The London Borough of Enfield was created in 1965 from the old boroughs of Enfield, Edmonton and Southgate. Its history includes Enfield Chase, set up by Geoffrey de Mandeville in the 1100s and enclosed in 1777; Enfield's market charter of 1303; Enfield Grammar School, founded in 1558; Forty Hall, built between 1629 and 1632; the writers Charles and Mary Lamb in Edmonton; the workhouse that became the North Middlesex Hospital; and the rebuilding of Edmonton's centre from 1965.
Oldest first
Newest first
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Middle Ages
1066 β 1485
1086
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Enfield and Edmonton in Domesday
The Domesday Book of 1086 recorded Enfield as Enefelde, which may mean 'open land of a man called Δana' or 'where lambs are reared'. Its manor belonged to Geoffrey de Mandeville, a powerful Norman given large estates by William the Conqueror. Edmonton is recorded as Adelmetone: 'a farmstead or estate of a man called Δadhelm'.
From the records: βEnfield was recorded in Domesday Book in 1086 as Enefelde, and as Einefeld in 1214, Enfeld in 1293, and Enfild in 1564: that is 'open land of a man called Δana', or 'where lambs are reared', from the Old English feld with an Old English personal name or with Old English Δan 'lamb'.β
1136
βͺ
St Andrew's Church
The earliest written evidence of St Andrew's Church in Enfield dates from 1136, when the parish and church were given to Walden Abbey in Essex. The Domesday Book records a priest holding about 30 acres in Enfield, so some think a priest may have served here even earlier.
From the records: βA priest is recorded in the Domesday Book as holding about 30 acres of land in Enfield, leading some to believe that a priest may have ministered there at St Andrew's Church in this period, although the earliest written evidence of the parish church in Enfield dates from when the parish of Enfield (dedicated to St Andrew) and St Andrew's Church were endowed to the monastery of Walden Abbey in Essex in 1136.β
around 1136β1144
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A chase for hunting
Geoffrey de Mandeville set up the chase: 'a tract of ground for breeding and hunting wild animals'. At first it was called Enfield Wood or Enfield Park. The name Enfield Chase was first recorded in 1325, as Enefeld Chacee. Domesday records suggest that in 1086 Middlesex was around 30% wooded, about double the English average.
From the records: βThe chase was established by Geoffrey de Mandeville around 1136-1144.β
1303
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Enfield's market
King Edward I granted a charter letting Humphrey de Bohun and his wife hold a market in Enfield every Monday, and two fairs a year: one on St Andrew's Day and one in September. In 1617 King James I granted another charter, to a charitable trust, for a Saturday market. The weekly market has continued to this day.
From the records: βIn 1303, King Edward I granted a charter to Humphrey de Bohun and his wife to hold a weekly market in Enfield each Monday, and James I granted another in 1617, to a charitable trust, for a Saturday market.β
1471
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The Duchy takes the Chase
For hundreds of years Enfield Chase was owned by the Mandeville family and then the de Bohun family. In 1471 it passed to the Duchy of Lancaster.
From the records: βFor hundreds of years the Chase was owned by the Mandeville and then the de Bohun families before passing to the Duchy of Lancaster in 1471.β
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Tudors and Stuarts
1485 β 1714
1547
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A princess on the Chase
Edward VI granted his sister, Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I), the estate of West Lodge Park. It is believed that she often hunted on the Chase.
From the records: βIt is believed that Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I) often hunted on the Chase after she was granted the estate of West Lodge Park by her brother Edward VI in 1547.β
1558
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Enfield Grammar School
Enfield Grammar School was founded in 1558. It still uses its Tudor building, now often called the Old Hall.
From the records: βThe borough is home to the well-renowned Enfield Grammar School, founded in 1558, which still uses its Tudor building which is now often referred to as the Old Hall.β
late 1500s or early 1600s
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Salisbury House
Salisbury House in Bury Street West, Lower Edmonton, dates from the late 1500s or early 1600s. Apart from All Saints' Church, it is the oldest building in Edmonton. It was a home and then a school; Edmonton council bought it in 1936, and in 1957 it became an arts centre, the first provided by a local council in London. In 1992 it underwent a major restoration.
From the records: βSalisbury House in Bury Street West, Lower Edmonton dates from the late 16th/early 17th century, and is the oldest building in Edmonton apart from All Saints' Church.β
1615
βͺ
Weld Chapel
Weld Chapel in Southgate was built in 1615. It was demolished in 1863, and a later church was built on its site.
From the records: βThis was built on the site of Weld Chapel, which was built in 1615 and demolished in 1863.β
1629β1632
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Forty Hall is built
Forty Hall was built between 1629 and 1632. It is generally said to have been built by Sir Nicholas Rainton, a wealthy London haberdasher who was Lord Mayor of London from 1632 to 1633. But a writer called Tuff said in 1858 that Sir Hugh Fortee built it and Rainton bought it. The square house was not altered much in the 1600s apart from a small extension in 1636, yet from outside it looks like a house of the 1700s.
From the records: βThe house was built between 1629 and 1632.β
1640
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No loan for the King
Sir Nicholas Rainton of Forty Hall was imprisoned for refusing to help King Charles I raise a loan. He died in 1646, aged 77, and was buried at St Andrew's Church in Enfield.
From the records: βIn 1640 Rainton was imprisoned for refusing to help Charles I raise a loan.β
1659
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Parliament sells the Chase
During the Interregnum, Parliament needed money, so it sold off large parts of Enfield Chase to parliamentarian army officers and other influential people.
From the records: βIn 1659, during the Interregnum, desperate for funds, parliament sold off large parts of the chase to a number of parliamentarian army officers and other influential figures.β
around 1670
ποΈ
Enfield Palace
Enfield Palace was used as a private school from around 1670 until the late 1800s. Its last remains were knocked down in 1928 for an extension to Pearson's department store, but a panelled room with a plaster ceiling and a stone fireplace survives, moved to a house in Gentleman's Row.
From the records: βIt was used as a private school from around 1670 until the late nineteenth century.β
The situation on Enfield Chase, and lobbying by its rangers (men who had bought ranger jobs and wanted to make money from them), was a major factor in Robert Walpole's government bringing in the Black Act of 1723. It was not fully repealed until 1823.
From the records: βThe situation in Enfield Chase, and the lobbying of Enfield Chase rangers (men who had bought lucrative βrangerβ positions in the Duchy organisation and wanted to maximise return on their investment) such as Sir Basil Firebrace and Major General John Pepper was a major factor in leading Robert Walpole's Whig government introducing the Black Act of 1723.β
around 1730
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Angel Place
Angel Place in Edmonton is a terrace of linked houses from around 1730, now Grade II* listed. They were altered in the mid-1800s, and three of them were restored in the 1980s.
From the records: βA circa 1730 terrace of linked Grade II* Listed Buildings which were altered in the middle of the 19th century. 185, 187 and 189 were extensively restored in the 1980s to include the formation of an arch at 187 Angel Place with prize-winning gardens behind.β
1777
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The Chase is enclosed
The Enfield Chase Act 1777 enclosed (privatised) the Chase. Common rights, such as access, collecting wood and grazing, came to an end. A survey of 1776/7 showed the Chase covered 8,349 acres. King George III leased its central part to Sir Richard Jebb, his favourite doctor, as a reward for saving the life of the King's younger brother.
From the records: βBy the Enfield Chase Act 1777 (17 Geo. 3. c. 17), the Chase was enclosed (privatised), and common rights, including the right of access, wood collection and grazing, were extinguished.β
1820
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Whitaker's Almanack
Joseph Whitaker, a publisher and the founder of Whitaker's Almanack, lived at the White House in Silver Street from 1820 until his death in 1895. The house is now a doctors' surgery.
From the records: βThe White House in Silver Street β now a doctors' surgery β was the home of Joseph Whitaker, publisher and founder of Whitaker's Almanack; he lived there from 1820 until his death in 1895.β
1826
βοΈ
A stone market cross
There were attempts to revive Enfield's market: one in 1778 failed, and in 1826 a stone Gothic market cross was put up to replace the octagonal wooden market house. Trading started again in the 1870s. By 1904 the cross had decayed, and a new wooden structure was built to replace it.
