsten]] 16:15, 25 May 2010 (UTC) | ||
===Downing's Street=== | ===Downing's Street=== | ||
Downing Street was named after the original developer of the site, Sir George Downing (c.1624–84), a diplomat under both Oliver Cromwell and Charles II (king of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660–85)at the time of the English Civil war. The "perfidious rogue" was brought up in New England and was one of the first graduants of Harvard University. When he came to England his dubious qualities were needed in the English Civil War. Thus he rose to Cromwell's Scoutsmaster General (chief of the intelligence)in 1650 and 1657 British Ambassador to The Hague, where he worked against the exiled royal family. But with the death of Cromwell he betrayed his former allies and turned toward the crown and Charles II. Downing tried to get rich via property speculation and tried to get hold of land around Hampden House, near to Westminster. In 1654 he acquired the Crown interest in the land, but it was still in the possession of the descents of Knyvet. In 1682 he finally got hold of the land pulled down the existing buildings and built 15 or 20 terraced houses. Since he aimed for profit this houses were cheaply constructed houses. The houses had only a fake brick facades made of mortar and were completely differnt from todays. Even the numbers were different. Today's No 10 was originally No 5 [2]. No 10, Downing Street stands next to the garden of Hamden House [3]. | Downing Street was named after the original developer of the site, Sir George Downing (c.1624–84), a diplomat under both Oliver Cromwell and Charles II (king of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660–85)at the time of the English Civil war. The "perfidious rogue" was brought up in New England and was one of the first graduants of Harvard University. When he came to England his dubious qualities were needed in the English Civil War. Thus he rose to Cromwell's Scoutsmaster General (chief of the intelligence)in 1650 and 1657 British Ambassador to The Hague, where he worked against the exiled royal family. But with the death of Cromwell he betrayed his former allies and turned toward the crown and Charles II. Downing tried to get rich via property speculation and tried to get hold of land around Hampden House, near to Westminster. In 1654 he acquired the Crown interest in the land, but it was still in the possession of the descents of Knyvet. In 1682 he finally got hold of the land pulled down the existing buildings and built 15 or 20 terraced houses. Since he aimed for profit this houses were cheaply constructed houses. The houses had only a fake brick facades made of mortar and were completely differnt from todays. Even the numbers were different. Today's No 10 was originally No 5 [2]. No 10, Downing Street stands next to the garden of Hamden House [3]. --[[User:Karsten|Karsten]] 16:15, 25 May 2010 (UTC) | ||
===The History of the House=== | ===The History of the House=== | ||
Revision as of 16:40, 25 May 2010
No 10 Downing Street
The hub of British govermance has gone through the ups and downs of life to become the synonym for the main seat of political power in Great Britain. Even before it was the official residence of the Prime Minister (PM)in the 1730s, it was a playground of politics. No 10 is the official home of the PM and his family and is located in Westminster, London. Next door neighbour (No 11) is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Since two of the most important people of Great Britain live in Downing Street, it is maybe the most secure street in England today. King George II intended to give it to Sir Robert Walpole (1717–97), since Walpole's office and the parliament had taken over legislative and execuitive power from the monarch. The state affairs needed suitable represenation. However Walpole reused the gift. Instead he asked the king make it available for the suceeding Lords of The Treasury as residence and office [2]. Walpole was a Whig and Britain’s first prime minister, altough his actual title still was First Lords of the Treasure (1715–17 and 1721–42). Walpole's dominance and his reforms ensured a certain political stability and economical sucess. Although hehimself was accused of dishonest behaviour in government since he favoured followers with estates and high positions [5]. Walpole employed the famous architect William Kent the reconstruct the building. Kent style was according to the age grand, classical design inspired by Roman buildings to make it representative. The House on Downing Street and the Horse Guard House were joined together and the interior of the new building rearranged and refurbished. The largest, Walpoles study room is now the Cabinet Room. The Terracotta Room was once Walpole's dining room and the White Drawing Room Lady Walpole's sitting room. Later on several alterations were made accoring to trends and living standards. Although the location of the office of the PM has a long history the present building is a quite different one [2, 3].--Karsten 16:15, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
Downing's Street
Downing Street was named after the original developer of the site, Sir George Downing (c.1624–84), a diplomat under both Oliver Cromwell and Charles II (king of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660–85)at the time of the English Civil war. The "perfidious rogue" was brought up in New England and was one of the first graduants of Harvard University. When he came to England his dubious qualities were needed in the English Civil War. Thus he rose to Cromwell's Scoutsmaster General (chief of the intelligence)in 1650 and 1657 British Ambassador to The Hague, where he worked against the exiled royal family. But with the death of Cromwell he betrayed his former allies and turned toward the crown and Charles II. Downing tried to get rich via property speculation and tried to get hold of land around Hampden House, near to Westminster. In 1654 he acquired the Crown interest in the land, but it was still in the possession of the descents of Knyvet. In 1682 he finally got hold of the land pulled down the existing buildings and built 15 or 20 terraced houses. Since he aimed for profit this houses were cheaply constructed houses. The houses had only a fake brick facades made of mortar and were completely differnt from todays. Even the numbers were different. Today's No 10 was originally No 5 [2]. No 10, Downing Street stands next to the garden of Hamden House [3]. --Karsten 16:15, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
The History of the House
kolonialzeit liefen fäden aus ganz welt zusammen in eigenen secretaires 3
References and Further Reading
References
[1] “List of all British Prime Ministers since 1721”. Guardian. 24 May 2010 [<<http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/may/12/british-prime-ministers-listedspreadsheet# data>>]
[2] “History of the Building”. Number10. 24.04.2010. [<<http://www.number10.gov.uk/history-and-tour/history-of-the-building>>]
[3] "No. 10 Downing Street." Ed. Cox, Montague H. and G. Topham Forrest. "ChapterSurvey of London: volume 14 - St Margaret, Westminster, part III: Whitehall II. 1931: 113-141. 24 May 2010. [<<http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=748>>]
[4] “David Cameron”. Conseravtives. 24.05.2010 [<<http://www.conservatives.com/people/david_cameron.aspx>>]
[5] Maurer, Michael. Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stutgart: Reclam, 2007: 259-265, 270f, 277, 281f, 287-289, 446-459.