Blake's_Cottage

Blake's Cottage

Blake's Cottage

House in Felpham, West Sussex

Blake's Cottage stands in the village of Felpham, West Sussex. The house dates from the 17th century. Its name commemorates the occupancy of the poet William Blake, who lived in the cottage from 1800 to 1803. During his time at the house, Blake wrote the verses "And did those feet in ancient time", the preface to his Milton: A Poem in Two Books, which were later set to music as the hymn "Jerusalem". The cottage, now owned by a trust, is a Grade II* listed building.

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History and description

William Hayley, poet and biographer of his friend William Cowper, began the construction of a house, called The Turret, at Felpham in 1798. In 1800, he invited William Blake, and his wife Catherine, to the village to illustrate his own works.[1] Blake remained at Felpham for three years, residing at his "cot" south of the village church. During his residence Blake wrote much of Milton: A Poem in Two Books, the preface of which was subsequently adapted into the hymn "Jerusalem".[2] The cottage is now managed by the Blake's Cottage Trust[3] which bought the building in 2015.[4] The trust has sought to raise funds to undertake restoration of the cottage[5] but this has proved challenging.[6] In 2017 the trust appointed architects to undertake reconstruction and redevelopment[7] though their plans have generated some local opposition.[8][9] In November 2021 concerns regarding the fabric of the building saw the cottage being placed on the 2021 Heritage at Risk Register.[10] The trust aims to complete renovation of the cottage by 2027, the bicentenary of Blake's death.[11]

The original cottage dates from the 17th century.[1] It is of two storeys and is constructed of cob, flint and brick with a thatched roof. It is a Grade II* listed building.[12]

References

  1. [1]
    Williamson et al. 2019, pp. 377–378.
  2. [2]
    Whittaker, Jason (26 December 2019). "Almost everything you know about the hymn Jerusalem is wrong". Prospect Magazine.
  3. [3]
    "The Blake Cottage Trust – Charity 1160716". Charity Commission. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  4. [4]
    Cripps, Charlotte (18 July 2014). "William Blake's cottage for sale". The Independent.
  5. [5]
    "Blake's Cottage – If a thing loves it is infinite". Blake Cottage Trust. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  6. [6]
    Brooks, Richard (25 August 2019). "The future looks bleak for the restoration of William Blake's cottage". The Guardian.
  7. [7]
    "Blake's Cottage". Mica Architects. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  8. [8]
    "New concerns over cottage". Bognor Regis Post. 20 February 2018.
  9. [9]
    "Save Blake's Cottage". 38 Degrees. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  10. [10]
    Sherwood, Harriet (4 November 2021). "William Blake Cottage at risk of being lost". The Guardian.
  11. [11]
    Fuller, Christian (4 November 2021). "Poet William Blake's Jerusalem cottage among sites at risk of being lost forever". The Brighton Argus.
  12. [12]
    Historic England. "Blake's Cottage (Grade II*) (1353792)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 November 2021.

Sources
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