Plaque

John Dryden attacked

Inscription

On the 19th December 1679 in the alley by the Lamb & Flag the poet John Dryden was nearly done to death by rogues hired by the Earl of Rochester.

Odd that the plaque gives the 19th and not the 18th as the date.

Site: Bowden & Dryden (3 memorials)

WC2, Rose Street, Lamb & Flag pub

This pub and the nearby streets are the subject of a post by the great A London Inheritance.

At around 8pm on 18 December 1679, Dryden was attacked in Rose Alley probably because, in his poem "An Essay upon Satire," he attacked amongst others King Charles II, one of the king's mistresses Louise De Keroualle, and the Earl of Rochester. It is generally thought that Rochester hired some henchmen to carry out the attack.

The pseudo-antique panel is on the ceiling of the passageway to the right (east) of the pub.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
John Dryden attacked

Subjects commemorated i

John Dryden

Poet and playwright. Born in Aldwincle, Northamptonshire. The first Poet Laur...

Read More

Earl of Rochester, John Wilmot

Poet, wit and courtier. Born Ditchley, Oxfordshire. The picture source websit...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
John Dryden attacked

Also at this site i

Emma Bowden

Emma Bowden

We've found confirmation that Emma was a real person (check the details on he...

Read More

Lamb & Flag - pub information board

Lamb & Flag - pub information board

This plaque implicates De Keroualle in the attack on Dryden whereas it's more...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Ken Campbell

Ken Campbell

IG10, Baldwin's Hill, 40, Swiss Cottage

The location of the plaque is difficult to photograph because of a large hedge in front of the house. It can just be seen under the eaves...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Scouting for boys re-published

Scouting for boys re-published

SW19, Windmill Road, Wimbledon Windmill Museum

The gray plaque is above theĀ entrance to the windmill museum; the brown plaque is at the centre of the four windows towards the left of o...

2 subjects commemorated
Verlaine and Rimbaud

Verlaine and Rimbaud

NW1, Royal College Street, 8

Chosen as our featured memorial in July 2004. The decadent relationship lived by this outrageous pair has left a trail of plaques across ...

2 subjects commemorated
Westminster Hall - George V Silver Jubilee

Westminster Hall - George V Silver Jubilee

SW1, St Margaret Street, Westminster Hall

Referring to the plaques on this second landing, as viewed by the people in our photo who are reading them the right way up: - at the lef...

2 subjects commemorated
Marie Taglioni

Marie Taglioni

W2, Connaught Square, 14

Marie Taglioni, 1809 - 1884, ballet dancer, lived here in 1875 - 1876. London County Council

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator