Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

The Queens House
Hob Uid: 1105551
Location : Greater London Authority Tower Hamlets Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ3352580524
Summary : The Queen's House is a black and white timber-framed building home to the Resident Governor and his offices. It was built in approximately 1540 and was known as the Lieutenant's Lodging. It has late 17th and 18th century additions and alterations and is of an L-shaped plan with 3 storeys and an attic. Many high-ranking prisoners were held here and in 1605 Guy Fawkes was interrogated during his torture. A second floor early 17th century chamber containing an elaborate memorial tablet of 1608 commemorates the defeat of the Gunpowder Plot. The house has access to the inner curtain wall and the Bell Tower via mural passages. The basement of the south range has medieval masonry associated with the constable's lodgings built between 1361 and 1366. In 1607 William Waad, the Lieutenant of the time, created the Council Chamber by inserting a floor into the great hall and removing some of the roof timbers. Further work was undertaken in 1663-4 in the angle of the Queen's House creating further space for the Lieutenant and his secretary which subsequent alterations have obliterated. The building was used in May 1941 to detain Rudolf Hess, Hitler's deputy.
More information :

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 49,50,58,59,61,80,117
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 421
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 2, 1976

Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 65-74
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1366
Monument Start Date : 1361
Monument Type : House
Evidence : Demolished Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : built c.1540
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 1540
Monument Type : Official Residence
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Early C17
Monument End Date : 1632
Monument Start Date : 1600
Monument Type : Prison
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Altered 1607
Monument End Date : 1607
Monument Start Date : 1607
Monument Type : Official Residence
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Altered 1663-4
Monument End Date : 1664
Monument Start Date : 1663
Monument Type : Official Residence
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Altered late C17 and early C18
Monument End Date : 1732
Monument Start Date : 1666
Monument Type : Official Residence
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1941
Monument Start Date : 1941
Monument Type : Prison
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 38 SW 1529
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1957-01-01
End Date : 1957-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2004-01-01
End Date : 2004-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2013-01-01
End Date : 2013-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2015-01-01
End Date : 2015-12-31

Historic England Research Records

The Queens House