Montagu House, Blackheath


Montagu House was a prominent residence situated at the southwest corner of Greenwich Park, overlooking the common at Blackheath in what is today southeast London. Adjacent to the Ranger's House, it was the royal residence of Caroline of Brunswick before being demolished in 1815.

History

The house was built as a country residence for Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu in the late 17th century. Two adjacent buildings, Montagu House and Park Corner House, were constructed, with the latter being occupied for a time by a George Moult and the subject of a drawing by Paul Sandby now held by the British Museum.
The former slave and writer, Ignatius Sancho, was for two years butler to the family of John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu at Montagu House, returning to the family's service in 1766 as valet to the duke's son-in-law.
Leased from the Duchess of Buccleuch, Montagu House later became the residence of the estranged wife of the Prince Regent. Caroline of Brunswick lived in the house from 1799 to 1812 after she had given birth to Princess Charlotte, who lived with a governess at the nearby mansion of the Duchess of Brunswick. A contemporary account by a Miss Aikin described Montagu House:

The Delicate Investigation

Montagu House was the location of alleged affairs between Queen Caroline and various lovers, investigated as part of "The Delicate Investigation" in 1806 and which heard testimony from neighbours in Greenwich, Major-General Sir John Douglas and his wife Charlotte. Lady Douglas became Caroline's companion, living for a time at Montagu House before their friendship broke down, and rumours about scandalous events at the house began to circulate; Lady Douglas alleged that Caroline had admitted to having had an illegitimate child, William Austin. A secretive investigation cleared Caroline of adultery but questioned other aspects of Caroline's behaviour. However, public sympathy tended to side with Caroline; an 1813 cartoon following the "Delicate Investigation" showed the ridiculed Sir John and Lady Douglas being led to a pillory erected outside Montagu House.
All the Montagu House buildings were demolished in 1815. A rear wall, now part of the Park wall, survives as does, inside the Park, a plunge bath called 'Queen Caroline's bath', previously situated in an area enclosed by Caroline when she created a lawn and pleasure ground after being appointed Ranger of Greenwich Park in 1806. Plaques commemorating Caroline and Sancho are set in the wall nearby.