From the records: βThere were sporadic attempts to revive it: an unsuccessful one of 1778 is recorded, and in 1826 a stone Gothic market cross was erected to replace the octagonal wooden market house, demolished sixteen years earlier.β
1826β1851
ποΈ
The Crescent
The Crescent, a terrace of 25 Georgian houses on the Hertford Road in Edmonton, was built by a London solicitor. By the late 1800s most of the houses had been split into flats.
From the records: βA terrace of twenty-five Georgian houses in the Hertford Road, built between 1826 and 1851 by a London solicitor.β
1829
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Southgate Green
South Street was a small medieval settlement that grew up around a village green. By 1829 it had joined up with its neighbouring settlement, and the village green became today's Southgate Green.
From the records: βA little further to the south was another small medieval settlement called South Street which had grown up around a village green; by 1829 the two settlements had merged and the village green became today's Southgate Green.β
1833β1834
βοΈ
Charles and Mary Lamb
The writers Charles and Mary Lamb lived in a cottage in Edmonton, in what is now the Church Street conservation area, from 1833 to 1834. The cottage is believed to have been built in the 1680s.
From the records: βThe cottage is believed to have been built in the 1680s and is located in the Church Street conservation area.β
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Victorians
1837 β 1901
1837β1850
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The Edmonton Union
Local government in the modern sense began in Edmonton in 1837 with the Edmonton Union, set up under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834. In 1842 the Edmonton Board of Guardians built the Edmonton Union Workhouse. In 1850 a local board was formed for the parish of Edmonton: an elected board that oversaw public health and the provision of infrastructure.
From the records: βLocal government in the modern sense began in 1837 with the Edmonton Union, set up under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834.β
1869
πͺ
The September fair stops
Enfield's September fair was stopped at the request of local tradesmen, clergy and others. According to the local historian Pete Eyre, it had become 'a source of immorality and disorder, and a growing nuisance to the inhabitants'.
From the records: βThe latter was suppressed in 1869 at the request of local tradesmen, clergy and other prominent citizens, having become, according to the local historian Pete Eyre, "a source of immorality and disorder, and a growing nuisance to the inhabitants".β
1871
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Trains and new houses
Enfield station opened on the Great Northern line (it was renamed Enfield Chase station in 1924). Then came the first long period of housebuilding on old Chase land, starting with cottages along Chase Side in the 1880s. It speeded up after new stations opened at Gordon Hill and Crews Hill in 1910.
From the records: βThe opening of Enfield station on the Great Northern line in 1871 (renamed Enfield Chase station in 1924 to avoid confusion with Enfield Town station) resulted in the first period of sustained housebuilding on former Chase lands.β
1881β1894
βοΈ
Southgate splits off
The Edmonton district was divided, and its western part became a separate district called Southgate. In 1894, under the Local Government Act 1894, such districts became urban districts, and Southgate became an urban district of Middlesex.
From the records: βThe Edmonton district was divided in 1881, when its western part was made a separate district called Southgate.β
1884
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Edmonton Town Hall
Edmonton Town Hall, with battlements along its top, was built to the designs of George Eedes Eachus. It was demolished in 1989.
From the records: βThe crenelated perpendicular Edmonton Town Hall was built in 1884 to the designs of George Eedes Eachus.β
1889
β‘οΈ
Edmonton Federation Cemetery
Edmonton Federation Cemetery, a roughly triangular Jewish cemetery, was founded on land given by Samuel Montagu. The site also includes the Western Synagogue Cemetery, founded in 1884.
From the records: βThe roughly triangular shaped Jewish cemetery was founded in 1889 with land given by Samuel Montagu.β
1894
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New owners for Forty Hall
Henry Carrington Bowles of the neighbouring Myddelton House bought Forty Hall for his son, Major Henry Ferryman Bowles, who became MP for Enfield.
From the records: βIn 1894 the hall was bought by Henry Carrington Bowles of the neighbouring Myddelton House for his son Major Henry Ferryman Bowles (1858β1943), MP for Enfield and later 1st Baronet Bowles.β
1897
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Edmonton's library
A public library opened on Fore Street, Edmonton. By its main entrance were portrait plaques of Charles Lamb and John Keats, made by George Frampton in 1908. The library closed in 1991, and the Grade II listed building is now a religious and community centre.
