THIS IS FINDON — www.findonvillage.com  created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

ROYALTY IN THE AREA DURING THE TIME OF

WILLIAM FRANKLAND

Princess Amelia with her retinue in Worthing — from a painting by Lance Cattermole.

Copyright Valerie Martin 2002.

First Published in the Findon News in November 2002.

On 1st August 1798, Princess Amelia, youngest daughter (and 15th child) of King George III and sister of the Prince Regent, arrived in Worthing.  She was a physically delicate girl, in poor health and seeking a respite from claustrophobic London.  Her health had recently deteriorated after she contracted an affliction of the knee.  The royal family’s doctors advised a course of sea water bathing, and Worthing, probably because of its mild climate and accessibility, was chosen for her treatment.  The resort was recommended to her in lieu of Brighton because of the easy beach and extensive sands — it was only in the last century that the sand became covered with the familiar pebbles of today.

A court official at the palace had been less than diligent in arranging the royal visit.  Too late, her retinue discovered that Worthing lacked a single property even remotely suitable for a princess and her ladies.  The best the town could offer was to lodge the royal party in two adjacent houses close to the sea and have them rapidly converted into one.

A gentleman by the name of Mr. Strynger (who had served as a governor of the Bank of England) lived at Summer House in Worthing.  When he learned of the Princess’s hurriedly adapted holiday accommodation and that it lacked any kind of garden, he curried royal favour and offered his grounds for the exclusive use of the princess.  Very soon the princess was relaxing under her parasol on Mr. Strynger’s lawns.  If you live locally and have occasion to walk down Montague Place, think of Princess Amelia — as the tarmac and pavements are the site where she once sat.

The above is Worthing seafront at the time of Princess Amelia’s visit, showing Montpelier Terrace on the left,  and the Summer house (where she spent a lot of her time) with its grounds extending to the edge of the beach, and Bath Buildings.   There was no seafront roadway at this time and Worthing could only be described as rather a straggling village.  The Summer House has long-since been demolished.

On the day following Amelia's arrival, the Derbyshire Militia, 120 strong, arrived from the nearby Clapham Common and encamped nearby to serve as her bodyguard.

Accompanying the princess was Fanny Russell, a Lady of the Bedchamber and distant aunt to William Frankland of Muntham Court in Findon.  It would be nice to think that the two relatives met each other during that summer — but this idea is just wishful thinking on my part.    It is of course possible that the royal party may have dropped off to see William for refreshments en route.  A nice story, even if I can not confirm it.

The royal visit may also have affected William in another way.  During her stay in Worthing Amelia celebrated a birthday on 8th August 1798 and the local churches rang their bells.  Royal salutes were fired offshore by HMS "Fly", a sloop stationed locally to guard the coast — it was answered by a volley from the Militia drawn up on the beach — and was heard all over Findon.   In the evening illuminations lit up the skies.  No doubt William Frankland up in the Findon hills heard and saw the celebrations.

During the Princess's visit, news reached William Frankland of Nelson's great victory over Napoleon's fleet in the Battle of the Nile.   The villagers again then heard further gun salutes from the south from the HMS "Fly".

Continue if you would like to read I Am Descended From Oliver Cromwell.

This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.