Downing Street

No 10 Downing Street

The hub of British govermance has gone through the ups and downs of life to become a synonym for the main seat of political power in Great Britain. Even before it became 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 [2].

Downing's Street

Sir George Downing (c. 1624-84) was a diplomat under Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658, general and politician who who for a short time ruled England, Scotland and Ireland)and Charles II Downing Street 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 became 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 land speculation. He wanted to get hold of land around Hampden House since it was 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].

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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.