Discover Putney’s Hidden History: Puppets, Debates & Duels
A Picaresque Putney Pootle” embarks on a delightful, on-location journey through Putney’s rich and varied history, revealing its unexpected connections to cultural figures and pivotal events. The article highlights Fred Russell, “the father of modern ventriloquism,” whose Blue Plaque commemorates his long career from Victorian London into the television age. Putney, it turns out, is a surprising “hotbed of puppets,” having hosted Gerry “Thunderbirds” Anderson and Jim “Muppets” Henson in the same workshop, and being twice home to Mary Shelley, creator of Frankenstein’s monster. Additionally, Festing Road is celebrated as the real-life “Festive Road” from the beloved Mr. Benn children’s show, a tribute to its creator, David McKee.
Beyond these artistic ties, Putney boasts deep historical roots, its name tracing back to Anglo-Saxon times as “Putta’s landing place.” It was the birthplace of Thomas Cromwell in the late 15th century, though little remains from his era save for parts of St Mary’s Church. This ancient church, dating to the 13th century, was famously the scene of the 1647 Putney Debates, a landmark discussion during the English Civil War that raised the then-radical idea of universal male suffrage. Putney also serves as the historic start line for the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races.
Further historical layers are uncovered with Putney Bridge, where Mary Wollstonecraft famously attempted suicide in 1795, and whose current iteration was designed by London’s sewer architect, Joseph Bazalgette. The high street itself has a history of paving disputes from the 17th century. High above, Putney Heath reveals its past as a military parade ground for Charles II and a favored dueling spot for 18th-century figures, including Prime Ministers William Pitt and George Canning, who may have sought “Dutch courage” at the 300-year-old Green Man pub. The article concludes, having painted a vibrant picture of Putney’s multifaceted past.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/a-picaresque-putney-pootle)
