History: The Building of Bankend

The date-stone at the back of Bankend farmhouse is 1687. However, the building of Bankend cottage pre-dates the main farm house by some 30-40 years. We know this by the distinctive stone spiral staircase which was built at a time of deforestation when wood was not available locally as a result of extensive English wars. These caused a widespread shortage of timber supplies because of the need to build battleships. The 'new' farm house is built around the cottage staircase, and the curve of the wall can be seen in the kitchen. To put the time of building into an historical context, I have made a short summary of the period.

1647 - Charles 1 was handed to the English Roundheads by the Scots for £400.

1648 - The 2nd English Civil War begins. Scots invade England under King James. Nitric acid is invented.

1649 - Charles 1 is beheaded. Parliament gives Richmond Park to the City of London. The English starve the Irish for the next 10 years during the Potato Famine.

1650 - Charles 2 is crowned King at Scone in Scotland. William 2 of Orange dies of smallpox. England has a typhus epidemic. English population estimated at 5.6 million.

1651 Charles 2 escapes to France disguised as a female servant.

1652 Demand for slave labour grows due to the coffee demand in London and hence an increase in sugar demands.

1653 Cromwell is proclaimed 'Lord Protector' in the Rump Parliament.

1654 The thermometer is invented.

1656 England and Spain go to war.

1657 Public sale of tea in London.

1658 Oliver Cromwell dies. Deforestation of England and the Continent spurs
the use of coal for fuel.

1660 English civil war ends.

1687 King James II disbands the English Parliament. Isaac Newton publishes his 'Principia' and Bankend farm house is built.