Pickering Place
Pickering Place in London is the city's smallest public square, famous for hosting the Republic of Texas legation from 1842 to 1845 above a Saint James's wine shop. Built on land once used for Henry VIII's real tennis courts, the gas-lit square saw 18th-century duelling and secret 1840s cellar meetings by future Emperor Napoleon III. In 1986, twenty-six visitors in buckskin clothing finally settled an unpaid £160 rent bill left behind by Texan diplomats.
London · from the walk “Secret London: Hidden Alleys, Ancient Stones & Forgotten Stories” · audio ~4 min · Generated
Pickering Place, St James's Street, London SW1A 1ER
- The Republic of Texas operated its diplomatic legation at Pickering Place from 1842 until 1845.
- An outstanding £160 rent debt owed to Berry Brothers was finally paid in 1986 by twenty-six Anglo-Texan Society members.
- Future Emperor Louis Napoleon used the 18th-century cellars beneath Pickering Place for clandestine political meetings during the 1840s.
- President Houston appointed Secretary of State Dr. Ashbel Smith as the Texan representative to England in the 1840s.
What historical connection does Pickering Place in London have to the Republic of Texas?
Look for the narrow passageway just ahead... the one with dark wooden panelling and small gold letters spelling "Pickering Place." Step through it, and you'll leave the twenty first century behind entirely.......... Hidden behind the historic frontage at number three Saint James's Street sits Pickering Place... London's smallest public square. It's barely the size of a tennis court. And that comparison is more apt than you might think... because this land was once part of Henry the Eighth's real tennis courts, annexed to his residence at Saint James's Palace.......... Now, as you emerge into this tiny courtyard, notice the Georgian terraces, the original gas lamps, and those wrought iron railings. This is one of the few parts of London still lit by gas lighting. But don't let the charm fool you.......... Despite its new high society neighbors, Pickering Place was a hotbed of illicit activity during the eighteenth century. Surrounded by tall buildings and with dark corners to hide unscrupulous activities, it was renowned for gambling, bear baiting, cock fighting, bare-knuckle boxing... and duelling. The walls kept the secrets in... and the Bow Street Runners Out.......... Beau Brummell, a bon vivant well known in the area and a customer of Berry Brothers, is even rumoured to have participated in a duel here. Though the folks at Berry Brothers themselves note — given the chap notoriously took five hours to get ready every day, they can scarcely believe he would have found the time!......... Now, look for the small brass plaque near the entrance of the passageway. It reads: "Republic of Texas... Texas Legation. In this building was the legation for the ministers from the Republic of Texas to the Court of Saint James, eighteen forty two to eighteen forty five." That's right... the Republic of Texas had its diplomatic mission right Here, above a wine shop! After Texas declared its independence in eighteen thirty six, President Houston was eager to gain international support, and he established legations in Washington, Paris, and London. He sent Secretary of State Doctor Ashbel Smith to serve as the Texas representative to England.......... And here's the best part. When Texas joined the Union in eighteen forty five, the Texan delegation departed the capital... leaving a one hundred and sixty pound rent bill outstanding to their landlords at Berry Brothers! It wasn't settled until nineteen eighty six, when twenty six members of the Anglo-Texan Society visited the wine shop, dressed in full buckskins, to settle the outstanding debt.......... And one More secret lurks beneath your feet. The cellars beneath the wine shop date from the early eighteenth century. Louis Napoleon, later to become Emperor Napoleon the Third, held clandestine meetings here during his exile in the eighteen forties, plotting his return to France. So imagine this tiny space in the eighteen forties... Texan diplomats upstairs, a future French Emperor scheming in the cellar, and gentlemen settling grudges with pistols in the courtyard. All hidden behind a wine shop that's Still serving customers today.