Plaque

Thomas Cromwell - SW15

Erection date: 25/10/2013

Inscription

Thomas Cromwell Chief Minister to Henry VIII, born c.1485, executed 1540 Tower Hill.
The Putney Society

The plaque fails to explain why it is on this particular spot.  Cromwell's family was based in Putney and he was brought up here but we can't find any exact addresses for him.  History On-line quotes a source saying Cromwell "was born in the village at a place which was described in 1617 as 'an ancient cottage called the Smith's shop, lying west of the highway leading from Putney to the upper gate, and on the south side of the highway from Richmond to Wandsworth, being the sign of the Anchor.'" That doesn't seem to describe this spot.  The plaque is very close to the river so perhaps Cromwell is thought to have accessed river transport at this site, but we are guessing.  Surely one of the first rules of plaquology is that plaques should be location-linked and the connection should be explained on the plaque?  Hrmph.

Plaque unveiled by the author Hilary Mantel, of course.

Site: Thomas Cromwell & the Castle pub (2 memorials)

SW15, Brewhouse Lane, 3

The Castle plaque is the lower of the three near the camera. The Cromwell plaque is just visible, one window bay to the left of the woman facing the camera.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Thomas Cromwell - SW15

Subjects commemorated i

Thomas Cromwell

Born Putney. Executed on Tower Hill by order of Henry VIII, while Henry marri...

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Thomas Cromwell - SW15

Created by i

Dame Hilary Mary Mantel, D.B.E., F.R.S.L.

Author. She has won the Booker Prize twice with 'Wolf Hall' (a fictional acco...

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This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
Thomas Cromwell - SW15

Also at this site i

Castle pub WW2 bomb

Castle pub WW2 bomb

This plaque has been placed here in memory of the 45 people who lost their li...

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