Brooke House
BROOKE HOUSE (King’s Place)
Stood on this site
From late 15th century - 1955.
Owned by Henry VIII, 1535-47.
Fulke Greville (Lord Brooke)
Poet and courtier lived here 1609-1628.
(Community College, Kenninghall Road)
Located at the corner of Lower Clapton Road and Kenninghall Road is the site of Brooke House. The earliest recorded house on the site was in 1409. It was practically rebuilt in 1560 by Lord Hunsdon. During the 16th century the house was held by amongst others, Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII. In July 1536 the house was the scene of a reconciliation between Henry VIII and his daughter Mary. The King and Queen (Jane Seymour) met Mary who had not spoken to her father in 5 years and she remained in the house with her father for several days.
The house was originally called King’s Place, but became known as Brookes House from about 1621, the year in which the Greville family, Barons Brooke of Beauchamps Court inherited it.
From 1759 to 1940 the house was used as a private mental asylum, and it was during this period that more alterations to the building were made. Bombing during October 1940 damaged the house and Hackney Borough Council acquired it in 1944. It was decided that the house whilst not irreparable should be carefully recorded and demolished. This took place in 1954-5 and provided an opportunity for a thorough archaeological investigation, at which point the house’s historical significance was realised.
The loss of Brooke House is arguably the saddest loss to Hackney’s built heritage.
Page updated: 28 Feb 2007