Perhaps Kennington’s greatest claim to fame lies not in grand palaces but in its evolution from royal manor to a vibrant London district. Kennington appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Chenintune. It evolved over time to become Kenintone in 1229 and Kenyngton in 1263. Some believe the name means farmstead of a man named Cēna. Others say it means place of the King.
Kennington’s story is one of transformation. It was once a royal manor in Surrey. Now it thrives as a mainly Lambeth district. Its proximity to central London fueled its growth into a residential suburb. By 1855, it was part of London’s metropolitan area.
In 1337, Edward III gifted Kennington Manor to his son, the Black Prince. The Prince erected a grand palace near Kennington Cross. For a time, Kennington was favored by royalty. John of Gaunt sought refuge here in 1377. Geoffrey Chaucer worked at Kennington in 1389. Henry IV and Henry VI occasionally resided here. Catherine of Aragon even stayed at Kennington Palace in 1501.
But royal favor is fleeting. In 1531, Henry VIII ordered the dismantling of Kennington Palace. Its materials were used for the construction of Whitehall Palace. Despite the loss of its palace, the monarch’s eldest son still owns the historical manor of Kennington. The Duchy of Cornwall maintains a considerable property portfolio in the area.
The 18th century brought considerable change to Kennington. Once a village on London’s southern roads, it also had a common for public executions. In 1746, Jacobite rebels faced their gruesome end at Kennington Common. Yet, Kennington gained recognition. In 1726, Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, assumed the title Earl of Kennington.
Access to London transformed Kennington. The construction of Westminster Bridge in 1750 spurred development. Kennington Road followed in 1751 linking Kennington Common and Westminster Bridge Road. By the 1770s, Kennington was taking shape. Houses lined Kennington Road. Cleaver Square emerged in 1788. Architect Michael Searles built houses along Kennington Park Road in the 1790s.
Kennington Common evolved from ill-repute to public space. Attempts to build a canal basin failed. The Common was no longer for grazing. It became a rubbish dump. St Mark’s Church was built on the site of the gallows in 1824. In 1852, the Common was enclosed becoming the first public park in south London.
The Oval cricket ground arrived in 1845. Surrey County Cricket Club leased the land from the Duchy of Cornwall. The adjacent gasometers were built in 1853.
Kennington faced challenges in the 19th century. Overpopulation led to disease. Yet, the area also saw progress. The Durning Library, designed by S Sidney R J Smith, opened in 1889. A public convenience built in 1898 is now an arts venue. Charlie Chaplin may have used it as a boy.
Kennington station opened in 1890. Charles Booth’s poverty map revealed the area’s disparity. Some streets were middle class while others were poor.
Decline and gentrification marked the 20th century. Middle-class families moved to the suburbs. Houses became flats for lower-paid workers. In 1913, Maud Pember Reeves surveyed social conditions. She found poverty amidst respectability. The Duchy of Cornwall redeveloped land from 1915.
Kennington station was remodeled in 1925. Tram and bus routes converged here. St Mark’s became the tramwayman’s church. By the 1930s, the Duchy continued redevelopment. Louis de Soissons designed buildings in Neo-Georgian style.
A tragic event occurred in 1940. A bomb struck the air-raid shelter beneath Kennington Park. Many lives were lost. In 1968, Lambeth Council designated much of Kennington a Conservation Area. Restoration efforts enhanced Cleaver Square.
Today, Kennington has experienced gentrification. Its location and transport links make it attractive. Victorian villas have become luxury flats. Once again, families are reuniting subdivided properties. Kennington is a vibrant mix of old and new, decline and revival, palace and park. Kennington is a place where history continues to unfold.