From the records: βThe former public library (closed 1991) opened in 1897 at Fore Street.β
βοΈ
The World Wars
1901 β 1945
1915
π₯
From workhouse to hospital
A separate infirmary block had opened at the old Edmonton Union Workhouse in 1910. During the First World War, much of the building was taken over as a military hospital. It returned to civilian use in 1920 and was renamed the North Middlesex Hospital.
From the records: βBuilt in 1842 by the Edmonton Board of Guardians as the Edmonton Union Workhouse.β
1922
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Marie Lloyd's last show
Marie Lloyd gave her last stage performance at the Empire Music Hall in Edmonton.
From the records: βThe Empire Music Hall was the venue for Marie Lloyd's last stage performance in 1922.β
1933β1955
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Three boroughs
Southgate became a municipal borough in 1933, Edmonton in 1937 and Enfield in 1955.
From the records: βEach of the three urban districts was later raised to the status of a municipal borough: Southgate in 1933,β
1936β1937
πΎ
Saving the countryside
In the 1930s the countryside of Enfield was being rapidly built over. In 1936β7 Middlesex County Council bought around 4,000 hectares to protect it for the people of Enfield.
From the records: βIn the 1930s the countryside of Enfield and surrounding areas was being rapidly urbanised.β
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Modern times
Since 1945
1965
πΊοΈ
The London Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield was created under the London Government Act 1963. It covered the old boroughs of Enfield, Edmonton and Southgate, which were all abolished at the same time.
From the records: βThe modern borough was created in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963, covering the combined area of the former boroughs of Enfield, Edmonton and Southgate, which were all abolished at the same time.β
1965β1974
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A new Edmonton centre
Building began on a new town centre at Edmonton, to a 1960 plan by Frederick Gibberd & Partners. It had a pedestrian shopping area, car parking for 3,000 and 750 flats, including three 25-storey tower blocks: Grampian House, Mendip House and Pennine House. Plans for new civic buildings were dropped, and the work was finished in 1974.
From the records: βComprehensive redevelopment of the area was agreed in 1960, to a plan by Frederick Gibberd & Partners for a radically transformed urban centre with a pedestrian shopping area, car parking for 3000, 750 flats including three 25-storey tower blocks (Grampian House, Mendip House and Pennine House) and new civic and amenity buildings to replace the old town hall and baths.β
1967
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A cash machine
On 27 June 1967 a cash machine was installed at the local branch of Barclays Bank in Enfield. It was opened by the actor Reg Varney, who lived in Enfield.
From the records: βIt was installed at the local branch of Barclays Bank on 27 June 1967 and was opened by actor and Enfield resident Reg Varney.β
1979
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Millfield House
Millfield House, a house from the late 1700s, had been a workhouse school, a hospital and a refugee centre before it closed in 1971. It re-opened as an arts centre in 1979, alongside the Millfield Theatre.
From the records: βMillfield House is late-18th-century house used as a workhouse school, hospital and a refugee centre before closing in 1971.β
1994
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A special landscape
Enfield Chase was named a Heritage Area of Special Character, for its landscape, its history and its nature.
From the records: βThe Enfield Chase Heritage Area of Special Character (AoSC) was designated in 1994, following the recommendation of the Countryside Commission, English Nature, English Heritage and the London Ecology Unit, based on its combined landscape, historical and nature conservation interests.β
2010β2012
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Forty Hall reopens
Forty Hall closed to the public in late 2010 for a major redevelopment, paid for by Enfield Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. It reopened on 30 June 2012. BBC One's Antiques Roadshow was filmed there for two episodes shown in 2021 and another in July 2024.
From the records: βThe Hall closed to the public in late 2010 for a major redevelopment project funded by Enfield Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.β
2020β2022
π±
100,000 new trees
The first phase of the Enfield Chase Restoration Project, from autumn 2020 to 2022, planted 100,000 trees. In May 2022 the project won an award at the London Tree and Woodland Awards.
From the records: βThe first phase of the project, which commenced in autumn 2020 and was completed in 2022, involved the planting of 100,000 trees.β