The name Battersea (in medieval times Batricheseie, Batricesege or variants) is thought to relate to the gravel area next to the Thames where the church, manor house, and arable field were. Soon after the conquest, William the Conqueror gave it to Westminster Abbey, but until 1066 the manor of Battersea was the crown's property. It became central to supporting the monks at the Abbey.
Henry VIII decided to dissolve the monasteries in 1540, and the manor returned to crown ownership, but was eventually sold to the St John family. It was passed to the Spencer family in the late eighteenth century, and remains the family's property to this day.
Battersea was well known for the supply of vegetables, fruit and flowers to the London markets from the early seventeenth to the early nineteenth century, in addition to supplying plants to the colonies in America. The village nucleus itself was by the river, near the parish church, with various industries along the riverside.
Battersea's population increased hugely from 6,617 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901 due to the construction of railways and the resulting suburbanisation of London. By this time it was a Metropolitan Borough. Four railway companies occupied a large amount of the open land, and various new industries replaced the wharves and riverside windmills. These included Prices Candles, Morgan's Crucible works, Garton's Glucose factory, flour mills, breweries and the Nine Elms Gas Works. Battersea Park was built in time to rescue Thames-side Battersea from being overwhelmed by industry.
Suburban housing of much better quality was built along Battersea Rise and beyond after 1870, and was within reach of the commons. The north of the parish remained severely impoverished, however. Battersea remained relatively unchanged for the next half a century or so, until the Second World War bombing destroyed or damaged a lot of the riverside property in the borough.
A large part of this area was rebuilt after the Second World War, in a vast municipal rebuilding plan. At the same time, riverside industry to the west of Albert Bridge began to close down or relocate, and housing took its place - mostly high rise apartment developments, such as the Trade Tower on Plantation Wharf, targeted at young professionals working in London.
The Royal College of Arts continued expansion in Battersea has encouraged newer industries to move into the area, with the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station and the reinvention of Nine Elms, which the new US embassy will call home. As a result, property prices in the area are beginning to compete with those in nearby Kensington and Chelsea.
Estates such as Winstanley, Doddington and Patmore are still deprived areas, and despite the insatiable demand for cheaper social housing, this shows no indication of being met in the near future. The opening of an over ground line has improved transport links from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays and beyond. Much remains to be done, but there are many signs that positive change is around the corner for Battersea and the surrounding area.
Henry VIII decided to dissolve the monasteries in 1540, and the manor returned to crown ownership, but was eventually sold to the St John family. It was passed to the Spencer family in the late eighteenth century, and remains the family's property to this day.
Battersea was well known for the supply of vegetables, fruit and flowers to the London markets from the early seventeenth to the early nineteenth century, in addition to supplying plants to the colonies in America. The village nucleus itself was by the river, near the parish church, with various industries along the riverside.
Battersea's population increased hugely from 6,617 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901 due to the construction of railways and the resulting suburbanisation of London. By this time it was a Metropolitan Borough. Four railway companies occupied a large amount of the open land, and various new industries replaced the wharves and riverside windmills. These included Prices Candles, Morgan's Crucible works, Garton's Glucose factory, flour mills, breweries and the Nine Elms Gas Works. Battersea Park was built in time to rescue Thames-side Battersea from being overwhelmed by industry.
Suburban housing of much better quality was built along Battersea Rise and beyond after 1870, and was within reach of the commons. The north of the parish remained severely impoverished, however. Battersea remained relatively unchanged for the next half a century or so, until the Second World War bombing destroyed or damaged a lot of the riverside property in the borough.
A large part of this area was rebuilt after the Second World War, in a vast municipal rebuilding plan. At the same time, riverside industry to the west of Albert Bridge began to close down or relocate, and housing took its place - mostly high rise apartment developments, such as the Trade Tower on Plantation Wharf, targeted at young professionals working in London.
The Royal College of Arts continued expansion in Battersea has encouraged newer industries to move into the area, with the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station and the reinvention of Nine Elms, which the new US embassy will call home. As a result, property prices in the area are beginning to compete with those in nearby Kensington and Chelsea.
Estates such as Winstanley, Doddington and Patmore are still deprived areas, and despite the insatiable demand for cheaper social housing, this shows no indication of being met in the near future. The opening of an over ground line has improved transport links from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays and beyond. Much remains to be done, but there are many signs that positive change is around the corner for Battersea and the surrounding area.
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