Early Knightsbridge Today, Knightsbridge and Belgravia are known
However, the name of Knightsbridge has also
for exclusivity, fashionable shopping and
been attributed to the story of two knights who
luxurious houses, but the early history of the area
were heading across the bridge at the River
couldn’t have been more different. Images of
Westbourne. The two knights fought to the death
shopping at Harrods and walking down Sloane
and from that time it was commonly known as
Street are replaced by open fields dominated by
the ‘Knights Bridge’. The early bridge over the
market gardens and at night it was a popular
river that gave the area its name formerly sat by
place for thieves and highwaymen.
today’s Albert Gate.
The early history dates back to the 11th century when it was recorded as ‘Kyngesburig’ or ‘Kyngesbrigg’ - Kings Bridge, which is believed to originate from the association with Edward the Confessor. The King held the lands here and, it is believed, built a bridge for the monks of Westminster, who were given portions of the land around Hyde Park and the River Westbourne.
02 the history of belgravia