Forum Topic

Duelling

we all know that Putney Common was a favourite place for a spot of duelling but did you know that in 1829 the Prime Minister the Duke of Wellington fought a duel on Battersea Fields over the founding of King's College London? His opponent arrived late as the coachmen drove the Earl to Putney Bridge instead of Battersea Bridge, no blood was shed but honour was satisfied!https://kingscollections.org/exhibitions/archives/wellington/duel/duel

Adam Tripp ● 2296d5 Comments

If he was heading to Putney why would his coachman going to Putney Bridge instead of Battersea Bridge have made him late ?

Mark Derry ● 2296d

I just love the history of Putney!

Sue Hammond ● 2296d

And you can't go and see the site of the duel, because it is probably some feet below ground now, as the low-lying Battersea Fields were 'improved' thanks to the Royal Victoria Docks being excavated on the Plaistow Marshes. "The soil from the dock area was transported up the Thames and used to consolidate the marshy land of Battersea Park, which was opened in 1859." http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConGallery.45/Building-the-docks.html

David Ainsworth ● 2296d

you are quite right :)

Adam Tripp ● 2296d

Wasn't it Putney Heath rather than Putney Common? Pitt, Canning, Castlereagh all fought duels there and had breakfast in the Green Man afterwards.

Caroline Whitehead ● 2296d