3-011-410 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Charing-Cross", from a picture by Canaletto, 1864. Engraving of a painting showing Northumberland House in London. 'The site of [the stone cross erected to Eleanor, Queen of Edward I] is now occupied by Hubert le Soeur's fine equestrian statue of Charles I...At the Restoration it was produced and set up at the expense of Government. To the north of the statue were the King's Mews, and at the end of St. Martin's-lane a number of picturesque houses and shops, the latter being the quarter of the workers in leather - saddlers, curriers, and shoemakers. Previous to the Paving Act there was a curious assemblage of signs projecting far into the street, among which that of the Golden Cross was conspicuous. Before the erection of Northumberland House its site was occupied by the Chapel of St. Mary of Rounceval...Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, [later] built here a house, then called Northampton House...By the marriage of Algernon Percy, Earl of Northumberland, with Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of Suffolk, it passed to the house of Percy, and has continued to be the London residence of that noble family.' It was demolished in 1874. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.