Lady Nelson & Swaffham

appear · **Joined:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:51 pm **Posts:** 62

Re the book, ‘Ribbons from the Pedlar’s Pack’ by Ben Ripper published 1972 & 1979. This book charts the history of Swaffham, Norfolk.
In one section, Ben Ripper refers to Lady Nelson and Montpelier House. He quotes from visitors to Swaffham writing:

Quote:

“In the eighteenth century Swaffham was described as the Montpelier of England, and that lovely graceful Georgian building which dominates the market-place, ‘Montpelier House’ is a house to crown all houses, with its perfect proportions, its square flints and yellow bricks.”

Ripper wrote:

Quote:

“that when Fanny Nelson visited or lodged at Swaffham and the owner of the house may have named or renamed it Montpelier in her honour and to remind her of her lovely former home.”

I must have a close look at this house next time I drive through Swaffham.

tycho · **Posted:** Fri Aug 05, 2011 2:40 pm

Thanks for the snippet of information. Montpelier was a name often used in England at that time - Cheltenham and Llandrindod Wells both have Montpelier areas.

Swaffham is a lovely town - I'm not surprised Fanny took herself off there when Nelson went to sea. It must have seemed a merry-go-round of entertainment after the isolation of Burnham.

Here's a nice picture of the Buttercross

http://tinyurl.com/3vdthh7

Cricket · **Joined:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:18 pm **Posts:** 33

Bristol has a Montpelier too - parts of it are Georgian and it was once quite smart, as was neighbouring St. Pauls!

Caitlin

appear · **Joined:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:51 pm **Posts:** 62

I thought the forum might be interested to see a photo of Montpelier House where Lady Nelson stayed in Swaffham and the plaque on the building.

torfrida · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:48 pm

Thanks for the photos. I note it is on the Market Place and I recognise the building from those. We often go to Swaffham Market on a Saturday, as my town is on a direct bus link between Peterborough and Lowestoft. I will have a better look at the building next time.

Swaffham is full of interesting buildings, needless to say.

- Mil -

Nelson & His World

Lady Nelson & Swaffham

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